Search Committee Member Biographies
Chris Knight
(Chair)
I am a lifelong Episcopalian originally from New York and came to St. Louis in 1981. My wife Sandy (Catholic) and I decided to make St. Peter’s our church home in 1982 after we were married. We have 3 grown children (Adam, Evan, and Audrey) who were all baptized and raised in the church here at St. Peter's.
I’ve been involved in a variety of activities at St. Peter's over the years including 16 years as a Sunday School Teacher, Chair of the Sunday School Commission, vestry member a couple times and more recently, Sr. Warden. Cooking is one of my hobbies that I have practiced as part of the startup team for Sunday morning breakfasts and have remained part of the Breakfast Crew for Sundays and the monthly Men’s Breakfast as well. I am also a member of St. Peter’s Cares Meal Ministry and more recently, a member of the Outreach Committee and lead St. Peter’s efforts supporting Outreach Haiti.
I received a PhD in Animal Nutrition from Purdue University and worked first at Monsanto and then Novus International (a spin off from Monsanto) in research, product development and business development in the field of animal nutrition and health. I retired in 2015 as SVP Research and Product Development and Chief Innovation Officer and currently consult privately for a variety of startup companies in the same field. Much of my work life has been involved with leading teams of smart people in cross functional relationships to achieve challenging goals that cannot be achieved individually. This required building cross functional development processes and gaining consensus for both the processes and inter-departmental decision rights. Said differently, I like working with people to get things done. My hope is that these experiences have prepared me to lead a great group of parishioners who have committed to serve on the search committee to find the next Rector for St. Peter’s who will embrace the vision of our congregation and help lead us to what we can yet become.
The Rev. Susie Skinner
(Chaplain)
Having grown up in the Disciples of Christ (Christian) Church in Eastern Kentucky, I became an Episcopalian when I met my soon-to-be husband at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. We moved to St. Louis when he was called as an assisting priest at Emmanuel Church in Webster Groves. Soon after moving here we had our first, and only, child. Widowed for 23 years, I am blessed that my son and his family live within ten minutes of my home. I dote on my three grandchildren; Charlie (12), Ellie (10), and Kate (8.)
I have a B.A. from Transylvania University, a M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a M.Div. from Eden Seminary. Ordained in 1981, I spent 20 years ministering at Emmanuel, first as Associate Rector and then later as Rector. In retirement, I have served as Interim Rector at a number of St. Louis congregations. In 2014 and 2015, I was an assisting priest at St. Peter’s, the church I now happily call home. At St. Peter’s, in addition to participating in Sunday liturgies, I have celebrated at the Wednesday evening Eucharist, taught several classes, and now serve as the chaplain to the search committee.
The Diocese of Missouri has been very important to me and I have been involved in many of its ministries. My current activities include serving on the Boards of Care and Counseling and Episcopal City Mission. Appointed by the Bishop, I also serve as chaplain to the Retired Clergy and Spouses of the diocese.
My interest in Benedictine and Celtic spirituality led me to co-found “Confluence: A Center for Spirituality,” a “roofless” center which provides spiritual direction, retreats, Bible studies, and pilgrimages to the remote island of Iona. These pilgrimages have been foundational in the deepening of my spirituality.
The call of a new rector is a fundamental milestone in the life of a parish church and as the chaplain to the search committee; I look forward to providing whatever spiritual assistance I can to those called to seek St. Peter’s next rector.
Mokie Carmichael
St. Peter's Church has always been an important part of my life. A lifelong Episcopalian, I am a third, possibly fourth, generation family member at our wonderful church. I was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Peter’s and my husband even proposed to me in the beautiful Columbarium where my grandparents rest.
Soon after graduating from the University of the South – Sewanee, I moved to New York City where I lived for twelve years. For the first two years, I worked at a small asset management firm. I then moved to Morgan Stanley where I worked in their Private Wealth Management Division. While in New York, I met my husband Brendan. Our first child (William) was born there and baptized at St. James' Episcopal Church. Shortly after William’s birth, we moved back to St. Louis.
Since our return, we have had two more children (Locke and Mac) both of whom were baptized at St. Peters. All three boys have attended the St. Peter’s play group and we have really enjoyed all that St. Peter’s has to offer for young families. After the birth of our second son I went back to work for Morgan Stanley in St. Louis but have tried as much as possible to stay active at St. Peters. I currently serve on the Outreach committee and our children partake in the various children focused services that St. Peters provides (Sunday school, VBS, Sandwich makers, etc.). St. Peter’s was such an integral party of my life growing up. It is an important part of our lives now and I want to continue that tradition for the future.
I enjoy traveling with my husband and sons, skiing, and cooking on the weekends when the hectic kid’s sports’ schedule allows.
Sarah Fouke
I was raised in the Presbyterian church here in St. Louis, and came to the Episcopalian church through my husband, Luke, who is a lifelong Episcopalian. His parents were married at St. Peter’s! We returned to St. Louis five years ago, having found an initial home at Epiphany Parish in Seattle, and were pleased to find St. Peter’s a welcoming place to resume our lives in St. Louis.
I have fond memories of my own church upbringing as a child, whether it was Sunday school, youth groups, or the church choir, and we have been active with our children (Lily, Emma and Boardie) at St. Peter’s. The church has brought us friends and community, and support through more challenging times, and I look forward to playing a role in the search process as we look toward the future together.
I was born and raised in St. Louis, attended John Burroughs School and then Princeton University. I then returned to St. Louis for medical school and residency at Washington University. I currently serve as a neurosurgeon at St. Luke’s Hospital here in St. Louis. Luke owns a private finance company. With this, we juggle kids’ sports, community obligations, and time with family. We’re fortunate to have the church as a grounding influence amidst the chaos!
Laurie Haffenreffer
I was born and raised in St. Louis and have a deep sense of pride for my community and my parish. I was raised with the core value of volunteerism and often call to mind a phrase in a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson “to leave the world a better place, to know that one life has breathed easier...”
I was raised a Catholic but I have long felt an attachment to St. Peter’s since, as a student at Mary Institute, I had the opportunity to cross Warson Road and attend services during Lent and Advent. My impression even then was that St. Peter’s doors were open to all.
My husband, John, raised in an ELCA Lutheran congregation outside Boston, MA, and I were married in St. Louis in 1978 and soon after began attending an ELCA church in Webster Groves. Our three children were “raised” in that church. As empty nesters, we felt a call to find a new church home and soon thereafter became members at St. Peter’s. Our son, Chris and his wife Kate, and their three children also worship at St. Peter’s. Our daughter Lisa lives in San Francisco and our daughter Annie and her husband Brad live outside Chicago and have two young sons.
In 2016, I became a member of the Vestry and later served as Senior Warden. My predecessor, Chris Knight, told me, on my becoming Senior Warden, that my faith and spirituality would be profoundly deepened by serving St. Peter’s in this capacity. A wise man!
Currently I am serving as Stewardship Chair for the parish. I enjoy attending the Rector’s Forum as well as delivering flowers at Easter and Christmas with my grandchildren.
In the community, my volunteerism has ranged from Goodwill to Edgewood Children’s Center to the Science Center but most recently my concentration has been in the area of education, assisting with program development at a charter school in north city and serving as a VP on the Board of Directors at Central Institute for the Deaf.
During my term as Senior Warden, the Vestry lead the parish in conversation and reflection with the “Lift Us to the Joy Divine” long range planning. Leading that planning committee and parish listening sessions makes me feel well prepared to be a part of this search committee.
I feel very blessed and grateful to have served my church and will draw on my faith, spirituality and prayer in again serving on behalf of my fellow parishioners.
Amy Hilmer
I was baptized and attended Lutheran Church as a child. During residency I met my husband, Mauricio Sanchez, who was a practicing Catholic. We attended mass together during the early years of our marriage. As our family grew, our faith also expanded. We finally found ourselves at Emmanuel Episcopal in Webster Groves. A few years ago, we moved to Ladue and found our new home at St. Peter’s. We have felt so welcomed. I am thrilled to be part of this loving community.
I graduated from medical school in 1999 and came back to St. Louis to do a residency in Internal Medicine at Washington University. It is there I met my husband. We married in 2003 in the Catholic Church. We now have 4 children, Mateo (16), Carolina (14), Gabriel (11), and Johanna (8).
I work at Places For People, a nonprofit that cares for an underserved population and provides comprehensive mental and physical health care for people suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. I feel incredibly blessed to have found a meaningful way to live my faith daily through my work.
Outside of work and family, I enjoy reading, hiking and yoga.
Allan Ivie
With over 37 years of experience in the banking industry, Mr. Ivie currently serves as President of Community Affairs and Corporate Banking for Simmons Bank.
His prior experience includes nine years as President of Reliance Bank and CEO of Reliance Bancshares. Reliance Bancshares was sold to Simmons First National Corporation in April 2019. Prior to his time with Reliance, Mr. Ivie served 10 years as President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of The PrivateBank where he was one of the three founders in 2000. Mr. Ivie also spent over 17 years with The Boatmen’s National Bank of St. Louis (acquired by NationsBank and Bank of America) where he held various senior leadership positions in retail banking, corporate banking, and private banking.
Mr. Ivie has been actively involved in several civic and non-profit organizations and currently serves as President of the Board for Youth and Family Center. He also currently sits on the Board of Directors for The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Justine PETERSEN, The Backstoppers, and Rise Community Development. He previously served as Chairman of the Saint Louis Art Fair, Chairman of The Children’s Home Society of Missouri, Treasurer of MICDS, and Treasurer of the City of Brentwood.
He and his wife Page have six children; Peter, Harrison, Christopher, Charles, Hopie, and Nell. Mr. Ivie grew up in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from The University of Virginia in 1983 with a B.A. in History and Economics.
Hedy Lee
I was baptized as a Catholic, but now consider myself to be Anglican. I was raised in Philadelphia and have lived in many states to complete my education. I came to Saint Louis in 2017 to work at Washington University. My husband Eric (a Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Mercy Hospital) and I decided to make Saint Peter’s our church in 2018. Prior to coming to Saint Louis we were members of Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, WA. We have one daughter (Zora) who was baptized in Saint John’s Anglican Church in Saint Croix, USVI, where a majority of my family resides. I am still new to Saint Peter’s but already feel part of the community and am excited to learn and grow as an individual and as a family within this church home.
I am a Professor of Sociology at Washington University in Saint Louis and hold a courtesy joint appointment at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work. I am also the associate director of the University’s new Center on the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Equity. I received my BS in Policy Analysis from Cornell University in 2003 and my PhD in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2009. After receiving my PhD, I was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health from 2009 to 2011. Prior to joining Washington University, I was a Professor at the University of Washington Department of Sociology in Seattle where I remain a faculty affiliate of the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology. I serve on the board of the Population Association of America and the advisory board for the Vera Institute for Justice. I am also a member of the General Social Survey Board of Overseers and a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Committee on Population. I am broadly interested in the social determinants and consequences of population health and health disparities in the United States. More specifically, I examine the ways that structural racism negatively impacts the health of racial/ethnic minority populations. I care deeply about eliminating inequality and creating a more just society. I hope that this church will continue its efforts to dismantle racism and other forms of oppression, promote peace and justice, and embrace the larger Saint Louis community. I am humbled to serve as a member of this search committee.
Sally Lemkemeier
Having grown up in the Presbyterian Church, my husband Ned introduced me to the Episcopal Church. We have been members at St. Peter’s for 54 years. We have been through numerous changes at St Peter’s, and are enjoying its best period yet.
We have two sons, brought up at St. Peter’s. They each have wonderful families, giving us five grandchildren.
Outreach has always been a priority for me. Ten of us on the STP Outreach Committee opened The Haven of Grace in 1988, providing residential care for homeless, pregnant young women. Our expanded ministry there continues to thrive today in its 32nd year.
My involvement at STP started with teaching Sunday School when our boys were that age. In the 1970's I joined the Friday Morning Prayer Group, which continues today. I have been on the vestry. I was on the Search Committee that brought Luke to St. Peter’s. I attend the Woman’s Guild on Tuesday’s, Kelly’s class on Wednesday’s, and I love Sunday mornings with breakfast and the Rector’s Forum. I am a member of the St. Peter’s Cares ministry, serving on the Prayer Team.
Danny Orthwein
I am one of two co-founders of Truck Driver Power Inc., a software company aiming to place drivers in better paying jobs with trucking companies. Civically, I am also on the board of Churchill Center & School. Amongst some of my favorite hobbies are cooking, playing tennis, and bowling. I’m not married but I do have a wonderful dog named Rearden who is a rescue Aussie Red Heeler.
I grew up attending St. Peters and it is a place near and dear to my heart. I attended Indiana University for undergrad. After undergrad I moved to Nashville, TN to work as a general analyst at Lipman Brothers, Inc., a Wine, Spirits & Beer wholesaler. After leaving Lipman Brothers, I transitioned my career into software and have been working in that space for the past 7 years.
Currently, I am enjoying living in my University City home and spend most of my time pursuing hobbies or entertaining with friends. I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of this process and to ensure St. Peter's continues to have exceptional leadership for many years ahead.
DeWayne Trainer
(Vestry, Sr. Warden)
My partner, Mark Pye, and I moved to St. Louis from Atlanta, Georgia, in 2013 to allow Mark to pursue a new career opportunity with Edward Jones Trust Company. Soon after moving we joined St. Peter's and were married in Grave Chapel in 2015 on our eleventh anniversary. We live in Lindenwood Park in South City with our 2 French Bulldogs, a cat and 3 parakeets. We are both native South Carolinians.
Since joining the St. Peter's I have served and continue to serve in many capacities in our parish and diocese – tenor in the choir, diocesan delegate, St. Peter's Cares Food Ministry, Communications Committee, Lector, Diocesan Commission on Ministry (DCOM), Eucharistic Minister, Vestry (currently serving as the Sr. Warden) and, now, it is my pleasure to serve on the search committee.
Professionally, my career has mainly been focused in parish administration (St. Philip's Cathedral, Atlanta), project management, e-commerce, digital marketing and merchandising (The Home Depot, homedepot.com) and currently web design, search engine and content management with Edward Jones. I hold Bachelor (Birmingham-Southern College) and Master (University of Akron) degrees in Vocal Performance.
Much of my work life has required building cross-functional partnerships, setting strategy and implementation. It is my hope that my work and church experiences equip me well in leading and navigating our transition to a new chapter in our amazing 151 year history and in finding a new rector.