Meet our Mindful Shenandoah Valley managers!
These beautiful souls are all long-time students of Shell’s who over the years were inspired to become more involved to help make sure things run smoothly for all during our time on retreat. Many of them also lead meditation groups and/or offer meditation classes in their communities (information below!). We are extremely grateful for their love, care, and deep dedication to their own practice and to the students who attend these retreats. 🙏🏽
IF YOU’D LIKE TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ANY OF OUR MANAGERS, PLEASE EMAIL US.
ABOUT THEM:
OUR MAIN MANAGER: ANN DESCHAMPS is a long-time student of Shell’s who has been practicing meditation in the Vipassana tradition since 2000, and loves creating space for people to practice. She is currently in the Brown University Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher Certification Program. She’s also an educator and facilitator who has been promoting meaningful work and community inclusion for people with disabilities for over 30 years. She has two grown children (and is the excited new grandmother to two little baby girls), one beagle mix named Gracie, and a cat, Perseus, who thinks she runs the house. Here’s a great article about Ann!Â
OUR ASST. MANAGER: NATE SMITH has had a dedicated meditation practice for well over a decade, formally beginning in the Shambhala tradition at a center in Baltimore. Returning to his home state of West Virginia in 2019, he’s been blessed with the opportunity to engage with and learn from Shell and the Mindful Shenandoah Valley sangha. He’s a father of three teenagers, a runner, an IT project manager, an ostensible handyman, and a lover of live music and the great outdoors. He wishes you (and himself) peace! Nate leads an open, online sangha on Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. It includes guided and silent meditation, a brief talk, and sharing.
OUR ASST. MANAGER: HOLLAND KEERIKATTE began studying with Shell in 2019 and has remained a dedicated student ever since. Drawing on her experience as a veteran, attorney, and mother of two young children, she is committed to finding and creating safe havens for reflection, connection, and care. Holland believes in the transformational power of listening to one’s own innate wisdom and is passionate about supporting others in discovering its potential. She lives with her family in Washington, DC. Holland co-leads a monthly in-person meditation group in NW D.C. on weekend mornings.
OUR ASST. MANAGER: LAURA GROTH was a dabbler in meditation until 2019 when a personal crisis (specifically, a dissertation defense) led her to google “can panic attacks give you an aneurism” and “silent meditation retreat Shenandoah”. Luckily she chose Shell’s meditation retreat over an MRI, and has been retreating ever since. When not in silence, Laura would love to talk your ear off about vegetarian food, the latest drama in her crazy coop building, and anything you’ve been reading lately. She lives in Washington DC with two fat cats, and sometimes, foster kittens. Laura co-leads a monthly in-person meditation group in NW D.C. on weekend mornings.
OUR ASST MANAGER: ELLIOTT WHITE is so glad meditation found him in 2016 and is honored to be one of Shell’s students. After innumerable life changing experiences on retreats, Elliott is excited to share in these priceless teachings with fellow travelers on the path. He runs a gym, reads books, plays basketball, cares for rescue dogs, and seeks to love a little more each day. Elliott leads an open, weekly online meditation group from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. It includes guided and silent meditation, a brief talk, and sharing. He also offers a weekly in-person Mindfulness Meditation class at Lake Ann Reston Community Center. (The next one is on Wednesdays 9/9-12/2 /26 from 6:30- 7:45 p.m.)
OUR ASST MANAGER: GINA HUMBERSTAD has been practicing meditation with Shell since 2022. Through her practice with the Mindful Shenandoah Valley Sangha, she has found greater peace, acceptance, and compassion while learning to embrace the wisdom of anicca — the understanding that all things are impermanent. She lives in Virginia with her Labrador, Graci, and is the proud mother of her daughter, Kamille, an equestrian whose dedication to dressage continues to inspire her.
OUR ASST. MANAGER: CHLOË MADDEN dabbled with meditation for many years, but didn’t become serious about her practice until she attended her first retreat with Shell. She is a caretaker for her pollinator garden, a huge genealogy and history buff, and part of a leadership team for an HR mentoring and leadership program. She lives in Winchester, VA and is currently taking a career break to allow her to share metta (loving kindness) through volunteerism. She credits Shell’s retreats with helping her recognize the importance of this personal goal.
OUR REGISTRATION MANGER: CHARLOTTE FREMAUX has been Shell’s student since 2017. After pursuing a career as an artist in the DC metro area, she now lives on the Blue Ridge Mountain in West Virginia where she is a Master Naturalist volunteer with Potomac Valley Audubon Society, participating in citizen science projects, working in their four preserves, and publishing their newsletter. She is happiest tinkering in her native garden and studying the working of nature, finding that to be the ultimate source of awe, presence, and peace. She has one grown child in California, and lives with three indoor cats, surrounded by the woods and many species of wild animal friends and neighbors.