CEIE Advisory Council

Marc A. Cohen joined the faculty of the Albers School in the fall of 2008. He earned a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a joint appointment in the philosophy department at Seattle University. His academic work concerns trust, business ethics, social contract theory, and more general questions in social/ political philosophy about what makes society more than an accidental crowd. Prior to joining Albers, Dr. Cohen served as vice president and corporate strategist at Branch Banking & Trust Co. (North Carolina), as assistant vice president in the Bank’s middle market commercial lending group, and as a management consultant at Mercer Management Consulting (now part of Oliver Wyman). He also served as adjunct faculty in the philosophy departments at George Washington University and Wake Forest University.

Historian and theologian, Patricia O’Connell Killen (M.A., Ph.D. Stanford University) is Professor of Religion, Emerita, and Faculty Fellow at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington. Prior to her retirement from full-time university work, she served as Professor of Religious Studies and Academic Vice President at Gonzaga University. She also has taught at Loyola University of Chicago. Killen’s scholarship and teaching focus on Catholicism in North America, religion and spirituality in the Pacific Northwest, theological reflection, and faith-inspired higher education. She researches the intersection of social context, community, and spirituality, exploring how, in differing social contexts, communities “think” with the wisdom of their religious heritage to address the challenges and novel circumstances of their time.

Among her publications as author, co-author, or co-editor are: “The Art of Theological Reflection,” 30th anniversary edition (Crossroad Publishing, 2026); “Gratitude, Injury and Repair in a Pandemic Age: An Interreligious Dialogue” (Georgetown, 2025); “Religion at the Edge: Nature, Spirituality, and Secularity in the Pacific Northwest” (University of British Columbia Press, 2022); “The Future of Catholicism in America” (Columbia, 2019); “Selected Letters of A.M.A. Blanchet, Bishop of Walla Walla and Nesqualy, 1846-1879” (University of Washington Press, 2013); and, “Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The ‘None’ Zone” (AltaMira Press, 2004),

Patricia continues to write and to work as a a consultant, speaker, and workshop facilitator to congregations, higher education institutions, seminaries, and journalists.

Among her recognitions, Killen has received the American Academy of Religion Teaching Excellence Award (2006), the Paul Bator Memorial Award from the Canadian Catholic Historical Society (2001),and the Elizabeth Seton Medal from the College of Mount St. Joseph (1999).

Born and raised in rural western Oregon, Patricia enjoys road cycling, gardening, British mysteries, and cooking. She currently resides in Tacoma, Washington.

Imam Jamal Rahman is a popular speaker and author of numerous books on Islam, Sufi spirituality, and Interfaith relations. Along with his Interfaith Amigos, he has been featured in the New York Times, CBS News, BBC, and various NPR programs. Jamal is co-founder and Muslim Sufi Imam at Interfaith Community Sanctuary, and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. He travels nationally and internationally, presenting at retreats and workshops. Jamal’s passion lies in interfaith community building and activism. Website: www.jamalrahman.com

Experienced Elder with a demonstrated history of working in the religious institutions industry. Skilled in Bible Study, Nonprofit Organizations, Exegesis, Coaching, and Discipleship. Strong community and social services professional with a M.Div. focused in Psy. Of Religion and Pastoral Care from Interdenominational Theological Center (Turner Seminary).

Rev Justin Almeida (he/they) is an ordained and endorsed Unitarian Universalist community minister affiliated with University Unitarian Church in Seattle, WA. They received their Master of Divinity from Seattle University, and completed their chaplain residency at the Veterans Administration of Puget Sound working in mental health settings. Rev Justin also completed a one year fellowship at the VA in Palliative Care, and provided spiritual care during the COVID lockdown at Harborview Medical Center. They now work in neurology at Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill Campus where they provide trauma informed spiritual and emotional support for patients, families, and staff.

Maria Laughlin graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, with a degree in English Literature, and has a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Seattle University. An adult convert to the Catholic Church, she was baptized at St. James Cathedral in 1997. She has been on staff at St. James Cathedral since 1999, and currently serves as Director of Pastoral Ministries.

In addition to his current work in conference ministry, Eric has served as a congregational pastor, health care chaplain and spiritual director. As an avid writer, he has published poetry and essays is varied print and online publications. He brings a longtime passion for ecumenical and interspiritual dialogue to his work with CEIE, believing that our varied wellsprings of faith are enriched and the world is transformed through our connection and collaboration. Eric and his partner Yolanda make their home in Bellingham, WA where they enjoy spending time exploring the nearby mountains and waterways.

Rabbi Jason R. Levine is the Associate Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Seattle, where he leads on intergroup relations, civil discourse and bridge within the Jewish community, and member engagement of the 36 organizations and many lay leaders that make up the JCRC. He currently serves on the Board of the Faith Action Network. He previously served as the Associate Rabbi of Tempe Beth Am in North Seattle for over a decade and as the Chair of the Washington Coalition of Rabbis. Originally from the Midwest, Jason earned his Bachelors at Cornell University in both Neurobiology & Behavior and Near Eastern Studies, and rabbinic ordination from the Hebrew Union College. He is married to Anna, a social worker, and they have two daughters and a silly little dog.

Hannah Hochkeppel brings more than 14 years of experience navigating the Interreligious landscape in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. She currently serves as the Associate Executive Director of Paths to Understanding, a Western WA based bridge building non-profit. Hannah has previously worked for non-profits engaged in interfaith work locally, nationally, and internationally. She has experience here in the PNW and United States, as well as the Middle East, Western Europe, and South Asia. Hannah is deeply invested in the power of relationship in building understanding. She has a passion for fostering genuine partnerships and opportunities for deep listening about the experiences of people from all traditions. Hannah holds a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Tech and an M.A in Religion and Theology from Seattle University.

Steve Wilhelm has been meditating since 1968, and engaged in Buddhist practice since 1987. He has studied and practiced in the Tibetan and Vipassana traditions, including extended retreats in both, although his practice is now primarily Vipassana. Steve has facilitated Eastside Insight Meditation since 2000, and serves on the boards of the Tibetan Nuns Project and Friends of Clear Mountain Monastery. He retired in mid-2016 from a 34-year career as a journalist, currently edits Northwest Dharma News and is now editing an eighth dharma book. In 2017 Steve graduated from the fifth Community Dharma Leaders program, offered through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. He lives just east of Woodinville, Washington, near Cottage Lake, with his wife Ellen and the bemused dog Annie, and cat Aerazele.

Dr. Jasmit Singh is a cybersecurity executive, technologist, and prominent civil rights advocate who has been a Washington State resident since 2002. Professionally, he serves as the Chief Architect for a cybersecurity firm, building upon a robust background in technology and enterprise solutions. Previously, he was the Chief Technology Officer and Founder of Pixatel Systems, where he pioneered low-cost Android-based educational platforms to personalize classroom learning, as well as the Principal of Eflow Systems, where he partnered with state agencies on cloud migration, mobile technology, and business process re-engineering.

Dr. Singh has a deep-rooted commitment to civil rights, coalition building, and systemic equity at both local and national levels. He is a founder and board member of the Sikh Coalition—the largest Sikh American advocacy and development organization in the United States, established on the night of September 11, 2001, to combat anti-Sikh violence and discrimination. Furthermore, he is the founder and Executive Director of the Khalsa Gurmat Center, a Washington State non-profit incorporated in 2014 that drives impactful community development by providing youth enrichment schools, healthcare, parenting, and legal clinics, and vital collaborative partnerships across the state, alongside spearheading its dedicated Civil Rights Task Force. His grassroots and civic organizing also includes combating hate and bias with Hate Free Zone of Washington (One America), organizing post-9/11 public hearings in September 2002, and contributing to interfaith and cultural bridge-building as a board member for Paths to Understanding and serving as the Board Chair for the Faith Action Network, where he leads statewide interfaith advocacy and education efforts alongside diverse faith communities.

Beyond his civil rights and community-building work, Dr. Singh has lent his governance expertise to key Pacific Northwest cultural institutions, serving on the boards of the Wing Luke Asian Museum and Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). His civic leadership and public service have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Seattle Japanese American Citizens’ Sam Shoji Unsung Hero Award, the Kent Schools Champion of Diversity Award, and honors from the International Examiner.

Sparrow Etter Carlson (she/her) is a creative innovator focused on spirituality, hospitality, reciprocity, belonging, and moral imagination in the homeless sector. She has spent 24 years alongside her unhoused neighbors and is the Founder and Co-Executive Director of Sacred Streets. Prior to Sacred Streets, she co-founded Aurora Commons, the Safe, Healthy, Empowered (SHE) Clinic, and the Green Bean Coffeehouse, a non-profit café. She has also worked in policy and planning within the homelessness sector.

Deanna Howes Spiro joined the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in 2007. She has held four roles at AJCU, including six years as director of communications and, since June 2020, as vice president of communications.

Deanna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in Communication from Johns Hopkins University. Outside of AJCU, Deanna serves on the Board of Directors for the Jesuit Friends and Alumni Network (JFAN) USA and the Fordham University Alumni Chapter of Washington, DC. She also serves as a cantor at Holy Trinity, a Jesuit parish in Washington, DC.

A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Deanna lives with her family in Northern Virginia.

Kusumita P. Pedersen is Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at St. Francis College and Chair of the Interfaith Center of New York. She is also a member of the Climate Action Task Force (CATF) of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and of the Climate Working Group of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations. She is co-author of Global Ethics in Practice: Historical Backgrounds, Current Issues and Future Prospects (Edinburgh University Press, 2016) and co-editor of Faith for Earth: A Call to Action (UN Environment Programme and Parliament of the World’s Religions, 2020). Kusumita has compiled and edited librettos for two works by Philip Glass: Symphony No. 5: Bardo, Requiem and Nirmānakāya (1999) and The Passion of Ramakrishna (2006). She has been a student of Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007) since 1971 and her book Love and Transformation: The Philosophy of Sri Chinmoy is forthcoming from Lexington Books.

Mahrukh Motafram is a nonprofit leader and consultant whose work connects faith communities, governance, and fundraising. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Parliament of the World’s Religions as Communications Chair. She is also a founding member and the founding President of ZASHA (the Zoroastrian Alliance for Sisterhood and Humanitarian Advancement). In the North American Zoroastrian community, she chaired a multi-year modernization of FEZANA’s (Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America) governing documents and served on the steering committee of the World Zoroastrian Congress.

As Principal of Simoorg, LLC, a nonprofit consultancy specializing in fundraising strategy and board governance, Mahrukh has written grant proposals for the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLIFLC) to support faith-engagement Learning Hubs worldwide. She has also been lead writer on multimillion-dollar federal housing applications for the AVCP (Association of Village Council Presidents) Regional Housing Authority, which serves 52 federally recognized tribes in Alaska.

Mahrukh has a certificate in Fundraising Leadership from Seattle University, Seattle WA and specialization in Grant Writing & Management Strategies from the University of Washington, Professional and Continuing Education. She brings to the Advisory Council experience in helping faith-based and community organizations build strong governance and sustainable funding.