Guiding Council
Pomegranate Place Guidance Council members are professional women who volunteer their time and expertise to support the activities of Pomegranate Place, foster its vision, and oversee the vetting process for Affiliate Guides. Each Guidance Council member has been assigned a specific area of oversight. Please feel free to contact them with questions or concerns.
Founder
Vaun Swanson ( vaun@pomegranateplace.org ), D.Min., is the catalyst behind Pomegranate Place. Having served in helping professions for the past 30 years, she recognizes both the challenges women face and the potential they have for changing our world for the better. Inspired by women in history, awakened by sisters in third-world countries, and grateful for awesome mentors, she offers opportunities for women to connect and grow.
Spiritual Direction
Phyllis Klein, Ph.D. ( phyllis@pomegranateplace.org ), has been a college teacher of English literature and language. Challenged by the way these fields connect to the spiritual life, she studied further at Denver Seminary and in the Benedictine Program for Spiritual Formation. Books, nature, friends, family, and a large gray cat are among her teachers. She serves as a companion to people on their spiritual journeys, volunteers with Spiritual Direction Colorado, offers spiritual guidance in her home office, and is part of the leadership team at Ecclesia Denver.
Life Coaching
Vicki Kinney Petersen ( vicki@vickikinneypetersen.com ), MSW, is a Life and Leadership Coach. Vicki helps women realize their full potential by changing behavior, overcoming obstacles, navigating transitions and balancing life. Her work with individuals and groups focuses on integrating actions, language and vision. Building a foundation of thoughtful practice and awareness, clients identify goals and walk the journey of achieving their purpose. Vicki is a writer, speaker and retreat leader who has lived and worked throughout the US and many developing countries. She is recognized for her diverse body of work, specializing in women, for over 30 years.
Creative Expressions Studio
Cara Harjes ( cara@pomegranateplace.org ), M.A., is a cultural creative living in Denver with her cute husband Herb. She is an artist, a writer, a counselor and a flipper of the best blueberry cottage cheese pancakes this side of the Mississip’! Cara believes that life and relationships are lovely but not always easy, so living each simple moment as creatively and playfully as possible goes a long way in making this one life we have a total joy.
Volunteers
Meredith Bishop ( Meredith.h.bishop@accenture.com ), B.B.A., is the consummate people person. She loves getting to know new people and helping them identify their passion and connect into roles that will serve that passion. She does this in her Human Resources role at a large global IT consulting company and also in her role as the Pomegranate Place Volunteer Coordinator.