The Way Between Team

  • A woman with short blonde hair and blue eyes standing outdoors near a tree with green leaves.

    Sara Simons

    Founder, CEO, Coach

    Sara desires to take the chaos out of transition and be on the bridge of the way between with ministry and non-profit leaders in the transition and sabbatical seasons. She is a creative catalyst, innovative thinker, and strategic connector as CEO, coach, consultant, and resource developer.

    Sara is no stranger to transition, having moved more than 30 times in her life. Her experience through several hard transitions and foreign moves gives her a unique capacity for understanding first-hand the complexities of decision-making involved with transition. Utilizing whole-brain engagement while strategically planning is her unique contribution to transition resilience, sabbatical support, and vocational discernment work. Doing this in nature, using art, or while traveling is a bonus!

    She continues to create and innovate with multi-modal approaches to navigating major life transitions, including the creation of The Art of Transition Workbook & textbook (coming soon).

    Sara holds a BA in Psychology, an MA in Intercultural Studies and ICF coaching credentials. Sara has served for over 22 years in full-time ministry and non-profit work, and in cross-cultural settings, including England and Spain for 10 of those years.

  • A middle-aged man with short blond hair, a beard, and blue eyes wearing a green button-up shirt standing outdoors in front of a large leafy tree.

    Jeff Simons

    Partner, COO, Coach, Missiologist

    Jeff is a missiologist at his core. He works out this passion as a trained leadership coach, writer, speaker, and cross-cultural companion to global leaders in major transition to, within, and from the field. His unique wiring plays out as a resource developer, strategic innovator, and a restorative artist—by empowering the journeys of workers forward through redemptive new expressions.

    He “hammers” out his passion through the artistic spiritual disciplines of up-cycled wood working and literary wordsmithing. He’s a contemplative, ascetic, pilgrim, egalitarian, and strategist for Kingdom growth.

    Jeff holds a BA in Psychology, an MA in Intercultural Studies & Leadership Development, and ICF coaching credentials. He has served for over 22 years in full-time ministry and non-profit work, and in cross-cultural settings, including Korea and Spain for 10 of those years.

    His relocation to Colorado with the family during the global pandemic has only increased his compassion for working with nonprofit leaders in complex transitions. You can find him adventuring and exploring the trails of Colorado or on pilgrimage paths around the globe!

  • Smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and beard taking a selfie by the water at sunset, city skyline and mountains in the background.

    Hans Anderson

    Spiritual Director & Pilgrimage Guide

    Hans has been a cross-cultural worker much of his life. He is a trained coach and spiritual director, and lives in Alhaurin de la Torre, Spain. He has 2 kids.

  • A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes taking a selfie outdoors in a lush green landscape with rolling hills and trees in the background.

    Heidi Ansiel

    Marketing & Media Designer

    Heidi is an innovative digital strategist and a creative designer. She has over 10 years of experience designing websites and digital solutions in Christian ministry and cross-cultural contexts.

    Heidi lived in Slovenia for 6 years, equipping and developing young leaders. She is familiar with transition, grief, and the complexity of cross-cultural ministry. The Way Between offered Heidi vocational discernment coaching and a transition cohort as she returned to the States. This was tremendous support for her during a difficult transition.

    Heidi holds a BA in Digital Media and is trained in Narrative Focused Trauma Care, Level II, at the Allender Center. She aspires to earn her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the near future.

    Heidi likes to eat tacos, longboard, hike, laugh, and keep it real.

  • A woman with short gray hair, wearing glasses, a green blouse, and beige pants, sitting on a stone bench in a park during sunset.

    Eve Austin

    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Pilgrimage Guide

    Eve Austin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in California and Idaho. In addition, she offers therapy to Global Workers in the context of international Soul Care retreats. She and her husband, Tim Austin, pioneered a Couples Camino model and began working with The Way Between in 2023. She has traveled to 50 countries and lived in Tajikistan and Turkey for 20 years with her family.

  • A man with glasses and a black t-shirt sitting on outdoor stairs surrounded by green bushes and trees.

    Tim Austin

    Life & Leadership Coach, Pilgrimage Guide

    Tim is a life and leadership coach who helps people find clarity and direction in the midst of life and vocational transitions. Along with his wife Eve, he partners with The Way Between to facilitate couples' pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago, creating space for connection, reflection, and renewal. Having lived abroad for more than two decades, Tim brings a global perspective and deep appreciation for the transformative power of journey.

  • Close-up of smiling middle-aged man with short hair and a beard, wearing a white t-shirt, standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Jon Brandi

    Nutrition & Fitness Coach Consultant

    Jon Brandi is a holistic wellness coach and consultant with over two decades of experience walking alongside individuals as they discover their capacity for healing and flourishing. Drawing from his own journey through anxiety, depression, and hypothyroidism, he brings deep empathy and a whole-person approach, integrating fitness, nutrition, breathwork, mindset, and nervous system regulation into personalized support. Art, music, and poetry have been central to his own restoration, and that creative, soulful thread runs through the way he guides others. Jon is passionate about supporting others to align with their inner wisdom and the life they were created to live.

  • Close-up of a smiling man with dark hair and a beard, sitting indoors with large windows behind him showing a cityscape with a building and trees.

    Marcus Dipsilas

    Visual Storyteller

    Marcus is a talented photographer, videographer, and writer who has traveled the globe helping non-profit leaders tell their stories well! Originally from Malaysia, he now lives in Minnesota with his wife.

  • Illustration of a woman with medium-length brown hair wearing a gray shirt against a dark green background.

    Jackie Nelson

    Administrator

  • A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, glasses, a denim shirt, and a black t-shirt, outdoors with a body of water and cloudy sky in the background.

    Dale Pierce

    Sabbatical Coach, Pastor

    Having served the church as a worship pastor and lead pastor for over 33 years, Dale loves coming alongside leaders to listen and support them through the various seasons of joy and challenge that come–often at the same time! Dale enjoys encouraging and equipping people to take their next step toward wholeness and flourishing. He has been married to Jen for 34 years. They have 3 incredible children and 12 energetic grandchildren. Dale currently serves TWB in sabbatical coaching, having experienced the gift and shaping of two sabbaticals later in ministry AND ministry/life burnout in his first 15 years that a sabbatical might have prevented. Dale enjoys reading in multiple genres (scifi/fantasy for fun!) and driving his 4x4 up the sides of mountains throughout Colorado.

  • Smiling woman with short brown hair wearing a blue dress with white floral pattern, standing in front of a green wooden fence.

    Elizabeth Robertson

    Coach & Pilgrimage Guide

    Elizabeth is a leadership coach and nonprofit administrator and lives in Lakewood, CO, with her husband and 3 kids.

  • Smiling woman with long hair and earrings at the beach, with ocean waves and rocks in the background.

    Julia Vanderwerf

    Intercultural Coach & Pilgrimage Guide

    Julia is the Founder of Rooted Mosaic, an intercultural coach, leadership and operational strategist, and lifelong learner. Her work sits at the intersection of identity, culture, and belonging, shaped by a lifelong desire to help people live with purpose and show up in the world with integrity and courage. She lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband and 3 kids.

The Way Between Board Members

  • Close-up of a smiling elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing glasses, earrings, a necklace, and a blue athletic top outdoors with blurred trees and a fence in the background.

    Dr. Elizabeth Glanville

    Board Member

    Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" Glanville, has recently retired (for the 4th time) from Fuller Theological Seminary, where she was Director of Doctoral Studies and Admin-Faculty for the past 25 years. She had the opportunity to help reframe Fuller Theological Seminary’s practical doctoral program for people working in missions around the world, transforming it from a dying program into a vibrant cohort-based program. One of her favorite vacations is to spend a week on a hundred-foot schooner, where she can participate in all the work of sailing the boat: hauling halyards, trimming sails, coiling lines, and even taking a turn behind the wheel!

  • Close-up of a smiling older man with gray hair, wearing a dark blue plaid shirt, outdoors with blurred green trees in the background.

    Mike Harrison

    Board Member

    Mike has a long history of mission and cross-cultural involvement and currently lives out his giftings as a strategic empowerer of leaders through targeted Board engagement. After a 27-year business career with Johns Manville Corporation, Mike transitioned into full-time Christian ministry, serving as an Elder and Missions Pastor at Calvary Bethany Church. His post-graduate work includes an MBA from the University of Denver and an MA in Global Leadership from Fuller Seminary.

    Mike has a passion for Global Missions and seeks to mobilize others into Kingdom work, both locally and globally. He sees the ministry of The Way Between as a critical resource in helping Christian workers discover their calling and successfully navigate ministry transitions.

    Mike and his wife, Becky, live in Sedalia, Colorado, and are blessed to be fully engaged in the lives of their two grown daughters, their sons-in-law, and their four grandchildren, all of whom live in the Denver area.

  • A smiling woman with long blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a pink eyelet blouse, standing outdoors with a blurred background of trees and a blue sky.

    Hunter Olson

    Board Member & Treasurer

    Hunter Olson is a board member & Treasurer of The Way Between, a retired Executive Director of Splice, and former CPA. She has more than 30 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, project management and budgeting. During her career, she was known for building high-performing teams, solving complex problems and leading the industry with valued solutions.

    Hunter is passionate about caring for global leaders, supporting nonprofits working abroad, and volunteering locally at nonprofits that serve families in need. She holds a BA in Accounting from Converse College & a Masters in Taxation from the University of Denver. She brings expertise in financial oversight, taxation and budgeting.

    Hunter lives in Lakewood, Colorado with her husband Marshall. Together they enjoy their three adult children, their precious daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren who all also live in Colorado!