Inspiring a Better Way of Living
The Finding Sanctuary Institute
Finding a Future
for Sanctuary
Founded in 2024 by designer Lisa Kahn and her business partner Philip Allen, the Finding Sanctuary Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to exploring sanctuary as a guiding life philosophy: the belief that the spaces we inhabit, the objects we create, and the way we exist in the world has the power to heal, uplift, and inspire.
Through educational resources, mentorship, and immersive learning opportunities, the Institute serves designers, artisans, and anyone else who seeks to weave sanctuary into their work and daily lives. Inspired by Lisa’s love of books and scholarship, this begins as a curated library collection and series of in-person presentations. As the institute grows and evolves, it is becoming a hub for sanctuary with lectures, events, online resources, and a community of passionate learners and researchers. Our expanding catalog of opportunities invites participants to explore sanctuary through the lenses of design, art, craft, spirituality, and daily ritual.
Meet our Founding Board
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Lisa Kahn
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Lisa is the founder and CEO of Finding Sanctuary, a design firm that crafts spaces that nurture and uplift. As the visionary of this Institute, she sees how the philosophy of sanctuary has applications far beyond the world of interior design.
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Cheryl Stauffer
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Cheryl is the founder and CEO of Crimson Design, a firm that believes deeply in design that connects. She leads her life and work with gratitude, a principle which is core in the Finding Sanctuary Institute’s philosophy.
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Philip Allen
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Philip has spent over a decade with the Finding Sanctuary design firm and has long supported community initiatives like Leadership Collier. He believes the Institute’s educational work can inspire a more mindful way of living. -
Cheminne Taylor-Smith
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
An entrepreneur with her own consulting firm, Cheminne is a hard worker dedicated to investing time and effort into philanthropic ventures that promise to make the world a better place.
Inspiring A More Gentle Way of Being
At its heart, the Finding Sanctuary Institute is rooted in a simple but profound belief: Sanctuary is more than a design approach—it is a way of life that inspires care, kindness, gratitude, and gentleness. Because of that, the organization is committed to programming that nurtures the body and the mind as one. To do this, our work spans creative disciplines, mindfulness practices, community engagement, and many other areas, all with the aim of empowering people to cultivate sanctuary in their studios, their spaces, and their everyday lives.
The Institute exists to illuminate a path—one that leads to environments, habits, and communities that support peace, beauty, purpose, and wellbeing.
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Community
Through online engagements and in-person events, The Finding Sanctuary Institute is building a community of like-minded individuals.
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Events
In-person retreats and workshops for hands-on learning, reflection, and skill-building offer participants a first-hand opportunity to experience sanctuary in action.
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Education
Lecture series and speaker events featuring leaders in design, wellness, creativity, and social impact offer those involved to learn more about how sanctuary can inform a more mindful way of being.
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Digital Resouces
Digital learning opportunities, courses, and resources are accessible to make learning about sanctuary possible, no matter where our participants might be.
