Hello!
We're David and Catherine Carlson, co-founders of Illuminare, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to walking alongside others on their spiritual journey. Illuminare developed out our shared passion for creating spaces of rest, renewal, and growth. We offer spiritual direction, life and leadership coaching, Enneagram coaching, and marriage and relationship coaching. Our heart is to help people encounter God's presence, discover their true identity in Christ, and live from a place of wholeness and purpose.
Our Story
Our journey has been shaped by both family and faith. During our 35-year marriage, we have raised 11 children — 9 of whom came to us through adoption — and are now blessed with 14 grandchildren. David spent 25 years as a health care administrator before sensing God's call to a new season of ministry as a spiritual director and Enneagram coach. Catherine poured her years into homeschooling our children and serving with a nonprofit that supports foster and adoptive families, before returning to school to pursue an MDiv and training in life coaching. Today she continues her work as a coach and spiritual director. Out of these personal, parallel experiences, we founded Illuminare as a way to create spaces of care, encouragement, and spiritual growth for others.
We now dream of cultivating a contemplative retreat space rooted in our family's 12 acres of land — passed down for three generations —where people can come away, rest, and encounter God in the quiet beauty of creation.
Meet the Team
We are deeply blessed to have a wonderful team of board members guiding and encouraging us!
President
Star Bartelheimer
A mom, wife, long-time ministry leader, home designer and contractor extraordinaire, Star brings heart-felt leadership, vision and heart to our mission!
Vice President
Cole Ercanbrack
Cole is a seasoned executive leader who brings vision, relational strength, and a heart for service to help organizations thrive in their mission.
Treasurer
Anne Anderson
Anne is a wife, mom to 4 grown children, and has 3 wonderful grandsons. She served for 25 years in various integral positions for a nonprofit that served foster and adoptive families. Her wisdom and heart to serve is vital to our mission!