Claire Anderson
Executive Director
Claire holds an Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry degree from the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and is the Executive Director of Siena Retreat Center. She draws on global experiences, including living in Poland, in her exploration of cosmology, culture, and spirituality. She is the author of Seasons of the Slavic Soul: A Quest for an Authentic Polish Spirituality.
Contact Claire: canderson@sienaretreatcenter.org
Vicky Curtiss
Program Director
Vicky leads retreats and programs, offers spiritual guidance for individuals, and collaboratively oversees and prepares for the annual retreat and program offerings sponsored by the Siena Retreat Center. She has an M. Div. from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for forty years as an ordained clergyperson in the roles of pastor, spiritual director, and presbytery executive. She has also been director of three non-profits with mission outreach. She is the author of “Guidelines for Communal Discernment.” Vicky loves reading, quilting, watching films, being in nature, and engaging in anti-racism work.
Contact Vicky:
vcurtiss@sienaretreatcenter.org
Nichole Stewart
Arrangements Coordinator
Nichole schedules group and private retreats. She grew in Oak Creek near Milwaukee and has worked as a supervisor for an aquatics department at a local recreation center. She attended University of Wisconsin – Superior, studying Exercise Science and Behavioral Neuroscience. While attending UWS she enjoyed hiking and kayaking. In her free time she enjoys knitting, crafts, reading, and spending time with family.
Contact Nichole: arrangements@sienaretreatcenter.org
(262) 898-2580
Nicki Steinmetz Nelson
Spiritual Guidance Training Program Coordinator
Nicki oversees and coordinates spiritual guidance at the Siena Retreat Center, including individual and group spiritual guidance, supervision for spiritual guides, the Spiritual Guidance Training Program, summer directed retreats, and other emerging programs. She has a MA in Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and a MA in Clinical Psychology from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. You’ll often find Nicki with her nose in a book or deep in conversation about spirituality, psychology, social analysis, or how all of those converge in the experience of parenting. She loves spending time with her family in the kitchen, on the trail, or playing board games.
Contact Nicki:
nnelson@sienaretreatcenter.org
Christine Noelle
Director Of Donor And Community Engagement
Christine advances the fundraising and marketing efforts of the organization. She comes from Central Wisconsin with a background in environmental education and sustainable food systems at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and has worked at various nonprofits in Southeast Wisconsin for the past 10 years as a program manager, development officer, and interim executive director. She is an enrolled tribal member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and comes to Siena with a keen interest in Native American spiritual practices as she works to deepen her connection with her heritage. In her free time, Christine loves to hike, take fitness classes, and volunteer with different outdoorswomen organizations.
Contact Christine: cnoelle@sienaretreatcenter.org
Debbie Giese
Director of Hospitality
Debbie is a 2023 graduate of Central Baptist Theological Seminary with her Masters of Divinity and Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry. With a background in restaurants and hospitality, office management, and pastoral care, Debbie finds her position at Siena Retreat Center to be the perfect integration of her skills and passion. She is a long-time resident of Waukesha where she is active in the faith-based justice community and serves on the board of their local PFLAG chapter. When not working or doing homework, you can find her in her kayak, on her bike, or catching up with friends and family.
Contact Debbie:
dgiese@sienaretreatcenter.org
Christine Houdek
Business Manager
Christine joins the Siena Retreat Center team as Business Manager. Christine has spent 32 years in the healthcare field as a Certified Surgical Technologist, Medical Office Assistant and Patient Customer Service Associate. Her healthcare/patient customer service career has allowed her to build relationships with the people in the Racine community while assisting them with their healthcare needs. She grew up in Northern Ohio and has called Racine home since 1974. She enjoys baking, crafting, and spending time with her two grandchildren. She has touched many lives in the physical healing world and has now chosen to assist with touching lives in the spiritual healing world as well.
Contact Christine: choudek@sienaretreatcenter.org
Susan Arvai
Registrar
Susan receives and accurately enters retreat registrations and donation information. Susan is from Racine and has experience in finance and legal trust and estate planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Alverno College in Milwaukee. Susan enjoys art fairs, craft fairs and estate sales in her spare time.
Contact Susan:
registrarSRC@sienaretreatcenter.org
Carmen Doubek
Housekeeper
Carmen enjoys the peace and tranquility of Siena Retreat Center and loves to keep it clean and pretty. She took classes at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design for several years but has been drawing and painting most of her life.
Board of Directors
Gloria Alt
David Stack
Deb Ford
Julie Larsen
Wayne J. Marik
Judy Melaro-Gavigan
Rev. Sue Ott-Holland