Advisors are leaders who shape the Network by providing strategic insights, guiding priorities and decision-making, and interpreting research.
2024-2025 Advisors
Thomas Benton
Thomas serves as Executive Director of Chick-fil-A’s Leader Launch Program, based in Washington, D.C. In his role, he represents the Chick-fil-A brand while working to build meaningful professional and personal relationships grounded in his Christian faith. Driven by a deep calling to lead and support others, particularly those who are wounded, Thomas aims to foster an understanding of God’s love at spiritual, emotional, and physical levels. He embraces a life of service and vulnerability that empowers others. Inspired by God’s grace and the people he encounters, Thomas is dedicated to cultivating communities characterized by hope, kindness, and joy, striving to glorify God in his daily work and interactions. Before becoming Executive Director, Thomas managed a $500,000 monthly budget as Financial Director and had oversight of recruitment and training as Talent Director. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Berry College, where he participated in the WinShape College Program.
Raygen Samone Brown
Raygen is a passionate follower of Jesus, and a creative storyteller based in Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Bethel University with a BA in Missional Ministries, Raygen travels the country as a photographer and videographer, using her lens to spark belonging and connection. She is deeply committed to the flourishing of Black families and motherhood, serving as a teaching artist and summer camp director with Heritage Homeschoolers of Cobb County. Raygen is also the creator of I AM: The Board Game, a project that celebrates the dignity and beauty of the Black soul. Her work reflects a dedication to empowering others and inspiring future generations through creative and intentional expressions of faith and community.
Eyram G Klu
Eyram is a Security Consulting Senior Analyst at Accenture’s Data & AI Security practice and a part-time MA Candidate in Duke’s Graduate Liberal Studies Program studying Responsible Technology, Ethics, and Society through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. An active parishioner at the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, Eyram is a Candidate in the Secular Franciscan Order in Raleigh, NC, where he is involved in launching the Alpha Program to help young adult Christians of all levels of faith to contemplate questions like “why faith?” and “who is Jesus?” as they foster a deeply personal relationship with the living Christ. Holding a BA from Duke in International Comparative Studies, Eyram aspires to be a thought leader who centers the infinite dignity of the human person that is central to Christian anthropology into moral and ethical frameworks for emerging technologies such as GenAI, Quantum Computing, XR, and more.
Baird James Linke
Baird is a pastor serving Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bonner, Montana, tucked alongside the Blackfoot River on Salish and Kootenai lands. He also works with Lutherans Restoring Creation, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, and ELCA Young Adults. Baird is passionate about ecotheology and ecojustice, faith formation, community building, and strong black coffee. When he’s not working, you can find him running or mountain biking on the trails with his dog Kintla, trying to cook a new recipe, or thinking about Dungeons and Dragons.
Marcos Martinez
Marcos is an inspired young leader, passionate about learning, community, and helping others. He believes in education through experience, and strives to lift as he climbs. He works as a Project Manager at the Berwyn Development Corporation, coordinating outreach strategies, workshops, and networking events to help connect the business community to valuable resources. He is also an MBA candidate at Dominican University, committed to acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to drive positive change in his community. Marcos previously served as the Outreach Coordinator at Iskali, a Catholic non-profit organization seeking to empower young Latinos, where he collaborated with team members to develop and execute outreach strategies to expand the organization’s impact. As a result, Iskali was able to engage hundreds of people in ministry, sports, scholarship, and mentorship programs.
Natalie Corrin Murdock
Natalie Corrin has a heart for encouraging young adults in their walk with God, one day at a time. Through the ministry she founded, Notes from Corrin, she hosts Another Day, Another Chance podcast, and creates Bible studies, devotionals, sermons, and encouraging social media content. Natalie has a Master of Public Health from Purdue University and is finishing her Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology at Emory University as a Woodruff Fellow. Natalie currently serves as the Young Adult Ministry leader at the Historic Hill First Baptist Church, where she was ordained in April 2024. Professionally, Natalie serves as a Public Health Program Associate at the Emory Centers for Public Health Training and Technical Assistance, where she supports public health organizations across the country in their learning and engagement work. In all she does, Natalie is thankful for the privilege to serve God and God’s people.
Allen Madriaga Wong
In 2016, Allen picked up a camera and never looked back. He is the founder of Allen Wong Creative Space, a full-service video production company specializing in producing podcasts, curricula, and documentaries with a marketing-forward approach. Allen also serves as the Production Coordinator at A Seattle Church, overseeing audio, video, and media for Sunday services. Outside of work, Allen loves spending time with his wife, their mini poodle, and their newborn son.
2023-2024 Advisors
Jade Evans
Jade is the Assistant Director of Congregational Innovation in the Education Beyond the Walls Department at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Jade’s work gives particular focus to the 787 Collective, an initiative that bridges the gap between young adults and communities of faith. In addition, Jade is pursuing a PhD in Religious Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on African diaspora/Black religions, mortuary politics, and sacred Black geographies. She holds an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, with certification in Black Church Studies. She has completed a Clinical Pastoral Education residency with a concentration in psychiatric and perinatal care. She also serves as Associate Minister at David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.
Mireya Guzman
Mireya is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Iskali’s Junior Board. Mireya works as an Associate at CRG, a Real Estate Development and Investment firm where she is responsible for supporting regional offices, the capital markets group, and senior leadership with financial analysis of new and existing development projects and analysis of the consolidated CRG platform. Prior to joining CRG, Mireya was a Portfolio Manager for Wintrust Bank in Chicago. Mireya received her BA in Economics with a minor in Political Science and a BA in Spanish Language and Literature from Dominican University. She was a member of Sigma Delta Pi (National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society). Mireya is also a member of the Young Associates Board (YAB) of Almost Home Kids. Mireya enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and trying new restaurants.
Edward W. Olewinski
Eddie Olewinski is a Georgetown University graduate student in the field of Emergency and Disaster Management. He holds a BA and BS from DePaul University, where he studied supply chain operations, political science, and catholic studies. As an emergency management professional in Chicago, Eddie seamlessly merges his strong Roman Catholic vocation into his professional and personal endeavors. Embracing disaster response as a sacred duty, he is committed to safeguarding and serving others. Eddie applies essential Christian virtues to guide his approach, mindful of doing all for the greater glory of God. His dedication to the field fuels his mission to positively impact the community by fostering a climate of resilience and hope.
Amar D. Peterman
Amar D. Peterman is an author and theologian working at the intersection of faith and public life. He holds an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and is the founder of Scholarship for Religion and Society LLC, a research and consulting firm working with some of the leading philanthropic and civic institutions, religious organizations, and faith leaders in America today. A widely published writer, Amar‘s work has been featured in Sojourners, Christianity Today, the Christian Century, Faithfully Magazine, Fathom, The Berkely Forum, and more. His first book, focusing on the common good, neighbor love, and faith formation, is under contract with Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nicole Williams
Nicole, author of The Unboxing: A Black Girl’s Journey of Mental Health, Faith, and Identity, founded LUNA, a global ministry empowering students to discover God’s purpose in academics while prioritizing holistic health. Over the last 5 years, LUNA has served hundreds of students, making a significant impact. Nicole also serves as the worship leader at Bethel Church of Morristown, New Jersey, under the leadership of her father, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams Jr. Beyond ministry, her online coaching business, Covenant Consulting, equips Christian leaders to establish impactful online ministries and six-figure coaching businesses. Holding a BA in Sociology and a minor in French from Princeton University, Nicole plans to pursue a master’s degree in international relations at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, from which she will graduate in 2026.
