I’m Dr. Giovanna Sanders, but most people just call me Giovy. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie… although I have a strong aversion to roller coasters. That hasn’t stopped me from skydiving over Indiana, swimming with sharks in Hawaii, scuba diving in Curaçao, kayaking from the Hoover Dam, or hiking through the shallows of Zion National Park. If there’s adventure to be had, I’m usually first in line. One of my favorite quotes is, “Do it afraid!”

My life has been anything but ordinary. I committed to saying “Yes” to God at 17 years old — and I’ve never looked back. From serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, to running my own interpreting agency for over 15 years, to stepping into full-time ministry alongside my husband in 2015, every chapter has shaped the way I lead, serve, and walk alongside others.

Before entering full-time ministry, I worked in the legal arena as a Security Specialist, a Certified Criminal Defense Investigator, and a Certified Legal Interpreter. I also hold degrees in Business Management and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership. Over the years, I’ve learned how to navigate complex systems, think strategically, and develop innovative solutions — whether in the military, the courtroom, the boardroom, or the church.

Ministry has always been part of my story, but my heart came fully alive in 2015 when I joined my husband, Dennis, who has been in ministry since 1992. He stepped into full-time ministry as the senior pastor of our current congregation in 2001. I remember him telling me that ministry would be unlike anything I’d ever done — and if you’re in ministry, you know exactly how true that statement was. Even after a decade in ministry, I still find myself learning, growing, and sometimes reinventing the way I do things. I thrive in brainstorming sessions, and one of my strongest attributes is the ability to think outside the box — finding creative, Spirit-led solutions when the usual approach simply won’t do.

When God orders our steps, we follow. I went from not having a clue what I was doing to earning a doctorate studying the mental health referral processes of clergy. Only God could orchestrate a story like that.

At my core, I’m passionate about servant leadership and cultivating healthy leaders. Over the years, I’ve learned that emotionally unhealthy leaders cannot lead with clarity or unbiased conviction — especially when they don’t realize they’re unhealthy. That’s where I step in: helping leaders recognize the signs, address the root issues, and lead from a place of wholeness.

Much of this work involves guiding leaders into the often-unspoken territory of unresolved trauma—both their own and that of those they lead. I believe healing is possible when we courageously step into the places we’ve avoided, confront what has held us back, and allow God’s truth to do the deep work. Wholeness is not accidental; it is the result of intentional healing.

I feel I’m called to train the trainer. Teaching is my happy place.

Today, I use my background to help churches strengthen leadership teams, set up clear counseling assessment processes, and ensure mental health referrals align with biblical convictions. I also help pastors and leaders navigate the “business side” of church—from budgeting to role clarity—so they can focus on what matters most: shepherding well.