Calenthia Dowdy, PhD (she/her) was born and raised in Philadelphia, is a cultural anthropologist and has taught on the faculties of Eastern University, Messiah University, and as remote adjunct faculty at the University of Montana. Calenthia’s doctoral research examined Afro-Brazilian youth activists in Rio de Janeiro. In Brazil she soaked in the fusion of Indigenous, African, and Portuguese cultures. Other life adventures include serving as a youth pastor, teaching kindergarten and eighth grade students, facilitating anti-racism trainings with Roots of Justice and Damascus Road. A public educator teaching AIDS information and stigma reduction, Dowdy is a recipient of the Red Ribbon Award from Penn’s Center for AIDS Research, a Women’s Way Powerful Voice Award, and 2022 Faith Leader of the Year Award by the Faith Leaders Network of Philadelphia FIGHT. She currently serves as the Director of Collaborative Ministries for Mosaic Mennonite Conference and president of the trustee board for the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia.

Madalyn Metzger is the incoming interim executive director of engagement and communications for the Church of the Brethren and an executive advisor and marketing consultant. She brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit and denominational leadership, including serving as chief marketing officer for Everence Financial and working in fundraising communications for Church World Service. Madalyn is a frequent speaker and writer on servant leadership, mission-driven marketing, and building cultures of equity and belonging, and has taught graduate- and undergraduate-level marketing as an adjunct professor. An alumna of Manchester University (BA) and Bluffton University (MBA), she lives in Bristol, Indiana, with her husband and is a member of the Goshen City Church of the Brethren.

Trey Ferguson serves as pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church and The Intention Church (an online congregation). He is the author of Theologizin' Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly and the forthcoming Love is Good Religion: A 30-Day Journey to Compassion, Contemplation, and Connection. Additionally, Trey hosts the "Three Black Men" and "New Living Treyslation" podcasts. When he's not busy playing with words, he's usually apologizing to his wife (Jessica) for playing too much, teaching his children to play too much, or letting some sports team disappoint him again.

Jenna Liechty Martin is executive director at Camp Friedenswald (Cassopolis, MI), a place she calls home along with her spouse and two children. She is an alumna of Bluffton University and served for three years with Mennonite Mission Network in Northern Ireland. Jenna is a member at Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, IN.

Matt Lehman Wiens is a writer and stay-at-home dad living with his partner and two children in Minnesota, where he is an MFA candidate at Hamline University. Before accepting the mantle of stay-at-home-fatherhood, he worked as the director of development at Bethesda Home, Radio Kansas, and Mennonite Mission Network. A proud graduate of Hesston College (AA), Goshen College (BA), and Eastern Mennonite University (MBA), he can also be found at lehmanwienswrites.com.

Rev. Gerald Hudson, MSW, Ph.D. Candidate is a resident of Jackson, Mississippi. He is a Social Work graduate of Eastern Mennonite University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Gerald has dedicated his life to communities through mediation and conflict resolution, community development, youth empowerment, teaching, and coaching. He is the founder, director, and creator of “Youth as Servant Leader” – Youth Leadership Institute and a consultant for workplace challenges involving conflict resolution, mediation, and team building. The proud father of one son, Cedric, Gerald is currently on sabbatical as he completes his post-graduate studies.

Karen Flores Vindel is an English/Spanish interpreter and translator that works and serves with a spectrum of organizations. She has deep connections to Anabaptist organizations and has collaborated through translation, public speaking, writing and more with Mennonite World Conference, Mennonite Central Committee, Community Peacemaker Teams, Global Anabaptist Health Network, Global Anabaptist Education Networks, Movement of Anabaptist Women Doing Theology from Latin America and several Anabaptist denominational conferences and congregations. Previously, she also served in New York City at the MCC UN Office through the IVEP program. Karen lives and works in Honduras and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is an aunt to 3 biological nieces and, 5 nieces and nephews from the heart. At home, her two dogs Coco Chispa and Sasha Alejandra keep her busy and bring lots of joy.