Meet the Creator

Danna Hartline is the founder and creator of The Mormon Trauma Mama.  She is actively involved in advocating for those suffering from church trauma.  She earned her master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from California Southern University summa cum laude. She has spoken in many settings and at several events on the very real issue of church trauma in the LDS Church, including the Hushed Ones Documentary, the ADAM Conference, Sunstone Symposium, and the When Church Hurts Summit.  For more information on church trauma,  find an overview on the MTM  homepage which includes a presentation Danna did at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Danna and her husband have four delightful children.  In her free time, Danna enjoys walking, playing games, traveling, teaching, playing the piano, and connecting with family and friends.  Her favorite holiday is Christmas because her creative mind can run rampant–from making original, out-of-the-ordinary Christmas cards to setting traps to catch her kids Christmas morning –  and many other crazy traditions in between.

Meet the Contributors

John holds graduate degrees in business and counseling: MBA in Management; MA in Counseling, and DBA in Organizational Leadership. John is a marketing (branding) and leadership professor in an MBA program. Prior to his teaching career, he was a sales/ marketing manager, and sales professional in the jewelry industry. He also helped manage his family’s Dunkin Donuts franchises while attending undergraduate studies. He is a very proud father and loves his granddog Gus (bulldog).

Gerry Baird is a software project manager with an MBA from Utah State University.  He is the author of several religious/inspirational books including his latest title, “Soulness: Six spiritual practices that will set you free”, and is currently pursuing a degree in  mental health counseling from Grand Canyon University.  His passions include piano, kayaking, yoga, meditation, religious studies, and offering a nonjudgmental listening ear to the beautiful people he meets in real life and through social media. He blogs at The Awakened Mormon.

Geri Harames has a Master’s Degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in the State of Utah. Geri has over 20 years experience providing mental health, substance abuse, academic and employment counseling to individuals, couples, families and groups. She currently provides therapy from her private practice “True You Counseling” located in Northern Utah. Geri’s passions are human behavior and helping others.

Geri is a Post-Mormon who left the church 20 years ago. She is an advocate for those she serves including victims of all types, people in faith crisis and/or transition, the LGBTQ population, and women who are finding their power.

Her other interests include her family, meeting new people, spending time outdoors, reading, being creative, and spoiling her two grandchildren.

Lesley Butterfield is a Registered Nurse and survivor advocate who works with victims of abuse across a variety of settings. She aims to encourage knowledge and awareness surrounding abuse and trauma within various communities. More specifically, she is the creator of UnrighteousDominion.org, which is a platform for survivors of spiritual abuse with the Mormon church to safely and anonymously share their stories.

Lesley believes that the power of connection and the mutual sharing of stories can promote health and healing in a holistic manner for abuse survivors. Lesley has helped contribute to coverage surrounding this topic in several news and media outlets and has also appeared as a guest on several podcasts speaking on women’s issues, spiritual abuse, and the cultural mechanisms which enable abuse within the Mormon context. Lesley has also written several articles for various organizations and newspapers.  Lesley has certifications and training in Trauma-Informed Care, ACE’s, Parent Leadership, Community Advocacy, Faith and Spiritual Development, Children’s Challenging Behaviors, Mental Health for Families, Culturally Competent Care, Domestic Violence Awareness, and Resiliency Development. 

Tom Irvine and his wife Jan live in Madison, Alabama.  They have three adult sons, Joseph, Ben and Daniel.  Tom works as an engineering contractor for NASA, developing mechanical shock & vibration analysis software.  He identifies as someone who has Asperger’s syndrome, although he has never been formally diagnosed.

Krista Stanton Thibeault graduated from BYU with a BS in Molecular Biology/Zoology and has a Master’s degree in Laboratory Investigation/Genetics from Vanderbilt School of Medicine.  She is a former research scientist who now fancies herself a “free lance educator.”  She runs a private tutoring business, teaches Science Saturday classes for the local 100 Black Men chapter and provides laboratory instruction to local advanced and AP science classes.

Ashley Kaye is a life long seeker, empath and intuitive healer. In her early twenties, she recognized her ability to feel energy on a very high level and began to study eastern healing and energetic philosophies. The art of Reiki, Feng Shui, Chakras (our energy centers) along with learning and understanding the divine tools of Mother Earth and what is given to us naturally to self heal (herbs, crystals, elements, etc).   She certified as a life coach-guide because of her life’s desire to support others around spirituality, relationships and life purpose.  She has a passion to support those in any point in faith transition to help further self progress and healing. She recognizes the diverse scenarios we each encounter transitioning and navigating out of LDS faith (or any orthodox/ fundamental faith), especially finding and trusting yourself again. Visit www.SoulPotential.org to learn more!