Shawna DuBois

Executive Director & Secretary

Shawna DuBois is founder, executive director, and board secretary for Gabriel’s Retreat Ministries. She is married to Pete, and they have four children. Shawna is a registered nurse also holding bachelor degrees in psychology and history. She has worked in both labor and delivery and school nursing. She also holds an Online Catechist Certification from the Paul VI Institute and has assisted in youth ministry and catechesis for over 12 years. Gabriel’s Retreat Ministries came to her from a place of personal experience after unexpected pregnancies of her own and understanding that there are many psychological, emotional, and spiritual challenges that new motherhood can bring, especially when it was not part of our timing but God’s. She hopes to bring love and support to women going through similar situations and to help them find joy, hope, and peace in their motherhood and time of unexpectedness.

Laura Peterson

President

Laura Peterson is a CPA who is retired from her career as an executive at Enterprise Holdings, Inc. She and her husband Jeff have two adult children. She is a parishioner at both St. Paul in Fenton, MO and St. Vincent de Paul in Wildwood, Florida.  Laura’s past volunteer service includes serving on the Archdiocese of St. Louis Audit Committee, the St. Paul Fenton Finance Committee, board committee member at Make a Wish Missouri and Kansas, and board member at the St. Louis Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as serving as a team member and in leadership roles on countless ACTS retreats. Laura has had transformative experiences on retreats and chose to become a part of Gabriel’s Retreat Ministries to help other women experience God’s deep and abiding love, especially during such a vulnerable time. 

Barbara “Barb” DuBois

Treasurer

Barb is a retired CPA and Principal from Clifton Larson Allen LLP (CLA) after working 36 years in public accounting. Her focus during the latter part of her public accounting career was working with nonprofits, colleges and universities and quasi-governmental organizations. While working at CLA she
also served on the CLA Foundation grants committee as a volunteer grant reviewer.

She and her husband, Dave, have been members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in St. Charles since 1991. They are lay minsters, serving the Eucharist and sharing the Gospel to Catholic residents of Spencer Place Assisted Living Center in St. Peters.

She is a mother of two adult children and a lover of dogs, pickleball and fitness.

Barb is a member of Spirit of St. Louis (SOS) Women’s Fund since 2020, having served on the Grants and Finance Committees. In 2023, Barb was selected as Co-Chair of the Grants Committee and assumes the role as Chair of the Grants Committee for 2025 and 2026. She also has had the privilege of volunteering during that time at past SOS grantees including Earthdance Organic
Farm, Eye Thrive, The Collective Thread, Lift for Life Gym and Springboard to Learning.

Barb is a recent volunteer at Seton Regional Catholic School, Sweet Celebrations, Pooper Troopers Diaper Drive, Cardinal Ritter Senior Services, Coalition for Life, Louis, No Hunger Holiday
and of course, Gabriel Retreat Ministries.

Ashley Flaherty

Young Adult Rep.

Ashley is a graduate of Benedictine College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. She began her professional career as an auditor in public accounting, specializing in non-profit accounting. Currently, Ashley serves as an internal auditor for a large healthcare system, where she applies her expertise to ensure financial integrity and operational efficiency.

Outside of her professional commitments, Ashley is dedicated to her family, and loves spending time with her husband and young son. She is a strong advocate for the mission of Gabriel’s Retreat Ministries, believing deeply that every mother deserves unconditional love and support, regardless of her circumstances.

Gabe Jones

Father Rep.

Gabe Jones has a B.A. degree in Political Science and Economics; minored in philosophy; MBA from Rockhurst University.  He has been married to his wife Sarah and they have six children.  He has experience and knowledge in public relations, marketing and communications. He has previously worked for the Archdiocese of St. Louis as a Program Manager in the Respect Life Apostolate and  Media Relations Specialist. He currenlty is  Assistant General agent with the Knights of Columbus – Lister Agency and Investment Advisor Representative, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors

Gabe also is the founder/creator of the Joseph Challenge Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Saint Joseph in St. Louis, MO, was a candidate for state representative in 2020, and has writing published in  Those Catholic Men, the 9s Magazine, Ethika Politika, and The Federalist. In addition Gabe is a regular panelist on Covenant Network’s “Roadmap To Heaven” radio show and is High school and college basketball official.