The Trustee Team
The volunteers who serve on the Trustee Team have the responsibility of overseeing the financial operations of our organism and fulfilling the legal requirements to maintain our non-profit status. They work closely with the Council and the Staff for holding the Contemplative Outreach Vision, Theological Principles and Guidelines for Contemplative Outreach Service and guiding the Keating legacy.The Team meets monthly and aims to make its decisions with prayerful discernment and consensus. Minutes of these meetings are posted here.Contact the Trustee Team by email office@coutreach.org with subject line “Trustee Team” or call 973.838.3384.
Jim McElroy
Jim McElroy has been practicing Centering Prayer since 1996 and has been a commissioned presenter since 2002. Jim has been on the leadership team of 12-Step Outreach since its formation in 2005 and is especially interested in teaching contemplative practices to the recovery community. He is a former coordinator of St. Louis (USA), is on the Welcoming Prayer Service Team, and is a member of the Living Flame teaching team. Jim spent his career in the insurance industry as an Account Executive. He is passionate about spreading the gift of Contemplative Prayer. He currently lives in St. Louis with his husband, Tim, of 25 years.
Diane Ryan
Diane Ryan is a commissioned presenter of both the Introductory Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina workshops. She is a Centering Prayer group facilitator and has led one day silent retreats for her group. Diane is a retired physician living in Breckenridge, Colorado, USA. She, her husband and their Great Dane, Bhakti, love outdoor activities . They have three adult children. One of Diane’s passions is learning to play cello since retiring. She has a special interest in the contemplative dimension of other religions and in exploring interspiritual activities.
Carol Quest
questcarol@gmail.com
Carol is a retired high school teacher living in St. Paul, Minnesota who began practicing Centering Prayer in 1993. She is a Centering Prayer group facilitator and a commissioned presenter of the Centering Prayer Introductory Program. As past co-coordinator of the Minnesota Contemplative Outreach chapter, she continues as a member of the chapter coordinating team. She volunteers with a team offering Centering Prayer at a Minnesota state prison. She has served on the Centering Prayer Introductory Program Service Team and currently is a member of the Chapter Support Service Team. In 2019 she was part or the Contemplative Outreach International Conference Planning Team.
Jean Benfer
Jean Benfer is pleased to join the Contemplative Outreach Trustee Team in 2026. She is looking forward to continuing the dedicated work of the staff and volunteers who have supported the vision of Contemplative Outreach and “embraced the process of transformation in Christ, both in themselves and in others, through the practice of Centering Prayer.” Jean appreciates the many servant leaders who have shared the gift of Centering Prayer and the many resources of Contemplative Outreach. She discovered the Centering Prayer community in Hawaii and has helped the Hawaii Chapter of Contemplative Outreach with weekly Centering Prayer groups, Introduction to Centering Prayer workshops, enrichment days, retreats and chapter administration. She also served on the Contemplative Outreach Chapter Support Team. She continues to live in Hawaii and enjoys the many blessings of living near the ocean and in beautiful surroundings.
Reagan Biwott
Although she formally began practicing Centering Prayer in 2011, Reagan recognizes a contemplative spirit present since childhood — an affinity for silence and the sacredness in everyday life. A long season of contemplation in the midst of suffering led her to experience a deep union with the Holy Spirit that guides every thought, word, and action in service of truth and love. She has served as a member of the Contemplative Outreach Young Contemplatives Support Group and as one of the facilitators of the Young Contemplatives Centering Prayer and Spiritual Journey series faith‑sharing group.
A former science teacher, academic coach, and professor, Reagan now serves as a Professional Learning Specialist, partnering with Atlanta-area K-12, higher ed and informal science institutions to support learning in ways that nurture curiosity, connection, and real-world experiences. As a culturally proficient coach, trainer, and facilitator, Reagan also partners with organizations across the U.S. to cultivate internal workplaces and external service practices rooted in true belonging — where full presence of all who are serving and being served is encouraged, supported, and treasured in words, action and love-centered ways of being that move away from “fixing” or “saving” others, toward mutual respect, shared humanity, and collective growth that honors the sacred value of every human being.
A lifelong resident of Atlanta, Reagan has traveled to every continent, bringing a global perspective to her service and way of being. She serves educational, healthcare, and infrastructure needs in Kenya through a non-profit she founded and contributes to the missions of other non-profit organizations as a board officer of the Environmental Education Alliance and as an advisory committee member of Perspective Ministries.
