Shelli Stanger Nelson is the lead teacher at Rukha® Academy of Healing Arts & Science. As a registered nurse, professional healing practitioner, and advanced graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing®, she has centered her life around the integration of medicine, healing and the evolution of human consciousness. She believes, through personal experience and intensive study, that this approach is the most viable way to achieve infinite well-being. Read More >>

Jean Chagnon, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in Minnesota. She is currently the co-owner and President of Counseling Psychologists of Woodbury, P.A. (CPW) where she maintains a private practice. Jean came to CPW with 16 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, associate dean, director, and staff psychologist. She holds a BS in Engineering, an MA in Education, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology. She also has graduate academic training in Theology. Jean has broadened her professional work with further training in Reiki Energy Healing, Rosen Method Bodywork, and Shamanism. She has worked as an activist in the GLBT community and the effort to end violence against women.

Mary Anna received her Masters of Social Work in 1978 with special emphasis in families and treatment. Her post graduate training includesFamily Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis,Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP), MN Couple Communication, Experiential Group Therapy methods including Psychodrama, Sociodrama, and Sociometry. Mary Anna Provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. She has studied Psychodrama and group psychotherapy since 1982. In 2003, Mary Anna became a Board Certified Practitioner (C.P.) of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy. Currently she offers personal growth groups and training to professionals in Psychodramatic methods. Mary Anna has been a Social Worker/ Family Therapist for 38 years and is the founder of the Psychodrama Center at Aslan Institute in Eagan, MN.

	Melissa Mills is a biology faculty member at Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, MN. She completed her BS in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her MS in Zoology at the University of Minnesota.   While finishing graduate school, she took a position teaching Anatomy & Physiology part-time at ARCC until she could find a “real” job.  That was 25 years ago, and she has loved teaching at the college ever since. Melissa has mainly taught Medical Terminology, Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, and Biology of Women on campus and online.  Her years of teaching about how the human body functions have led her in the direction of alternative health practices.  She has taken further coursework in Spring Forest Qigong, Integrative Health and Healing, Mind-Body Connections, Energy Healing, and Spirituality and Healing.

Dr. Scott Taylor is currently professor of Small Business Management at South Central College. This program brings the benefits of business management education directly to business owners and managers. Taylor earned a business administration degree from Coe College and an MBA in marketing and strategic planning from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He holds a counseling degree from the New Seminary in New York and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Scott started his business career with Dayton-Hudson Corporation (now Macy's.) He then joined his family's firm that operated 17 Brett's Department Stores and Ehlers specialty stores, serving as President for five years. Dr. Taylor has also served as VP of marketing and sales for a startup biotech company, Phenix Biocomposites. He also owns his own consulting and training company, the Expanded Awareness Institute.

Lonne earned a BA in Music Education K-12 from St. Catherine University in 1972 and a MA in Theology with Emphasis on Spirituality in 1995 from St. Catherine University.  In 1996 she became a certified Spiritual Director through the Cenacle Retreat House, formerly in Wayzata, MN. Lonne graduated from the Rukha® Living with Consciousness(SM) program and has continued to study over the past five years. Lonne brings experience working within the Catholic church, authoring religion curriculum,campus ministry and since 1980 has served as a Director of Liturgy.  Lonne has dedicated time working for Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter and for Catholic Charities at St. Anne’s Residence.

Brent Nelson  -  CFO and Director of IT

Brent Nelson comes to Rukha® with 15 years of experience in finance and IT services. He received his degree in electronics and technology in 1995. Brent has held several positions of leadership within the IT department of Fairview Health Services including Lead Technical Analyst for the corporate offices and the central business office for this multi-billion dollar organization. He has held leadership roles throughout his career with Fairview. Brent’s interests include mountain skiing, carpentry and furniture construction, landscaping and gardening, making good food and the history of circa 1930-1940. He has been involved with the charity Loaves and Fishes, a food program for disadvantaged families in Minneapolis.