Meet The Abode Team
Our team brings together people from all paths of life, who give the time and talent that it takes to make the Abode thrive in a changing world.
Kimberly Taj Martel
Executive Director
Kimberly's leadership and business background allows her to manage the many moving parts of the present Abode to serve its long-term goals. Through Kimberly’s enthusiasm, passion for well-bing in community, work-ethic, and connection to the Abode legacy over 50 years, she works to build community.
Kimberly is a knowledge and user interface consultant coming from several decades in the corporate world. She has a BA in Art history and work experience as a designer with a focus in project management, marketing and strategic insights for Fortune 500 companies. For over 17 years, she led and developed a research and information science business into a successful company in partnership with her husband, David. As a mother, teacher of self-care practices and designer, Kimberly looks to support others in an awakened daily life, full of inspiration guided by connection both inwardly and in the living landscape.
Blair Davis
Chair of the Board of Directors
Blair Davis arrived at the Abode well over a decade ago. He began attending Universal Worship Services regularly and over the years developed a deep connection to the Sufi path.
While strengthening his commitment to the organization, Blair has been called to serve on numerous committees, been involved with various infrastructure projects for the property and has held the positions of Treasurer and Chair of the Abode Board of Trustees.
As a musician, he has planned and operated sound systems as well as played regularly for events at the Abode.
Since 2005 he has headed a Systems Automation Integrator business. Prior to this he worked in the field of sales, electrical engineering - design, as well as profit and non-profit management positions.
Christopher A.H. Steadman esq.
Treasurer
Christopher Steadman first came to the Abode when he was in college, taking a temporary leave of absence to explore Sufism. Once there he was assigned to the building crew and learned the trade of carpentry working on Shaker buildings under the tutelage of a long line of Abode Sufi carpenters. He there met his wife, who had been in residence since 1976, and who built her own house on the Abode property. A daughter, Sarah Noor, was born to them in 1991. She attended Mountain Rd. School and is runs the Abode CSA.. Fourteen years after taking a leave of absence to come to the Abode, Christopher retuned to school ultimately obtaining his J.D. and has been a member of the NYS Bar since being admitted in 2000. In addition, he has contributed 38 years of service to the New Lebanon community as a volunteer fire fighter, upholding a long standing Abode tradition.
In 2015 he became a member of the Abode Steering Committee when the the Sufi Order decided to move to Richmond, VA. Thereafter he was a member of the Abode Board of Directors serving as co-chair, chair and treasurer. He is a founding member of Friends of South Family.
Al Bellenchia
Secretary
Al Bellenchia is an executive with global experience in marketing, management and organizational development. He has worked with or at for-profit and not-for-profit organizations of many sizes and specializes in leading organizations through needed change. Currently, Al serves as Executive Director/CEO of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity. He was Executive Director of the Abode from 2016 to 2021.
Aimée Brodeur Johnson
Aimée came to the Abode in 1988 to live and to work at Mountain Road School. During the intervening years she married and raised a family at the Abode, serving on many committees as well as the boards of both Mountain Road School and the Abode of the Message. The Dances of Universal Peace and the unity of religious ideals led her to the Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan (and thus to Pir Vilayat and on to the Abode), where she serves as a Cheraga in the Universal Worship. She retired from Mountain Road School in 2013 and enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, gardening, and doing volunteer work for the Abode, the New Lebanon Historical Society, and the New Lebanon Library.