Mary Vandel Young
Mary Vandel Young’s passion for transformational ministry and soul care has guided her participation, study, leadership and ministry in the area of Christian spiritual formation for more than 20 years. God blessed Mary’s life with JourneyMates in 2006 when she and her husband, Jason, moved to the Raleigh area. A year later, JM Founders, Jennifer Ennis and Sally Breedlove, invited Mary to join them in leading JourneyMates. Mary has served as JourneyMates Executive Director since 2012 when JourneyMates became a non-profit ministry.
In addition to her work with JourneyMates, Mary ministers as a spiritual director, teacher in the Raleigh Fellows program and retreat leader, teacher and speaker. Raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mary graduated from Baylor University in 1990. She served on Young Life staff nationally and internationally until 2000 and completed a M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2003.
Mary and her husband, Dr. Jason Young, a psychologist, have two young adult sons, Luke and Tobias, one new daughter-in-law, Sari, and a precious Shi-Tzu named Boots.
Wendy Simmons
Wendy grew up in Winston-Salem, NC then headed to College of Charleston, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. There she met her husband, Daniel. After graduation they served together on staff with Campus Outreach college ministry for six years. Wendy then entered into the world of non-profit work in 2014 before dabbling in Real Estate from 2018 until 2024. Throughout these experiences, her heart for people and for solid, life-changing counsel has only grown. Wendy has her Master’s in Pastoral Counseling.
Wendy discovered JourneyMates in 2021 through a long-shot recommendation from a friend, and has loved it deeply ever since! She has enjoyed participating in contemplative practices and believes these sacred moments in Journeymates have undoubtedly brought about a restorative season in her faith.
When not creating a spreadsheet, you’ll find her spending time with her friends and three energetic teens, trying out a new restaurant, heading to a concert, playing pickleball with her small group or just simply being outside. She also loves to read fiction books while snuggling with her goldendoodle Cash. Wendy and her family attend The Summit Church in Raleigh.
Tasha Roraback
Tasha Roraback is a transplant to Raleigh, NC. She quickly adapted to the winters here since she’s originally from Upstate NY. The summers? Well, that’s still a work in progress. After working in local churches for over a decade, she discovered the ministry of spiritual direction. Tasha has a strong desire to help people connect with God in personal and ongoing ways. As a spiritual director herself, she is excited to be a part of Journey Mates’ vision and mission. And to be a part of expanding the vision to more people across the Triangle.
Tasha also enjoys going to the beach whenever possible, hitting up Costco (because who doesn’t, really?), and connecting with family and friends over a meal or cup of tea.
Katrina Marbury
Katrina grew up in Kansas City, MO and received dual Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Biology from University of Missouri-Columbia. Before joining JourneyMates staff, Katrina worked as an Administrative Assistant at a local church and as a data technician for a Medical Research company.
Katrina discovered JourneyMates in 2023 through a recommendation from a friend, during a time when she was searching to deepen her faith and grow her relationship with Christ. She cannot wait to expand her connection with the JourneyMates community.
Katrina has served as a volunteer at her church in many capacities, such as a children’s volunteer, choir member, and women’s bible study leader. Katrina and her family attend Christ Central Church in Durham where her husband, Evan currently serves as an Associate Pastor. She enjoys reading, puzzles, and spending time with her family and friends.
Amy Ause Hayne
Amy has a lifelong passion of walking alongside, listening to and with and helping others in various healthcare and ministerial capacities. She serves as a Spiritual Director and Holistic Coach with Whole Living, LLC. She has been a part of JourneyMates contemplative companioning ministry since 2011. She has served as a Facilitator, Supervisor and more recently as the Supervision Shepherd (since 2025). She loves this retreat-like formational rhythm of having time and space to simply be with Jesus. She considers it a sacred honor to listen to and with others to the Holy Spirit, growing holistically in one’s relationship with God. Originally from Michigan, she graduated from Vanderbilt University and Denver Seminary, studying Psychology and Counseling, while integrating her faith into her practice and ministry areas of focus. Amy enjoys being immersed in God’s creation on her daily walks, as well as music, singing, art, health and athletic pursuits. She currently resides in Cary, North Carolina with her husband, Jim, and their dog, Selah. All of their six children are young adults, age 19 and beyond. She is a member and serves on the healing prayer team at Apostles Raleigh in the Triangle Area.
Paige Capes
Bio coming soon!
Raquel Lopez Rogers
Raquel Lopez Rogers is passionate about walking alongside individuals, groups, and organizations across cultures as they journey toward Christlikeness. She creates spaces for people to be with God through spiritual direction, contemplative retreats, and transformational training.
She carries a deep calling to teach and lead others into the presence of God and into a lived experience of His Kingdom—co-laboring and co-creating with Him in ways that cultivate flourishing lives, meaningful work, and relationships marked by love and unity. Her prayer is that the Church would embody this Kingdom way of life—rooted in God’s presence, formed by love, and participating in His renewing work in the world. In addition to serving with JourneyMates, she also leads through her ministry RenewFormation.org.
Raquel is drawn to the intersection of spiritual formation, organizational leadership, biblical justice, the global Church, and the arts. Originally from Washington, D.C., she has moved more than 25 times, shaping her love for the beauty and diversity of God’s people. She delights in beholding God in creation and in the sacred practice of hospitality, opening her life and home to the many people who cross paths with her and her husband, their teenage daughters and son.
Janise Matyas Smith
Janise was born and raised in Southern California and attended college at Whitworth University in Spokane WA where she received her BA in Religion, and also met her husband, Derek. She received her MDiv and MA in Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she graduated in 2005 and was also ordained as a Presbyterian Minister (PCUSA) that same year. Upon graduating Janise and her husband moved to Durham, NC where Janise took her first pastoral call. They have since had four kids and Janise spends her days balancing the gift of motherhood and her passion for contemplative ministry.
Janise has been involved in the ministry of spiritual formation, teaching and soul care for over 20 years. She discovered JourneyMates in 2012 and soon after she pursued training as a Spiritual Director through Selah. She has a deep passion to invite others to become more aware of God’s presence in their everyday life. JourneyMates has been a place where she has been able to use her gifts in both teaching and shepherding others in the contemplative space. Janise is also passionate about God's Word, and one of her greatest joys is teaching and guiding others in exploring Scripture and helping them listen to God's voice who is always speaking through His Word.
In addition to her work at JourneyMates, Janise ministers as spiritual director, retreat leader, teacher, speaker, and is the Associate Director of Peterson House, another contemplative ministry in the Triangle area. In her free time, she loves to garden, take walks in nature, spend time with family and friends, and is often attending numerous kids’ activities and sporting events.