Solihten Institute

09/08/2025

Katie Sundermeier is the Executive Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta (SCCA), a team of 25 including therapists, pastoral counselors, and spiritual directors. SCCA provides spiritually integrated psychotherapy as well as support groups and seminars to those seeking that wholistic care. SCCA also subsidizes fees to make counseling accessible to more people. Of about 450 client sessions per month, over half of their clients receive subsidized support. Katie also serves on the pastoral staff at the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta (www.firstpresatl.org) and supervises the church’s Community Outreach Ministry (which staffs 3 fulltime social workers) as well as the Refugee Ministry Team.

She attended Vanderbilt University where she double majored in German and Communication Studies. She earned her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and did additional coursework at the University of Bonn, Germany. In 2022, Katie earned her Doctorate in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in the PC (USA).

09/02/2025

The 2025 Solihten Annual Conference kicks off on Thursday! These generous sponsors have made it possible for nonprofit mental health leaders from across the country to convene for three days of education, inspiration, and connection.

08/29/2025

Ten of Solihten Institute’s Member Centers use Valant’s EHR systems, including Centus Counseling Center.

Sherine Bowen, Director of Administrative Services at Centus, a Member Center in Denver, appreciates Valant for their “ongoing updates to implement streamlined processes like auto credit cards, client reminder systems, and prospective clients.”

We're deeply grateful for the support of these sponsors of our upcoming 2025 Annual Conference!

08/27/2025

We're almost exactly a week out from our Annual Conference! Thankful for sponsors like Sola Salons for their generous support!

08/25/2025

Our Board Member highlight series continues with GwenDolyn Ruff!

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GwenDolyn H. Ruff, SPHR, serves as the SVP, Administration and Community Outreach for Columbus (GA) Water Works. She has over forty years of experience in the Human Resources and Public Administration field in the public, private, and government sectors. As a member of the CWW Executive Management team, she is responsible for providing direction and accountability for the successful implementation of administration and long-term operational planning related processes, practices, policies, and outcomes in order to maximize the achievement of CWW’s community outreach goals. She provides advisory and technical support to the President in support of organizational strategic efforts.

She received her B.S. in Biology from Mercer University (Macon, Georgia), a Master of Science in Administration from Columbus State University (Columbus, Georgia) a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College (Carlisle Barracks, PA) and is a 2005 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Water and Wastewater Leadership Center. She is life-certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and is an alumna of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (2015). Gwen served 30 years combined active duty and reserve duty in the United States Army in various senior leadership positions before retiring as a Colonel in 2011.

08/24/2025

August is National Make-A-Will Month, and we’re proud to offer our supporters a free and secure online will, powered by The U.S. Will Registry.

A legacy gift costs nothing today but ensures your values live on tomorrow.

Start your will today: https://www.theuswillregistry.org/partnership/solihten-institute-inc

08/20/2025

08/18/2025

Our Board Member spotlight this week is on Tracey D. Watkins!
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Currently based in Huntersville, NC, Tracey D. Watkins specializes in strategic workforce policy and planning, risk management, employee and labor relations, public and legislative affairs and has more than 25 years of experience working in corporate and government risk management and human resources arenas. Tracey, a licensed attorney, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, the University of Richmond School of Law, and the Federal Executive Institute (FEI) and has completed coursework for Senior Executives from the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. Committed to community service, Tracey serves on the Board of Directors for Solihten Institute and the Board of Advisors with Crittenton Services of Charlotte, whose mission is to empower women and children through education, health, residential care, and supportive services. In 2023, she was listed as “Most Influential” among “Who’s Who In Black Charlotte,” 8th edition.

08/15/2025

We're working hard behind-the-scenes to create a rewarding Annual Conference for all our Resilient Leaders and Thriving Centers. Valant's support as our presenting sponsor is making it possible!