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Staff & Leadership

The Academy’s day-to-day operations are led by the Academy Staff at The Upper Room in Nashville, TN. The Academy’s Advisory Board offers spiritual guidance and wisdom to the staff and The Academy movement, helping shape strategic vision and priorities. Each Two-Year Academy is led by a Leadership Team comprised of a retreat leader, theologian, hospitality coordinator, covenant group coordinator, and worship leader. These are contract positions held by graduates of the Two-Year Academy who demonstrate the gifts and graces for Academy leadership. We are grateful for all who help lead The Academy throughout the world.

Johnny Sears

JOHNNY SEARS (HE/HIM)

Executive Director, Upper Room Programs;

Director, The Academy for Spiritual Formation

Johnny came to The Upper Room in 2010 as the Director of The Academy for Spiritual Formation. He is a native of Kentucky and a layperson who holds a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Louisville Speed Scientific School. Prior to joining the staff at The Upper Room, Johnny spent twelve years as a specialist in product design and sustainable practices for Lexmark International. His ministry is driven by a deep passion to help people awaken to and embrace the contemplative life for their own transformation and, ultimately, for the healing of the world.

Johnny studied at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and is a graduate of the Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation (Academy #25). He is a certified Myers-Briggs Practitioner, certified Pastoral Counseling Specialist through the AAPC, an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator, and trained facilitator for the Confronting Whiteness experience. Johnny has also studied with Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal to become a Circles of Trust® facilitator. He has published a number of articles for Weavings spiritual journal and has served as a retreat leader and spiritual director for various groups, including the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living.

Johnny lives in Nashville with his spouse and high school sweetheart, Becky. They have two sons, Ian and Asher. When not working, Johnny loves attending Nashville Soccer Club games, hiking, and driving his Miata roadster on twisty mountain roads as a spiritual practice of wonder and play.

Brooke Foster

BROOKE FOSTER (SHE/HER)

Upper Room Programs Team

Formational Ministries Project Manager

Brooke is a certified candidate for ordained ministry as a deacon in the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. A spiritual formation leader, program developer, and writer, she is dedicated to cultivating welcoming, safe, and nurturing spaces of community and creating opportunities for connection, reflection, and practical theological learning. Based in Princeton, NJ, Brooke also serves as a congregational youth director, accompanying young people in their spiritual growth and community life.

She holds a BA from Lipscomb University and an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she also earned certificates in Theology, Ecology, and Faith Formation and Women, Theology, and Gender.

In her free time, you can find her crafting, quilting, or curled up on her porch with a good book, a hot cup of coffee, and her corgi, Friday.

Stephanie Pinson

STEPHANIE PINSON (SHE/HER)

Upper Room Programs Team

Administrative Coordinator

Stephanie joined the Upper Room staff in April 2025 as the Team Administrative Coordinator for Upper Room Programs, managing the administrative operations for all of our program ministries as well as providing hospitable and relational customer service for our program communities. A native of Arkansas, Stephanie is a dedicated professional with a background in office administration and team coordination. She prides herself on being a strong communicator who is also highly organized and detail oriented.

Stephanie and her husband, Craig, have four children. They live in Nashville where they enjoy the unlimited supply of coffee shops and restaurants, shows at the Ryman and Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and Nashville Soccer Club matches. When not working, Stephanie likes to spend her time with family and traveling.

Advisory Board Members