Board of Directors

Our Directors

The World Prayers Project was organized in June 2001 under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes.

Current Board Members

• Jody Baxter
  Volunteer President & CEO, The World Prayers Project
  Internet Developer & Designer, Mandala Net Design

  Jody is the president and founding director of The World Prayers Project. He is also a co-owner and design partner of Mandala Net Design, an Internet consulting, design and development company.

  During a long illness in the early 90's, the first seeds of the World Prayers project took root in Jody's imagination and as he slowly recovered, Jody set about designing and building the original website which he launched on December 31, 1999. Within a very short time, World Prayers became the leading resource on the Internet for prayer study and inspiration. In 2001, World Prayers received international recognition with a WEBBY AWARD nomination as one of the best spirituality websites in the world. Due to the overwhelming global response and popularity of the website, Jody founded the nonprofit World Prayers Project (a volunteer driven organization) to oversee the continuing development of the project.

  Today, World Prayers has grown into one of the largest and most popular multifaith prayer resources in the world.

• Justine Willis Toms
  Author, Radio Host & Cofounder, New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network

  Justine is cofounder and executive director of New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network and the managing producer and host of the New Dimensions radio series. She serves as the editor-in-chief of the New Dimensions Journal and is author of Small Pleasures: Finding Grace in a Chaotic World and co-author of True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do. Justine has been bestowed an honorary doctorate from the Association for Transpersonal Psychology and inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

• Claudia L'Amoreaux
  Author & Educational Consultant, Learning Conversations

  Claudia is founder and director of the Haven Learning Center—Haven provides professional development for educators on transformational learning, and coaching and mentoring programs for young people and their families. Claudia's extensive range of work includes editing several popular spirituality books, and producing the Global Issues and Education Channels for Deja News, the first web portal to UseNet's discussion forums. Her "edge-ucation" work was included in the BBC World Radio's Guide to the New Millennium. She co-authored the book Creating Learning Communities (Solomon Press, 2000), published GreenTimes an environmental publication and has written A Book of Gaia—an e-book of invocations, poetry and prayer celebrating life on Earth.

• Craig Cheatham
  Digital Artist & Technician, Pacific Image Works

  Craig is a visual artist and digital technician who's published work combines large format photography with the magic of digital art. He is the owner of Pacific Image Works, a provider of professional photo illustration and fine art printing services. Craig also has a degree in Humanistic and Transpersonal Psychology from Johnston College, University of Redlands and a graduate degree from the Transformational Arts Institute.

• Cynthia Cunningham Baxter
  Secretary, The World Prayers Project
  Artist & Graphic Designer, Mandala Net Design

  Cynthia currently serves as the secretary and treasurer of The World Prayers Project. She is also a highly regarded visual artist and designer. Her illustrations and art work have been published nationally and reproduced commercially. She is co-owner and design partner of Mandala Net Design. Cynthia is passionately engaged in the study of world cultures, arts and spirituality.

• Jennifer Baker, BSN, CHPN
  Director of Hospice Clinical Services

  Jennifer is a hospice nurse, visual artist, and student of world spiritual traditions. In addition to bringing clinical expertise to her staff and patients, she utilizes poetry, prayer, and art as a way of connecting and supporting those who are experiencing the transition of living into dying. Jennifer is a summa cum laude graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University and has her certification in Hospice and Palliative Nursing.

• Danu Schoeck
  Development Director, NAMI Santa Cruz County

  Danu is a mother, wife, daughter, dancer, nonprofit professional, and lifelong learner. She stands for compassion, equity, and loving connection for herself and all others. These values serve as an undercurrent, guiding her work within the community. Danu is the founder and creative director of Heartbeat Dance Fitness. More recently, her work has focused on nonprofit fundraising, helping community organizations to connect and align with the caring supporters who fuel their important work. Danu is currently the Development Director for NAMI Santa Cruz County, an organization working to increase well-being for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.

Emeritus Directors

• Margaret Levasseur (deceased 2022)
  Child Educator, California Public Schools

  Margaret is a retired school teacher, child mentor, director and community member serving on several nonprofit boards. She has worked closely with children of all ages, ethnic and cultural backgrounds for many years while teaching in the public school system.

• Michael Toms (deceased 2013)
  Author, Radio Host & Cofounder, New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network
  

  Michael is the founding president of New Dimensions Foundation, cofounder of New Dimensions World Broadcasting Network, and executive producer and principle host of the award-winning New Dimensions radio series. He is the recipient of two honorary doctorates for his vanguard work in media and is an adjunct professor at Union Graduate School. A writer, seminar leader, communications marketing, and fund-raising consultant, he has worked with hundreds of organizations.

See also our Advisory Council.