Amethyst Foundation Inc. Trustees

Zoe Miner

Zoe is a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation and a member on the Amethyst Community Council (since 2018) and served as Amethyst’s Grants Manager from February 2019 to September 2019.  Zoe is from Harrisburg, PA and earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Villanova University.  Zoe started her own personal spiritual journey in 2017.  She is passionate about self-growth, human connection, humans' connection to the Earth, as well as, improving the lives of those around her and her community; this is how she found Amethyst.  Amethyst has been a safe, comforting home where she continues to learn and grow. Zoe is certified in Mental Health First Aid.

Lizabeth Kurtyka

Liz is a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation and a member of the Community Council.  She has been actively involved with operations and administrative work for the past few years and looks forward to being part of Amethyst’s future.  She is grateful to be part of a loving community that is so deeply rooted in nature.  Over the years, Liz has worked as a social worker and a teacher.  She has served as a volunteer in a variety of capacities, including community outreach and the resettlement of refugees.  She has studied energy work and has been a Reiki Master for over 10 years.  She strives to be of service to others as she herself continues growing and learning.  She is a wife and mother of two grown children and two spoiled dogs.

Don Kovacs

Don is a retired family physician and a Quaker.  He believes in mindfulness of the Inner Light as the core for living a life of wisdom, courage, and compassion. He serves Amethyst Foundation as Trustee, Forest Meister, Shelf-Maker, Forest Guide, etc.  He 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.

Marykaye Flatley

Marykaye Flatley is a member of the Amethyst community that lives along the beautiful Susquehanna River, not far from Amethyst.  She loves music, meditation, chanting, Kundalini yoga, and enjoys spending time reading, cooking, or hiking with her family and three sweet rescue dogs. Marykaye has the honor and pleasure of serving as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation and loves taking part in everything at Amethyst: learning, growing, and connecting with dear friends (and making new ones!). 

Karen Kovacs

Karen Kovacs is passionate about serving the greater good and the development of conscious community. Amethyst’s evolving purpose, programs, and community of innovators is a source of inspiration and joy for her. Karen is retired from the for-profit corporate world with more than 25 years of experience in business development and project management.  She holds a Professional Project Management certification. Karen serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation and is a member of the Amethyst Community Council.

Jes Meyers

Jes Meyers is a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation and also serves on the Amethyst Community Council.  She assists in event planning, promotional videos, and developing herbal products for Amethyst and the community. Reiki Master, Founder & Formulator of The Sensory Apothecary, Jes is a Holistic Certified Aromatherapist (New York Institute of Aromatic Studies) and a member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), as well as, the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild (HSCG).  With over 25 years of education and professional experience in social services, Jes is an advocate and consultant for children & adults with autism and special needs.  Her love for Amethyst is guided by nature, mindfulness, and community.

Amethyst Community Council Members responsible for Programs and Services

Annie Kurtyka

Annie is a lover and advocate for all beings and anything natural.  She holds many passions stretching from Mother Earth all the way to the cosmos, with self love, energy work, and health included. One main love and focus of hers is commUNITY; coming together as individuals to grow and transcend solo and simultaneously as a whole.  Amethyst has provided a consistent and safe space for Annie to nurture her endeavors around holistic gardening, development of awareness, and human connection.  She wishes to continue to breathe life into the place that has supported her and others to thrive.  Amethyst is special to her.

Erica Jo Shaffer

Erica Jo Shaffer is a horticulturist, a landscape designer and consultant, garden speaker, and blogger.  She is a Reiki master with both Shaman training (with Foundation of Shamanic Studies) and Priestess training (with Institute of Modern Wisdom).  Her own budding business is Wildly Crafted Woman, a creative collection of herbal potions and self care goodies.  Her involvement with ARC is fueled by love of the land/trees/feel of the property, and the strong community/tribe who weave their magic in this beautiful space

Rachel Lou Keller

Rachel has been a member of the Amethyst Community Council for a bit of time now and has been coming to events at Amethyst for over two years.  She is a holder of sacred space.  She enjoys heart work.  Rachel enjoys seeing what needs to be done and then doing it!

Nicole Sharkey

Nicole Sharkey is a member of the Amethyst Community Council. Over the past few years, she has created several events including Women's Wellness Weekends and the Earth Love Festival. Currently she prepares meals for ARC's Personal Retreat Weekends and provides massage therapy for retreat guests. Nicole is a licensed massage therapist and the proud mama of a sweet 7 year old boy. After traveling the world, Nicole returned to her home state in 2016. She enjoys dancing, being in the woods and water, and spending time with the people she loves.

Kristina Nousianen

Kristina Nousianen is an LMT, belly dance instructor, herbalist and gardening enthusiast. She loves art, animals, music, poetry and trees. Her main goals are providing for her daughter, aiding people in relaxation and pain relief, feeding people, and caring for the Earth.