Mary Macrina Cowan, Ph.D., D.Min.
Dr. Mary Macrina Cowan’s work at the Center has been an unique opportunity to integrate her clinical experience and interest in formation and development on the behalf of ministerial formation and clergy health. She completed her graduate education at Oklahoma State University with her Ph.D. in 1974. After years in clinical practice in both community agencies and private practice, she completed a master degree in theology and pastoral ministry and went on to complete a D.Min at Andover Newton Theological School in 2000. She also served as artist-in-residence, adjunct faculty and as the administrative director of the Center for Faith, Health and Spirituality at Andover Newton. Dr. Cowan is especially interested in spiritual formation in contemporary religious communities, interfaith dialogue, spirituality and the arts. She studied at the Shalem Institute in spiritual guidance and serves as a spiritual director as well as her other staff responsibilities.

Rev. Linda Parham
Rev. Linda Parham received her M.A. in Organizational Communication and B.S. in Business Management at Clark University. She earned a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate in Complex Urban Studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a focus in Young Adult Ministry in the urban setting. Rev. Parham holds certificates in several areas of study: Youth and Young Adult Ministry Studies at the Boston Theological Institute, Faith-based Community Economic Development at Harvard Divinity School, and CPE at the Berkshire Medical Center. Her work in the non-profit sector has been in the areas of research consulting, senior citizen support, and support and spiritual formation for high school and college aged individuals.

Rev. Stephen Ott, Ph.D
Rev. Dr. Stephen Ott was ordained in 1973 by the Northwest Region of the ABCUSA. His BA degree (double major) is in Philosophy and Religion. Dr. Ott holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from California State University at Hayward. His M.Div degree is from Berkeley Baptist Divinity School (highest honors), now ABSW. Dr. Ott earned a Ph.D. in Religion and the Personality Sciences is from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He has taught M.Div students at Catholic and Protestant seminaries, graduate students in Marriage and Family Therapy at a Jesuit University; worked at a multi-state Family Health Clinic as senior staff therapist and Program Director; administered a large mental health center in Northern California, and for 17 years has been the Executive Director of the Center for Career Development and Ministry in Dedham, MA, a multi-state interfaith agency working with seminarians, rabbinical students, clergy and missionaries. Dr. Ott is a state licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor in AAMFT, and a Fellow in AAPC. He is endorsed as a Pastoral Counselor by the ABCUSA, and recognized as a “home missionary.” He has taught at the Samuel Proctor School of Theology since 1998.

Rev. Douglas Wheeler, D.Min.
Rev. Dr. Douglas Wheeler earned a BA in Religion from Bates College and a M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School. He was ordained for ministry by the Hartford Association (CT Conference), United Church of Christ in 1977. Dr. Wheeler completed his Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Counseling, also at ANTS. He subsequently completed a post-doctoral externship at the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy. After serving as a parish minister for nine years, Dr. Wheeler worked as a pastoral psychotherapist in geriatric and pastoral counseling settings before beginning his work as a vocational counselor at the Center for Career Development and Ministry. He served in several interim pastorates and has taught conflict mediation and training workshops. Dr. Wheeler is a National Board Certified Counselor, a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. He has been on staff at the Center for Career Development and Ministry since 1991.