Caz Tod Pearson is a New Zealander who came to the US in 2004 to participate in Mission Year, a one-year volunteer service program that invited young adults to ask questions at the intersection of faith and justice. She went on to work for Mission Year in Philadelphia and Atlanta in various roles for 14 years. Through her work with Mission Year, she was introduced to The Simple Way, a small community organization that comes alongside its neighbors to support building a neighborhood where everyone belongs and thrives together. Caz moved to the Kensington neighborhood to pursue community with The Simple Way in 2008. She helped with community care, was on the board of directors for 4 years, and then went on to direct the work for 10 years.

In 2009, she trained as a spiritual director at the Kairos School for Spiritual Direction and Formation. She initially used her training as she accompanied the young adults in Mission Year and has since offered spiritual direction and groups through various organizations, including the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation Group Spiritual Direction program. Caz is in her last year of a Master’s degree in Practical Theology at Palmer Seminary at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA.

Caz is married to Mike, and they have two kids: Asa, 9, and Ngaire, 7. She likes to watch the All Blacks play rugby, read memoirs, ride her bike, walk along the beach, and quietly watch the night change to day.