Who we are

  • The Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan

    Director

    Mary Bea is a retreat leader, spiritual director, nonprofit founder, and author. Her latest book is Living the Way of Love:  A 40-Day Devotional. Mary Bea’s exposure to various spiritual traditions and practices, and her training as a facilitator are well-suited to the mission. Collaborating with so many talented, generous-hearted people to bring the Threshold Center to life is the answer to a long-held prayer.

  • Babs Knowles

    Program Director & Administrator

    Babs is a retired high school educator with an additional decade of work in marketing and sales. She brings a unique combination of creativity, organizational skills, and large group management experience to her role as our Program Director & Administrator. Babs joined us in hopes of creating a space where all individuals can connect and grow.

Advisory Circle

A dynamic Advisory Circle was formed that is composed of Saint Stephen’s parishioners and members of the greater community who are leaders in the arts, healing professions, business, and faith communities.  

  • Marie Blair

    Marie's careers as a retired librarian and Therapeutic Yoga Educator reflect her values of doing our best to make the world better. Her yoga practice focuses on older adults and those with chronic health conditions, but she welcomes everyone who seeks improved health and peace. She joined the Threshold Center because she believes it provides a tranquil space for people to build resilience and inspiration.

  • Allison Dearing

    Allison, a former nonprofit executive director, brings over two decades of cross-sector experience and a unique perspective to the Threshold Center.  Her legal background and expertise in driving change enable her to foster collaboration among diverse individuals and guide them towards achieving shared objectives. She is currently also completing a certification in Spiritual Direction which parallels well with the sense of peace she brings to us.

  • Natalie Isom Sansom

    Natalie, a Certified Spiritual Director with degrees in creative writing, culinary arts, and management, has led retreats and served in various roles within the Episcopal Diocese and community. As a former Chair of the Commission on Spirituality for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, she continues to serve with a passion for fostering spiritual exploration. Now, she helps bring to life a space for learning about diverse faiths, practices, and traditions.

  • Tyler Jones

    Tyler is a founding member and director of 1504, a narrative studio that integrates strategic communications with the visual arts, and whose  mission is to foster a more empathetic society through storytelling. He is a filmmaker, strategist, and experience designer who has led collaborations with cultural and cause-oriented organizations. As an advocate for mental health resources, especially for those who have experienced religious trauma, he supports The Threshold Center's mission to bring together mindfulness and faith.

  • Catherine Meehan

    Catherine, who serves on various boards across Birmingham, is an energetic and open-hearted prison ministry volunteer, healing prayer intercessor, tutor, and yoga instructor. She joined the Threshold Center because she believes in creating a space where all people can be seen and heard and know how much they and their gifts matter to society. 

  • Jamie Parris

    Jamie is a marketing and communications strategist, specializing in nonprofits. His work focuses on strengthening organizations working for transformational change on behalf of marginalized communities and the environment. He recently joined NaphCare, where he leads communications and cultural strategies to align the organization behind its mission to improve and save lives. He loves the Threshold Center because he sees creativity as a path to individual healing and as a way to break down barriers that divide us.

Artist in Residence

Salaam Green is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Birmingham, Alabama (2024–2025), a native of Greensboro, and founder of The Literary Healing Arts. A storyteller and healer, she is a Kellogg Foundation Racial Healing Facilitator and Alabama Humanities Foundation Road Scholar.

We are fortunate to have Salaam Green as our Artist in Residence at the Threshold Center (2025-2026). She leads programs at the here that allow participants to expand their artistic expression, often through journaling or poetic exploration. Salaam also is a source of connections with the artistic community in Alabama.

Salaam holds an English degree from the University of Montevallo and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Dakota. She has held residencies at UAB, Auburn University, and the former Wallace Plantation in Harpersville, Alabama. With 16+ years of experience, she uses poetry to create healing spaces rooted in Southern history and resilience. 

Founding Board Members

Katherine Owens

Katherine Owens was the architect behind Saint John’s for the Deaf, the building that now houses the Threshold Center. Thirty years later, as Founding Board Chair, Katherine essentially became the lead in reimagining that very same space. A long-time member of Saint Stephen’s, Katherine has been deeply involved in the community, with contributions to organizations such as the Junior League, the YWCA Junior Board, the Birmingham Historical Society Board, and The Women’s Fund of Alabama.

Keith Cromwell, Former Advisory Board Chair

When the Threshold Center was still in its infancy, Keith Cromwell brought his energy and vision to lead our Board.  Keith spent four decades succeeding in nearly every facet of show business, from performing on Broadway and international stages, to award winning production, to his 23-year tenure leading Red Mountain Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama. He now serves on numerous boards, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Beyond the arts, he is a prominent executive coach whose work has secured capital funding and transformed corporate communication. He remains dedicated to bridging the gap between art, technology, and community progress.