Chief Executive Officer | Empire Chaplains LLC‍
‍Ordained Minister & Endorsed Chaplain | Church of God (Cleveland, TN)

Rev. Dr. Sonia R. Wisdom is the Chief Executive Officer of Empire Chaplains LLC, a premier provider of professional and compassionate spiritual care across healthcare, corporate, and community spaces. A visionary leader with a pastor’s heart, Dr. Wisdom is deeply committed to serving individuals in moments of crisis, transition, and spiritual need—wherever they may be found.

She holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin.), is board certified (BCC), and holds advanced certification in Palliative and Hospice Chaplaincy (BCC-PCHAC) as well as Certification in Ethics. She is ordained and endorsed as a chaplain by the Church of God (Cleveland, TN), where she has also served in leadership roles including youth pastor, church planter, Youth Camp Director, and former member of the New York State Youth Board.

Dr. Wisdom has built and led award-winning chaplaincy programs in two flagship hospitals within the Northwell Health system and serves as a founding co-chair of the Multifaith and Spiritual Care Business Employee Resource Group (BERG). Her experience across the workplace, the congregation, and clinical spiritual services has positioned her to bring a unique, deeply informed voice to corporate chaplaincy—where Empire Chaplains address employee well-being, workplace morale, presenteeism, and burnout. As she often says, “People have struggles in life and then go to work.” Through her leadership, Empire Chaplains is helping workplaces become more human-centered and spiritually aware.

For Dr. Wisdom, chaplaincy is a sacred calling—to walk alongside others through physical, moral, and spiritual distress, and to help them discover the strength and clarity that already resides within. Her mission is to provide exceptional person-centered care: to help, support, nurture, and encourage employees, their families, and their households with acceptance, compassion, and hope.

‍Her commitment to justice and transformation reaches far beyond the boardroom or hospital. Dr. Wisdom serves as a volunteer chaplain at a women’s minimum-security facility in Westchester County, preparing incarcerated women for reentry and continuing to walk with many after their release. Internationally, she is actively involved in building a school for children with special needs in Rundu, Namibia—a tangible extension of her belief that every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and love.

Her work is shaped by the heart of Scripture. She lives out the call of Luke 4:18:“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor… to set the oppressed free.”

She is also inspired by the wisdom of Maya Angelou:

“People may not remember what you said or what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Rev. Dr. Wisdom lives on Long Island, New York with her daughter and an extraordinary team of caregivers. Her life and leadership reflect a powerful synthesis of faith, service, and soul-centered care—offering hope, healing, and holistic support to those who need it most.