About Us
Amethyst Foundation Board of Directors
Board Officers:
Lizabeth Kurtyka, President
Liz serves as President of the Amethyst Foundation Board of Directors. She’s been involved with the administration of Amethyst since 2018. Currently Liz manages administrative services and personal retreats. She is on the event planning team and also managed the Children in Nature Program from 2021-2023. Earning degrees in social welfare and elementary education from Shepherd University and Wilson College respectively, she has worked as a social worker, English as a Second Language paraprofessional, and classroom teacher. She has volunteered in several capacities over the years, including assisting with the resettlement of refugees intermittently since 2001.
Zoe Miner, Treasurer
Zoe officially transitioned into her role as Treasurer in August 2023 and also serves as Amethyst’s Grants Manager. Zoe earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Villanova University. She has work experience in healthcare and state government. Zoe started her personal spiritual journey in 2017, which is how she found Amethyst, and has been involved ever since. She is passionate about self-growth, sacred connection, providing safe spaces, empowering others, and improving her community. Zoe is certified in Mental Health First Aid, trained as a Wild Woman Project circle leader, and is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance.
Don Kovacs, Secretary
Don serves Amethyst as Secretary of the Board and Property Manager. One of his passions at Amethyst is caring for the Forest Sanctuary & sharing guided forest walks with guests. He has been a previous guide at Amethyst’s silent retreat events and volunteers during the Jr. Trackers program. Don has found Amethyst to be a spiritual community where he can experience wonderful human connection, where many people are giving loving service with joy, and where there's always good food to eat.
Board Trustees:
Natalie Lain
Natalie is a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board, serves as Amethyst’s Executive Director of Business Operations, manages Amethyst’s Main House care on volunteer days, maintains the website, and handles all of Amethyst’s social media, graphic design, and marketing. She has served as a Trustee of the Amethyst Board since 2021. Natalie has an Associate’s degree in Business from Harrisburg Area Community College. She has over 8 years of experience in online marketing and graphic design for small businesses. Natalie is a certified yoga teacher RYT200 and has 5 years of experience hosting Ecstatic Dances and Cacao Ceremonies.
Gema Nelson
Gema is a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board and serves as our Lodge Rental Manager and Lodge Care Manager. She is also a member of the event planning team at Amethyst. Gema has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Penn State University and is retired from the nonprofit sector. She has over 20 years of experience with the healthcare and insurance industry primarily managing team development, work processes, communication flow and grants.
Marykaye Flatley
Marykaye is a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. She has been involved with Amethyst for many years, and previously served as Secretary on the Board. With her history of involvement, dedication to the space, and love for the community, she is an invaluable member of the team. Marykaye is a registered Dietitian and is passionate about meditation, hiking, chanting, and Kundalini yoga. She loves taking part in everything at Amethyst: learning, growing, and connecting with dear friends (and making new ones).
Kaia Sword
Kaia serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State. She is a CFP® professional currently working in wealth management at Merrill where she simplifies the complexities of the financial world for individuals and families while guiding them through the various life stages. She enjoys traveling and is an avid climber, skier, and stand up paddler. Kaia is inspired by the intersection of nature, sound, and human connection with mental and physical wellbeing. She is excited to be a part of cultivating the enlightening and accepting community inspired by Amethyst while growing and learning alongside like-minded individuals.
James MaGee
James serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. He was born and raised in Maryland (current resident of Pennsylvania). He spent 7 years working in a Montessori school and has 8 years of experience working in the wellness industry. James has spent 14 years teaching martial arts and has a 3rd degree black belt. James has been a disciplined practitioner of mindfulness daily for well over a decade.. These practices have led him to embrace that exercising the mind and body helps to create a more balanced, healthier way of living. James feels learning to slow down can bring great value to one’s life. He carries the perspective that we are stronger together, than alone.
Joshua Ebersole
Josh serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. His personal spiritual journey really began in August 2022 and has been blossoming since. He found Amethyst looking for a space to connect with others on the spiritual path and to serve. His primary practice is identifying with his loving awareness to be here in a space of wisdom, peace, love, and equanimity. Josh is passionate about helping others identify with that space of loving awareness within themselves to heal traumas and go into their fears. Josh and his best friend and teacher, Kadence, a German Shorthaired Pointer, enjoy getting out trail running and hiking. He is a practicing attorney in natural resources and environmental law.
John Wenner
John serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. His spiritual journey began growing through a deep interest in dream realms and the hidden mysteries of life and the cosmos. He is continuing his journey of spiritual evolution through various practices like Tai Chi, Yoga, and meditation. Over the past decade, his communion with nature has included backpacking trips, kayaking, camping, and hiking.
He discovered Amethyst after a deep desire to unite with the spiritual community which led him to Amethyst’s “Beyond the Book” book club and other events like the Ecstatic Dance/Cacao Ceremonies. He is very eager to help create a brighter future for Amethyst and foster stronger community bonds!
Amethyst Foundation (doing business as Amethyst Retreat Center) is led by a Board of Directors and a Business Operations Team. Volunteers (also known as our team of Community Builders) bring life, dedication, and creativity to the space. We all work together to help care for the space and bring Amethyst’s mission to life.
Amethyst Board of Directors: The Board ensures prudent use of all of Amethyst’s assets. They work to make sure Amethyst obeys applicable laws and regulations, follows its own bylaws, and adheres to its stated mission and purpose. Board members contribute to the culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability of Amethyst.
Officers: Liz Kurtyka, President; Zoe Miner, Treasurer; Don Kovacs, Secretary
Trustees: Marykaye Flatley, Natalie Lain, Gema Nelson, James Magee, Kaia Sword, John Wenner, Josh Ebersole
Business Operations Team: Our Business Operations Team manages day-to-day operations at Amethyst Retreat Center including programs, retreats, events, facility rentals, web-development, marketing/outreach, property care, and more.
Natalie Lain: Executive Director of Business Operations, Main House Care Manager, Marketing Manager, Website Manager
Liz Kurtyka: Administrative Services, Personal Retreat Manager, Representative of the Events Team
Annie Kurtyka: Facility Rental Manager
Don Kovacs: Property Manager
Gema Nelson: Lodge Rental Manager, Lodge Care Manager, Representative of the Events Team
Phyillis Varra: Representative of the Garden Team
