Randall Frost became Director of the Bowen Center July 1, 2022. He describes his goals for the position in a post on the Bowen Center's YouTube channel. Previously (since 1991), he had been Executive Director and then Director of Training and Research at Living Systems—a Vancouver, British Columbia based pastoral counseling center that uses Bowen theory as its primary approach to clinical counseling, training, education and research. At Living Systems he initiated biannual conferences with experts in Bowen theory and leading scientists.

Mr. Frost is a long-time student of Bowen theory. He was a trainee in the in-town (1975-76) and special postgraduate programs (1980-81), He became a faculty member at the Bowen Center in January 2015 and has led the Network Seminar program of the Bowen Center since 2012. He is the author of published articles and book chapters on Bowen theory, including articles in the Center’s journal, Family Systems, and has presented numerous papers at professional meetings and conferences over the past thirty years. Mr. Frost is an ordained Presbyterian minister (Presbyterian Church USA) and was an Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies at St. Meinrad School of Theology in Southern Indiana (1978-91). He is happily married with two adult children and five grandchildren.

Contact Information: rfrost@thebowencenter.org

Vanessa Roulette Ellison is a licensed clinical social worker and Bowen Theory Coach with a private practice in Midlothian, Virginia working with individuals, couples, and families. She serves on faculties for the Bowen Center and the Leadership in Ministry and works with professional groups that utilize Bowen theory for leadership training. She has worked with people of various ages and multicultural backgrounds and in a group practice, university counseling services, and community-based services. She has prior ministerial experience with local congregations, missional organizations, community development, and non-profits. 

Ms. Ellison first learned about Bowen theory in graduate school in the early 2000s and began utilizing it as a theory of practice for self-growth, professional development, and continuing education. She participated in the Bowen Center’s Clinical Conference Series 2017-2019, various Learning and Development Programs 2019-2022, and the Spanish Study Group 2023-2024. Ms. Ellison joined the Bowen Center Clinic in 2023 as a coach and was appointed to faculty in 2024, becoming the Clinic Administrative Director.

Contact: vellison@thebowencenter.org

Jennifer Long currently works as a mainline Protestant minister in Florida. She joined the Bowen Center as associate faculty member in 2021.

In 30 years of ministry, she has served in staff, solo, ecumenical and interim roles as well as working with churches in conflict. She participated in the Bowen Center’s Postgraduate Program from 2014-2019, volunteered with the Murray Bowen Archives Oral History Project, and currently leads the Bowen Center's Faith Leadership Seminar. In addition, she is a facilitator and coach for Healthy Congregations. She is a graduate of the University of Hartford (1992) and Eden Theological Seminary (1996).

Wife, mother of two, oldest sister of four, and daughter of an only son and middle daughter, she has a particular interest in points of connection between Bowen family system theory and spirituality, religious practice and church leadership.

Contact information: jlong@thebowencenter.org

Dr. Ashley Mader is a licensed clinical social worker, Bowen theory coach, and specialist in human sexuality, with a Ph.D. from Widener University. She has contributed to numerous chapters in books on sexuality and aging. Since 2018, she has studied Bowen theory, becoming a faculty member in July 2022. Dr. Mader runs a private practice focused on sexuality, particularly the needs of older adults, and co-heads the Bowen Center's Continuing Studies program. She has chaired the Fall Fundamentals conference for three years and taught in the Intro to Bowen Theory program. From 2016-2020, she co-hosted the podcast Our Better Half.  Dr. Mader resides in Amherst, MA.

Contact: amader@thebowencenter.org