Amethyst Foundation (doing business as Amethyst Retreat Center) is led by a Business Operations Team and a Board of Directors. Community volunteers bring life, dedication, and creativity to the space. We all work together to help care for the space and bring Amethyst’s mission to life.

Amethyst Board of Directors and Business Operations Team

The Board and Business Operations Team work together to manage day-to-day operations at Amethyst Retreat Center including programs, retreats, events, facility rentals, web-development, marketing/outreach, property care, and more. The Board ensures prudent use of all of Amethyst’s assets. They work to make sure Amethyst obeys applicable laws and regulations, follows its own bylaws, and adheres to its stated mission and purpose. Board members contribute to the culture, strategic focus, effectiveness, and financial sustainability of Amethyst.

Joshua Ebersole, President

Joshua serves as the President of the Amethyst Foundation Board. He found Amethyst looking for a space to connect with others on the spiritual path and to serve. He is a practicing attorney in natural resources and environmental law.

Gema Nelson, Secretary

Gema serves as the Secretary of the Amethyst Foundation Board. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Penn State University and is retired from the nonprofit sector. She has over 20 years of experience with the healthcare and insurance industry primarily managing team development, work processes, communication flow and grants.

Zoe Miner, Board Trustee

Zoe serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. She previously served as Treasurer from 2023-2024 and as Amethyst’s Grants Manager from 2019 through 2024. Zoe earned both a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master of Business Administration degree from Villanova University. She has work experience in healthcare and state government. Zoe started her personal spiritual journey in 2017, which is how she found Amethyst, and has been involved ever since. She is passionate about self-growth, sacred connection, providing safe spaces, empowering others, and improving her community. Zoe is certified in Mental Health First Aid, trained as a Wild Woman Project circle leader, and is a registered yoga teacher (RYT 200) with the Yoga Alliance.

James MaGee, Board Trustee

James serves as a Trustee of the Amethyst Foundation Board. He was born and raised in Maryland (current resident of Pennsylvania). He spent 7 years working in a Montessori school and has 8 years of experience working in the wellness industry. James has spent 14 years teaching martial arts and has a 3rd degree black belt. James has been a disciplined practitioner of mindfulness daily for well over a decade.. These practices have led him to embrace that exercising the mind and body helps to create a more balanced, healthier way of living. James feels learning to slow down can bring great value to one’s life. He carries the perspective that we are stronger together, than alone.

Annie Kurtyka, Rental Manager

Annie has been a dedicated volunteer and contributor to Amethyst since 2018, and is now working in a remote role as Amethyst’s Facilities Rental Manager. She is passionate about the natural world and is constantly playing around with new ways to work with the Earth. Currently, she creates organic herbal skincare products under the name Resonant Remedies on Big Island of Hawai’i. She also is a devoted dreamer, practicing and studying dreams.