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The Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy | Panelist

The Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy is a thanatologist, public theologian, and founder of Thoughtful Transitions, LLC. She specializes in grief support, trauma-informed care, and death doula services, working within communities impacted by violence. Dr. Jamie is dedicated to challenging oppressive systems and creating sacred spaces for healing. As an educator, chaplain, and activist, she combines her passion for justice, faith, and holistic well-being to nurture individuals through life’s most difficult transitions. She has consulted and provided transformative learning experiences for universities, religious, non-profit and community organizations as well as the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office. Dr. Jamie Eaddy is a sought-after speaker, preacher, educator, and consultant committed to cultivating radically inclusive, equitable spaces for healing and belonging and to the transformative power of combining faith, love, and activism. 

Richard E. McCarron, Ph.D. | Panelist

Richard E. McCarron, Ph.D., teaches in the areas of liturgical and sacramental theology, ritual studies, liturgical history of the east and west, liturgy and culture, and catechesis. His research areas are liturgy and sacrament in the context of postmodernities; hermeneutics and liturgy; and liturgical inculturation and postcolonial studies. His current research project focuses on an engagement of liturgy and theologies of sacrament with food studies.

Ellen Posman, Ph.D. | Panelist

Ellen Posman, Ph.D., holds degrees in comparative religion from Stanford University, Harvard University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. She teaches a variety of classes on themes in comparative religion such as religion and violence, religion and the environment, religion and women, religion in America and religion and the afterlife, in addition to specialized classes in her specific areas of expertise, Asian religions and Judaism.

Rabbi Katja Vehlow, Ph.D. | Panelist

Rabbi Katja Vehlow, Ph.D., currently serves as  the university chaplain and campus rabbi at Fordham University in New York City. She previously trained as a hospital chaplain at Maimonides Medical Center and taught religious studies at the University of South Carolina Columbia.

Tahira Wellman | Panelist

Tahira Wellman is an advanced practicing inpatient internal medicine PA at Montefiore Medical Center with 17 years with experience in the fields of internal medicine, cardiology, medical oncology and clinical research. She is currently completing a second masters degree in Islamic Religious Leadership and Islamic Studies from Boston Islamic Seminary, after receiving a full scholarship as a MAS (Muslim American Society) fellow. She has served as a hospital chaplain and interfaith liaison at Hackensack University Medical Center part-time. Her educational background includes: Wellesley College, BA in biological science; Rutgers University, M.S. as a certified Advanced Practicing Physician Assistant; Boston Islamic Seminary, MIRL (Masters in Islamic Religious Leadership/Islamic Studies); Brandeis University, Middlebury College School of Languages, Fajr Center – Cairo, Egypt and Al Albayt University, Mufraq, Jordan for the study of Arabic Language/Grammar and Aqidah.

The Rev. Dr. Alisha Wimbush | Moderator

The Rev. Dr. Alisha Wimbush is the ICJS program director for religious leaders. She has a B.A. in Social Work from Messiah College and is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, where she earned both her M.Div. and a Th.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Most recently Alisha served as an Associate Chaplain at a continuing care retirement community in Pennsylvania. She has more than 15 years of experience working and providing leadership in nonprofit and congregational settings. She is passionate about building bridges across diverse communities and finding creative ways to foster relationships.