About Holden Village
About the Village
Located in the heart of Washington’s North Cascades Mountains, Holden Village is an iconic retreat center that offers visitors a unique opportunity to step into the wilderness to form and renew their relationship with God, the earth, and each other.
Over the course of more than 60 years, Holden Village has been transformed from a copper mining town to a vibrant place of education, programming, and worship where everyone is welcome and embraced. Holden and the wilderness are for people of every sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious background, and gender identity.
Holden Village is the perfect setting for visitors and volunteers to seek rest and renewal. The rustic buildings surrounded by forest and mountains allow guests to un-plug from their daily to-dos and connect with themselves and others in purposeful work, recreation, worship, and shared meals with good company.
Annual Reports
Read about Holden’s achievements! Learn how your donations make Holden Village possible, now and in the future.
As part of our commitment to the sanctity of our environment we have made the intentional decision to distribute this report digitally. Please join our efforts in thoughtful use of resources by printing the report only if necessary.
Who We Are
Vision
Holden Village cultivates a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Mission
Growing from the love of Christ, Holden Village is a courageous community that welcomes all people into the wilderness to form and renew their relationships with God, the earth, and each other.
Values
Holden is a gift and an invitation to build and practice community both within the Village and in the greater world.
We Value:
- Our place in the wilderness that nurtures spiritual, emotional, and physical growth
- Our Lutheran roots, which strengthen us to face the world with faith and good courage
- Community-building, through hospitality, dialogue, justice, liturgy, humor, solace, and wholeness
- Our rhythms of Village life
We Commit to Be…
- A community in which daily life is meaningful
- A community that embraces the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional aspects of faith
- A community where questions are valued and encouraged
- A community that lives out its mission with joy, participating in the gracious love of God.
Land Acknowledgment
This Valley has existed for millenia, carved out by glaciers and defined by Indigenous people and their care for this place. We live and gather upon the homelands of the Chelan, the Entiat, the P’Squosa, the Wenatchi-Colville and the Wenatchi-Yakama Tribal Nations. And we commit to resisting erasure of Indigenous people and stories, following Native leadership, and centering tribal voices.
All Are Welcome
Holden Village welcomes and embraces people of all races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, physical abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Holden Village has been a Reconciling in Christ congregation since 1985.
Commitment to Justice
For the sake of Justice, Holden is called to:
- Foster Diversity through deliberate invitation and welcome;
- Deploy an ethic of Equity to confront and dismantle systemic oppression; and
- Practice Inclusion by listening to, learning from, and being transformed by marginalized voices,
- In order to become, together, the community for which God longs.
Leadership
Executive Directors (2025-2030)
Bjørn and Elise began their directorship in September of 2025. As Co-Directors, the Petersons will oversee Holden Village’s daily operations, programming, and community engagement and fundraising efforts while upholding the Village’s core values of hospitality, faith, and environmental stewardship. The Petersons have two children, Magnus and Anika. Magnus attends Holden’s Narnia grade school in the Village.
Elise Peterson comes to Holden Village with extensive experience in nonprofit development, marketing, and operations. Most recently serving as the Director of Development and Operations at the American Composers Forum, she has a proven track record in strategic fundraising, financial stewardship, and fostering equity-driven organizational change. Her leadership in major philanthropic efforts and commitment to social impact will be instrumental in strengthening Holden Village’s mission and long-term sustainability.
Bjørn Peterson brings a deep background in transformational leadership, peacebuilding, and community development. His work as a Program Manager for Nonviolent Peaceforce and as a university lecturer in community development has equipped him with the skills to cultivate inclusive, justice-oriented programming. With experience in nonprofit executive leadership and global mission facilitation, Bjørn is poised to expand Holden Village’s reach and deepen its commitment to hospitality and education.
Board of Directors
As a non-profit, Holden Village is governed by a 20-member board of directors whose role has been vital yet evolving over the Village’s history of more than 60 years. The board’s self-management policies require members to “emphasize outward vision rather than internal preoccupation.” Board responsibilities include selecting executive directors, approving an annual budget, establishing policy, and electing members to fill board vacancies. Board members serve four-year terms and are limited to three consecutive terms, or 12 years, of service.
The board meets four times a year for varying lengths of time in different configurations of remote and in-person gatherings. Board meetings are held in the Village once per year (in the summer) and via regional gathering once per year (in the autumn) to reduce costs and environmental impacts from travel. Additionally, several committees which meet separately between these all-member board meetings.
Ben Stewart
Board Member
Chris Hughes
Board Member
Mark Schwehn
President
Felix Malpica
Board Member
Rick Brown
Board Member
Peter Hernes
Board Member
Eric Lansverk
Board Member
Jane McBride
Board Member
Jeff Sorum
Treasurer
Asa Lee
Board Member
James Nagel
Board Member
Jennifer Prough
Board Member
Claire Smith
Vice President
Desta Goehner
Board Member
Meisha Wangerin
Board Member
Hierald Osorto
Secretary
Sarah Moore
Board Member
Suzanne Olson
Board Member