Sonya joined St. John’s staff after working for many years as a legal assistant in the Jacksonville, Florida and Washington, DC offices of a nationwide law firm, serving as Director of Christian Education at Episcopal churches in Florida and Virginia, and as Administrative Coordinator/Business Manager of the Methodist college ministry at Florida A&M University. Most recently she was an adjunct religion instructor at St. Leo University and also worked at a nonprofit research organization.
Sonya earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with specialization in management, summa cum laude, from St. Leo University. She subsequently earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. She has a Certificate in Church Management from The Villanova School of Business.
Sonya and her husband, The Rev. Dr. Mike Sowards, have two adult, married children and a growing number of grandchildren.