President
Cat Yimet (xe/xem; she/her accepted) never grew up with religion; xyr mother likes to joke that xe raised xyr and xyr siblings as “heathens,” though Norse gods were never a part of xyr day-to-day life as a child. Xe grew up with stories and tales told to her by xyr mother and grandmother, of beasts and spirits and the things that go bump in the night. Belief in ghosts and the fae was never quite frowned upon, and with a head for stories and various tales, xe began to find a path through that avenue.
Spiritually speaking, xyr patrons are Anubis and the Morrigan. In the last few years, Cat has become something of a deity collector after a few ill-advised words spoken aloud have brought several new deities to xyr attention. The pantheons xe works with include the Hellenic, Kemetic, Celtic, and Norse. Her path focuses on folklore and mythology; xe is currently developing a path based on these old tales for the modern world and identifies as a historically informed polytheist and Pagan. Cat also identifies as a witch, studying both hedgewitchery and traditional witchcraft.
Though xyr religion is never far from xyr mind, Cat divides xyr attention between studying various foreign languages; writing supernatural fiction; kitchen experimentation; and playing tug with xyr two beloved mutts, Low-Key and Hera. Xe graduated with honors in English, minoring in History, Classical Studies, and Medieval Studies because xyr school didn’t offer mythology as a major. Travel has always been a dream of xyrs, and xe aims to see most of the world in the coming years, starting with Greece.
Vice President
Ron Padrón (he/him/his) is a gay Cuban-American folk witch from the swamps of Florida now living in the mid-Atlantic with his husband and their small cryptid dog. He has been a member the pagan community for nearly two decades with specific interests in divination, Queer Ancestor veneration and necromancy, hedge witchery, and social justice activism. He is the creator of White Rose Witching through which he manages a blog sharing Queer Ancestor Spotlights and rituals, and hosts workshops across a variety of topics. He has presented at gatherings such as the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival, locally at Hallowed Homecoming, and as a guest speaker for local pagan groups, historic sites, and small museums discussing colonial witchcraft politics and queer history.
Ron is also a member of the Ancient Order of Druids in America and has completed the Bardic grade through the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. The nature-centered aspect of his witchcraft focuses on bioregionalism, permaculture, and (sub)urban homesteading. As part of his spiritual practice, he tends to his own productive garden and supports local farms when possible. Weather and ability permitting he can be found hiking in local parks as a means of grounding and connection with local spirits.
Ron has worked as an educator and administrator in higher education for over a decade. His work centers justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. He has presented locally and nationally on inclusive practices in education and the physical, embodied impact of diversity work. He is dedicated to the development, implementation, and assessment of equitable institutional practices that foster diversity and inclusion in both the for-profit and nonprofit sector. He also serves as Associate Editor for an academic journal, Including Disability, that centers the intersection of disability with other social identities through essays, academic research, poetry, and visual art.
Vice President
Lauren G. Koch (she/her/they/them/mistress of the dark night) is a creator, wanderer, alchemist, healer, teacher, and feeler that has been practicing herbalism, healing, divination, and folk magic most of her life. As an interdisciplinary artist, musician, and eclectic witch, her practice has been shaped by the music, lore, and folk magic of the Southern Appalachians, where she grew up. Now she lives in the Mid-Atlantic region tucked in a valley surrounded by her beloved mountains, where she loves to hike, forage, and sit for hours with her feet in creeks while watercoloring.
Lauren believes in adaptability, authenticity, determination, perseverance, and compassion while working to foster diversity and inclusion through stewardship, the sharing of knowledge, and community building. Her mission comes from an inherent need to heal and be heard, hoping to inspire others to develop their self-expression and well-being.
Secretary/Librarian
Alexandria Nic Bhé Chuille is a multi-trad polytheist pagan (Norse-Gaelic and Kemetic), and a modern urban hedgewitch. She has been a practicing pagan and witch for over a decade, though her path wandered through various traditions before settling down into its current form about five years ago.
Aleja is a spiritworker who has a close relationship with the Fair Folk, an intuitive energy healer, and a Reiki Master. She practices a number of forms of divination, including tarot, Lenormand, and runes. Aleja grew up in a mixed faith household: her father is Catholic and her mother draws strength from her traditional indigenous spirituality. (Aleja is enrolled member of the Brothertown Indian Nation of Wisconsin via her maternal line, and her mother has also been heavily influenced by Ojibwe Midewiwin practices.) Aleja’s husband Scott is also pagan, and they are trying to raise their toddler with both pagan and indigenous spiritual teachings.
Though she runs a small pagan business out of her home, most of Aleja’s day is spent being a stay-at-home mom to her toddler. When she has free time that isn’t spent on spiritual or business activities, she likes to read fantasy novels, play tabletop RPGs, and dress up to attend Ren Faires and Fantasy Cons.
