Lori E. Banfield

Assistant Director of Instructional Design Palmer Theological Seminary and College


Rev. Dr. Lori (Lo) Banfield is a native and resident of Philadelphia, PA, with interdisciplinary expertise in psychology and practical theology. She is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University (B.S., Psychology '11), Palmer Theological Seminary (Master of Theological Studies, '14), and Eastern University with a Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy ('18). With a love for studying and enhancing the sacred human experience, Dr. Banfield has dedicated her life, research, and service to fostering spiritual resilience and liberation paths in marginalized communities, especially those returning home from incarceration. Over the years, she has honed her skills as an instructional designer, curriculum, and program developer consistently lauded for her transformative classroom practices and a pedagogy rooted in capacity scaffolding and sacred space setting. Dr. Lo has a blossoming career in higher education as a Lecturer of Psychology at Eastern University, Assistant Director of Instructional Design for Palmer Theological Seminary and College, and Mamher of Practical Theology at Meachum School of Haymanot (St. Louis, MO). An attachment-narrative clinician and clergyperson, she remains dedicated to local service as an Associate Elder at Word Formed Church in Drexel Hill, PA. She is also the author of the spiritual formation book "Walking Worthy of My Calling: Journey Back to the Likeness of God," many academic journal articles, and a contributing author of multiple books and magazines across the disciplines of psychology, theology, and social justice. She currently serves on the Editorial Review Board of Urban Ministries, Inc (UMI) - the largest independent, African American-owned and-operated Christian media company, and is the Executive Director at Redemption Housing - Reentry Services (501c3). A wife and mother of two children, Dr. Lo endeavors to build atmosphere changers and restore sacred space within and beyond church, school, and prison walls. She reminds us, "Though we are prone to wander, we have been called to walk; keep walking in peace and resurrection power.”