Staff
Spirit in the Desert is fortunate to have 15 dedicated and gifted staff members. The staff members listed below are the ones you will likely encounter during your stay at the Center.
Paul Campbell, Executive Director, brings a variety of experiences to his call including former parish pastor, business owner, television production and consultant. Paul sees Spirit in the Desert as a very special setting that allows open and safe discovery and conversation. The Center provides the perfect environment for personal retreat and reflection as well as offering an unbiased environment for people of all faiths and perspectives to gather to learn from each other. Paul and his wife Donna, have three grown children, Chrissa, Katie, and Josh and one adorable grandson, Lucas.
Mary Koch, Operations Manager, has a twenty-seven year career in the field of banking. During that time she was Assistant Vice President of Loan Operations for a major bank on Long Island, New York. Born and raised on the Island, Mary met her husband Richie at a company picnic in 1987 and they were married 3 years later. In 2005, after looking for a warm, family friendly environment to raise their son Keith, they found Anthem and decided to make Arizona their home. Mary is thrilled to be a part of the team at Spirit in the Desert and is proud that her role helps to contribute to the preservation of the wonderful ministry that is the heart and soul of SITD.
Sierra Lutke, Head Chef, was born and raised near Flathead Lake in Montana. She spent 6 years studying nutrition, sports nutrition, massage and culinary arts. She hails from a fairly non-traditional culinary background having worked in an institutional setting in Scotland. Supervised food purchasing and preparation in Bolivia and Mongolia, and worked 4 years at a non-profit camp in northwest Montana. In her role at Spirit in the Desert as kitchen manager and head chef, she strives to create healthy and delicious menus using the freshest available ingredients. She specializes in Artisan baking including a variety of pastries and scones, homespun desserts and delicious breads.
Marnie Robbins, Event Coordinator, grew up in the Cave Creek/Carefree area and has lived here off and on for 26 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing, which she recently acquired while working, partnering with Habitat for Humanity, and raising her two children, Courtney and Bobby. She has 7 years of various hotel experience and over seven years of administrative experience working at a Lutheran Church in Carefree. Marnie is delighted to continue working in a “family atmosphere” that is located in a beautiful area and has given her the opportunity to learn new things, and meet many wonderful people as well as keeping in touch with old friends and acquaintances from her former position at the church.
Cyndy Warnier, Executive Assistant, has worn many hats in her life, starting in dental hygiene, music teacher, then following God’s call into full-time music ministry. She joined our staff at Spirit in September 2008 and continues to volunteer in music at her church, her chaplaincy with the National Forest Service and is an avid shutter-bug and lover of God’s creation. Cyndy and her husband Al, moved out here 20 years ago from northern Wisconsin. They fell in love with the desert immediately and have traveled just about every corner of Arizona in their RV. Cyndy's joy in life is any form of ministry from the campground to the office and she is excited to be part of the team and the meaningful ministry of Spirit in the Desert.