PLF Faculty
Cindy Kohlmann (Dean), New Castle Presbytery
SanDawna Ashley, Synod of the Northeast
Daris Bultena, Presbytery of Tropical Florida
Dee Cooper, Denver Presbytery
Bruce Grady, Presbytery of New Hope
Gavin Meek, New Harmony Presbytery
Mirjam Haas-Melchior, Presbytery of Utah
Deborah Boucher-Payne, PLF Coordinator
​Sallie Watson, PC(USA) Mid Council Relations
Description of PLF
Whatever the title — executive, general or associate executive — support and encouragement as one enters these kinds of roles can make a huge difference to the leaders and those whom they serve.
The Presbytery Leader Formation (PLF) Program is a three-year opportunity designed to provide education, nurture and collegiality during this key time.
Annual Residency
The Annual Residency is a retreat for new leaders that takes place the first full week of May. Participants are invited for the three years following their new call. This part of the program is designed for programmatic presbytery leaders in the presbytery, whatever their title. Faculty for the 2026 Residency: Sallie Watson (Associate Director of Mid Council Relations), Deborah Boucher-Payne (Program Coordinator), Cindy Kohlmann (New Castle), SanDawna Ashley (Synod of the Northeast), Mirjam Haas-Melchior (Utah), Dee Cooper (Denver) Gavin Meek (New Harmony), and Bruce Grady (New Hope). Upcoming residencies will take place at the Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center in Hyattsville MD, May 3-8, 2026, and at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo MN, May 2-7, 2027.
Coaching
An important component to the program is the inclusion of a personal coach. Coaching is very different from the role of the ninety-day companion or from that of a consultant. A coach is not an “answer giver,” but rather an individual who is invested in the success of the new leader. Our coaches have been especially trained to assist new presbytery leaders in meeting personal and professional goals. Each participant in PLF is assigned a program-approved coach. PLF coaches have been certified by the International Coaching Federation.
It is expected that the new leader will have a monthly call with the coach. Each participant will have a total of 36 coaching hours available during the first 39 months following the first coaching session.