Board of Directors
Charles Geddes : Executive Director
With over 55 years of devoted ministry, Charles has been a guiding force in the New Thought movement. He served Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL) communities in Tucson, AZ; Southern California; and Fort Lauderdale, FL. Prior to the formation of CSL, he also contributed as a member of its Board of Directors, helping shape the organization’s foundation and future. He received an honorary doctorate recognizing his contributions to New Thought, along with a Doctor of Divinity from the Affiliated New Thought Network (ANTN).
Charles was on the founding board of the Big Sky Retreat, originating in the Tetons. In 2023, after 48 years, Charles in his role as Board President helped lead it to a successful completion, marking it as the longest-running metaphysical retreat in New Thought history.
In 2021, Charles relocated from Florida to Clancy, Montana, where he founded the nonprofit Mind Your Own Becoming (MYOB). Centered on the powerful message “Standing for all lives that have not mattered,” MYOB has focused on confronting key social issues through healing, awareness, and action.
After 4½ years of transformative programming with MYOB, Charles is now launching a new initiative: Deepening Roots. This evolving body of work is dedicated to honoring the past, grounding in the present, and shaping the future through intentional words, deeds, and actions, and programming that helps us live into our potential. A central feature of this new chapter will be annual retreats designed to inspire personal and collective growth and foster beloved community.
Dr. Katie Levi: President
Katie began her New Thought journey in 2002 when she entered the Fort Lauderdale Center for Spiritual Living; it was here she knew she would be a life-long student of these teachings. Katie started her formal practitioner training with the Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2019, she completed her Doctorate in Spiritual Studies and became a Religious Science Certified Practitioner (RScP) through the Emerson Theological Institute in Oakhurst, CA.
Before stepping into spiritual studies and leadership, Katie built an impressive career in public service. After graduating high school in her hometown of Davenport, Iowa, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving eight years as an aircraft maintainer before moving into the field of computer networking. Over the next 16 years, she worked with multiple government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she served as a Senior IT Analyst. In 2022, Katie retired after 24 years of dedicated federal service.
Katie enjoys traveling for both humanitarian efforts and pure curiosity of the world around her. You will often find her outdoors hiking, biking, camping, and kayaking. For Katie, Deepening Roots is a place of spiritual friendship, a growing community where she can connect with chosen family, thus strengthening the bonds of beloved community.
Previous Board Service:
- Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living, Board Member
- Big Sky Retreat, Treasurer
- Kaleidoscope Child Foundation, Ambassador to the Board
Dawn Balogh: Secretary
Dawn’s lifelong passion for metaphysics began early—she was only six months old when she was christened into the Church of Religious Science. By 17, she was already stepping into leadership, serving as secretary of the Religious Science Youth Seminar.
In 1994, Dawn launched the Labels for Education program at the Orting Schools and went on to serve on the boards of the PTA and the local Chamber of Commerce.
For 20 years, she attended the Big Sky Retreat where she served as Assistant Cashier, Head Cashier, and Board Secretary for seven years. With many years of customer servcie experience, Dawn successfully owned and operated her own business for 19 years before retiring – and is now “refiring” her life. Inspired by the mission of Deepening Roots, Dawn believes “a new consciousness is awakening around the world which is leading to personal growth. Deepening roots will be an open door to all who are ready for deep growth and understanding. I am honored to be part of the growth.”
Today, Dawn lives in Orting, Washington, where she makes a difference volunteering weekly at the local food bank. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have three children, three granddaughters, and one grandson. She enjoys Pilates, gardening, canning, quilting and being outdoors.
Sue Dostal: Treasurer
After more than 50 years shaped by traditional religious influence (with a touch of Edgar Cayce and Abraham Hicks along the way), Sue relocated to Helena, Montana, where she discovered the Helena Church of Creative Living and a philosophy that resonated with her spirit.
A devoted mother of four, Sue raised her children after her husband passed away at age 48. Alongside mothering, she poured her heart into teaching preschool and high school, volunteering through the PTA, supporting classroom programs, and working with organizations that empower women through education.
She also gave her time and love to her church, helping to grow the community and focusing in on what was important to her. The metaphysical teachings had always intrigued her, and so, for the past 15 years, spiritual study has been central to her life. Through the Center, study groups, and her own exploration, she has continued to live more fully into her understanding.
Today, Sue sees Deepening Roots as a beautiful opportunity to live into the practice of letting go of limitations, to enjoy, dance, create, hug, uplift, shine light, and surrender as much as possible. She treasures the community that is growing from this work, one filled with love, spiritual encouragement, laughter, and heartfelt friendships.
Intertwined with her spiritual life, Sue enjoys Pilates, hiking, time with her grandkids and family, and the simple joy of community.
Dr. Lori Savage: Board Member
Lori Savage is an ordained New Thought Minister, certified coach, teacher, and creative spirit with a passion for helping people live from their innate brilliance. For decades, she has studied and taught spiritual principles that have helped her and others immensely.
Lori’s journey includes training at the Academy for Coaching Excellence, where she became a certified coach, and earning her Doctorate in Advanced Consciousness Studies. Today, she serves as Assistant Minister and Executive Director at Global Truth Center Palm Springs, where she combines her expertise in media, design, and spiritual leadership to support the center’s mission and community.
Lori enjoys life with her husband Don and their beloved pup, Maggie. They divide their time between the sandy shores of San Felipe Mexico and the sunlit beauty of California’s Coachella Valley.
For Lori, the reason for her support of Deepening Roots comes down to one word: Charles. Lori says, “Whatever Charles does, I want to be a part of it. He is the embodiment of delightful childlike joy and spiritual depth seamlessly coming together in light and brilliance.”
Lori warmly invites you to join her in leading with love, creating from joy, and remembering that we are all the creative, ever-evolving essence of life—and in this moment, all is well.
Marcy Baruch: Board Member
Marcy Baruch is an innovative and accomplished singer-songwriter, musician, and spiritual wayshower who is devoted to fostering the evolution of consciousness through song and word.
Radiant with warmth and honesty, her way of being arises from a deep calling to connect with others through the unveiling of truth, the recognition of beauty, and the power of goodness, creativity, dignity, and love. Her light of perception invites others to approach thresholds of wonder, awe, and shared being—opening us to the magnificence of who we truly are.
Musically, Marcy has released three albums of her own (Hathaway Smiles, Clearly, and The Strength of Love), and is currently working on her fourth. In addition, her keen listening skills have made her a sought-after harmony vocalist on more than 40 albums. On the weekends you will often find Marcy co-leading Kirtans, singing in spiritual centers around the country, and joining forces with other musicians and inspirational speakers in collaborative endeavors.
Marcy serves on the Board of Directors to help carry forward Charles’ vision for deepening our own roots, both individually and in true beloved community. She loves the way he connects with his angels and speaks directly to people in ways that reach the depths of the soul.