The Rev. Deshna Charron is an Ordained Interfaith Minister and Chaplain (2019), Certified Healing Ritual Facilitator (2020), Certified Yoga Instructor (2000), published author, and international speaker. She is the former Executive Director of ProgressiveChristianity.org & Progressing Spirit where she worked 2006 -2020. She was a Lead Author, the Project Director, and Editor on the Children’s Curriculum: A Joyful Path, Spiritual Curriculum. Deshna is the visionary and Executive Producer of Embrace Festival, a 3 day in-city festival in Portland, OR that focuses on Sacred Community, Social Transformation and the Arts. Deshna grew up in an amazing progressive Christian church, IUCC, in Irvine California as a PK (pastor’s kid) and so was blessed to be involved in a community that was open and affirming, innovative, and radically inclusive. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she graduated with honors as a Religious Studies major and a Global Peace and Security minor. This led her to be a part of the Global Reconciliation Service in New York doing some work with the United Nations. She has also worked in Administration for the UC Education Abroad Program, as an Infant and Early Childhood Specialist for a non-profit organization, and as a Spanish Teacher for elementary children. Deshna co-wrote a novel, Missing Mothers with her mom. She is a regular faculty member at The Chaplaincy Institute and a contributor to the Progressing Spirit Journal. She currently works at the University of Oregon with cultural, identity and affinity alumni networks and continues to serve as an officiant and ritual leader.