Shanya Luther, M.Div

Founder, Co-Owner, & Training Program Director

  • Shanya is a dynamic presenter with powerful messages for diverse audiences.

My name is Shanya and I am the founder and director of Among Friends, LLC. I have been specializing in healthy relationships and sexual development for over 20 years and a Behavior Professional for over 10.  On May 1st, I became business partners with my dear friend and employee, Cara.  She is now the director of the Behavior Services Program branch of Among Friends, which allows me to focus on the Training and Resource branch of Among Friends.  I have the joy of spending my time creating, and providing trainings for family and teams that support individuals with I/DD, focusing on sexuality, gender and healthy relationships.  I also occasionally  provide consultation for teams and clients.  

When I’m not working, I love to travel, engage in adrenaline sports, cook, and play with my dog!  While we’ve been cooped up during the COVID pandemic I’ve discovered drag queen culture and have decided I may be a drag queen, too!

I am blessed to have the opportunity to change lives every day.  I hope to see you in one of my trainings one day.

Professional Information

  • Undergrad: California State University in Sacramento, CA; Grad: Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA

  • 14 years (as of 2024)

  • I was a youth pastor in California and Oregon, a community outreach coordinator for a domestic violence prevention agency in Oregon, an intern for an HIV and AIDS prevention program in South Africa; and I scooped ice cream for my first job in California.

  • My philosophy about work evolves over time. Right now my focus is on helping people live their own best lives according to what they want and need.

  • I am extremely proud of helping several people with intellectual and developmental disabilities avoid prison time for issues that they did not understand and had received no education or support for.

  • My dearest mentor was Rev. Lizann Bassham. She died a few years ago, but I think of her all the time and she inspired me to get into the work I am doing today.

  • I love so many things! I love our team, I love our purpose, I love the diversity of our staff and our clients, and I am proud of having built an agency that honors each of us.

Get to Know Shanya

  • I spend a lot of time with my dogs. I love photography, dancing, art, and drag queen culture. And lately I have been doing a lot of home improvement projects.

  • Yes! I have a sweet dog named Zubi. She is milk-chocolate colored, about 45 pounds and FULL of energy. She’s a border collie / australian kelpie mix and she’s incredibly intelligent. She even knows over 30 tricks!!!

  • I live in a cute little home in McMinnville, Oregon with my dog. I painted it orange because I love orange. And I am creating a backyard oasis!

  • I haven’t given birth to any kids, but I have co-parented and helped raise several throughout my life. I also refer to my former youth group kids as “mine”. 🙂

  • I was born in Zimbabwe, Africa. I have lived a lot of years in NW Oregon, but also in Northern California. I have also lived for shorter periods of time in Brazil and South Africa.

  • The quarantine was very challenging personally and professionally. For all of our work, we had to pivot and re-create everything from scratch to be available online. And while it was extremely difficult, it has allowed us to reach far more people and be more of a support. Personally, it was very isolating and lonely. For over 2 years I only saw about 15 people in person, and not very often. But I’m starting to venture out again in small amounts.

  • I have been privileged to travel to over 30 different countries. I love them all for different reasons… I love the people, the cultures, the foods, the sounds, and learning about other customs and ways of living. One of my favorite moments, however, was walking off the plane onto the soil of the country where I was born after being gone over 25 years. I felt like a missing piece of me was reconnected with my heart.

  • Richard Marx at the Oregon State Fair when I was 14!

  • Because I was born there and I care about social justice issues I love movies that are based in Africa – like The Constant Gardener, Blood Diamonds, Hotel Rwanda, etc.

  • Oh man! I love so many foods!!! Thai coconut soup, Italian gnocchi, Mexican chimichanga, Japanese sushi… I love textures, smells, flavors, and the kinesthetic experience of food.