Foundation Officers

Zoe Miner

Zoe is the current President of the Amethyst Foundation as of October 2019.  Zoe is also a team 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 the Vice President of the Amethyst Foundation and Executive Director 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 as Board Member, Treasurer, 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 the Secretary of the Amethyst Board and loves taking part in everything at Amethyst: learning, growing, and connecting with dear friends (and making new ones!). 

Foundation Board Members 

Cindy Beers

Cindy Beers, 500 ERYT YACEP, spent 18 years in the U.S. Armed Forces and therefore, has a special understanding for teaching yoga to veterans, teens, and adults living with anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.  Her work with anxiety culminated in her recently published books, “Mindful Yoga for Teen Anxiety” and “Mindful Yoga for Adult Anxiety.”  Cindy is currently working on her third book, “Mindful Yoga for Depression” and created the professional development training of “Mindful Yoga for Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, and Stress.”  Cindy holds a BS and MS in Leadership & Philosophy from Duquesne University.

Janeen Christ

Recently retired from the PA Department of Corrections, Janeen Christ serves as a member of the Board of Directors at ARC.  Her interests include being a part of Amethyst to develop a community of mindful learning, a haven to fortify one’s soul through workshops, meditations, celebrations, community service days, trails to hike, a labyrinth to walk, and silent personal retreats.  She is grateful to be a part of the Amethyst community.

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 served as the Amethyst Foundation President from February 2013 through September 2019.  She currently serves as a member of the Amethyst Board and the Amethyst Community Council.

Jes Meyers

Jes Meyers is a member of the Amethyst Board and also serves on the Amethyst Community Council.  She assists in event planning, managing retreat services, 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.

Marlin Peters

Marlin is flowing with the growth and expansion of Amethyst and feels it feeds and strengthens him in ineffable ways.  He has taken the lead on several projects and been gopher for others working in their leading roles and has loved and grown from it all. Recently, he learned how to make tensor rings that transform EMF into non-harmful frequency and is passionate about creating and sharing his knowledge and finished products.  Marlin feels connected to the land, the people, and the energy and is looking forward to sharing with you.

Amethyst Community Council Members responsible for Enterprise Management and Development

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

Nancy Bittinger

Nancy Bittinger is the owner of Carlisle Bowen Works Center for Wholistic Health & Wellness, Board Member of the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple & Meditation Center, and Community Council member of Amethyst Retreat Center. She is the mother of two adult children and one misbehaved dog.  She dedicates her life to philanthropy, learning, nature, and nurturing the relationships of the people she loves.

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!

Natalie Toma

​Natalie is a member of the Amethyst Community Council, assisting with the event planning. Natalie always felt a connection to want to help people, which led to her eighteen year journey into the healing arts and metaphysics. She is a 200 HR RYT, Reiki Master, Reflexologist, and owner of Enchanted Reams. She has over fourteen years of experience working in Higher Education and has completed numerous trainings in Yoga and Wellness courses. Natalie has her AA in Hospitality Management, BS in Occupational Studies, and is currently pursuing her Master's in Health and Wellness Coaching. Her love for community and the need to be surrounded by like-minded individuals led her to the magical place of Amethyst.