Community Support Hosts

Meet our Community Support Hosts

Here to help you feel connected, supported, and not alone in your experience.

They help guide conversations, hold space within the community, and offer encouragement as you move through your own process. Whether you’re sharing, reflecting, or simply showing up, they help create an environment that feels steady, welcoming, and supportive.

Susan Ducan

Community Support Host

Events Coordinator

Throughout my life, I have embraced many meaningful roles-daughter, sister, wife, mother, educator and grandmother. Family has always been at the center of my world, and I am grateful to have found an equally meaningful community in birch & stone.

My journey has included weight struggles, significant health challenges, and life's inevitable hurdles. With the compassionate support of birch & stone's coaches, I have discovered a renewed purpose and a sense of peace.

My career as a teacher was fulfilling, particularly in helping children grow, meet challenges with courage, and celebrate their achievements. In my role as a Community Support Host, I hope to bring that same spirit of encouragement, presence and calm as I support members on their own transformative paths.

Therese Jumic

Community Support Host & Support Host Trainer

Signature Weekly Check-Ins

As a mother of four grown children and a “Gaga” to six grandchildren, I approach both life and work with a sense of purpose, resilience, and a commitment to seeking the positive in every circumstance.

My professional journey began with over 25 years in the retail industry, where I cultivated strong skills in leadership, service, and meaningful connection. Following that chapter, I transitioned into education as a teacher assistant, supporting students and staff in a collaborative, growth-focused environment. Today, I serve within the administrative offices of our school district, where I continue to bring organization, focus, and a steady, solutions-oriented mindset to our community.

My personal and professional paths have been shaped by a lifelong commitment to wellness, growth, and helping others navigate clear and sustainable pathways forward. With more than a decade of experience supporting individuals in achieving their weight loss and wellness goals, I am deeply passionate about fostering resilience, encouraging focus, and guiding others toward lasting change.

I am honored to be part of Birch & Stone, a community grounded in balance, strength, and renewal. I believe that, much like life, meaningful transformation is built through consistency, clarity, and perseverance. I look forward to connecting with each member and providing thoughtful, steady support as you move forward on your journey.

Alison Lewitas

Community Support Host

Sobriety Circle Leader

A devoted member of the birch & stone community, Alison brings lived experience to her work. She writes: “I have been clean and sober for 18 years through the twelve-step fellowship and I’ve lost 115 pounds.

Equally, or perhaps more importantly, I’ve found freedom and the courage to be my authentic self. With my self-compassion journey, I broke free. I bring years of sponsoring experience, self-awareness work, insight and an eagerness to be of service to your experience in this membership.

I’m here with the special assignment of helping you to get acclimated with all things birch & stone! I’m here to make you feel right at home.

Kathleen Shelfer

Community Support Host

Social Media and Podcast Editing

“Life on the edge, don’t fall off.” ~Kathleen L. Shelfer

Kathleen Shelfer is a compassionate and optimistic woman whose life embodies love, family, friendship and community. She holds a lifelong commitment to growth and believes every challenge holds a lesson and an opportunity to shape a brighter tomorrow.

With a diverse background in corporate operations, Human Resources, coaching, and community support hosting, Kathleen brings both structure and heart to everything she does. She is also a devoted mother of four, a loving daughter to her 90-year-old father, and shares over 26 wonderful years of marriage with her husband.

Kathleen enjoys a life that combines structure with spontaneity. Finding joy in hiking, camping, golfing, dancing, reading, painting, amazing food, fun getaways with family and friends, and caring for her chickens.

Grounded and empathetic, Kathleen meets people where they are, offering practical guidance that blends mindfulness and genuine connection. She creates a supportive space for healing and growth, sharing wisdom and encouragement that inspire confidence and self-discovery. Kathleen’s empathetic nature allows her to truly listen.

Whether hosting a gathering or supporting others, Kathleen radiates joy, warmth, and encouragement. Known for her positive mindset and infectious laugh, she helps remove barriers to success with ease. We are thrilled to have her as part of Birch and Stone Coaching Collective, where her positivity and inspiration shine.

Hayley Lerner

Member Communications Specialist

Hayley Lerner is an active member of the Birch & Stone community and is thrilled to be able to give back to the group, especially through the medium of writing. After a lifetime of putting feelings and observations about the world into words, Hayley gained a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Hamline University, where she studied with e.lockhart, Laura Ruby, and Anne Ursu, among many other role model writers. Their influence, and the sense of belonging and togetherness she found at Hamline, inspired Hayley to start on her self-care journey. Although the official curriculum may have been writing craft, the best lesson she learned in grad school was the important role that support, friendship, and vulnerability play in personal success.

Hayley also pours her soul and time into the fandom subculture, where she is known for her podcast, This Week In Fandom History; her prolific creative writing and tireless cheerleading of fellow writers; and her strong belief in the necessity and power of community. One thing that her podcast and her time spent in Birch & Stone workshops often have in common is the sound of Hayley's effervescent laughter.

MEET THE COACHES