Meet the Polaris Staff
Cynthia Gordon
Cynthia Gordon
A native of upstate New York, Cynthia supports the Polaris Team and a growing portfolio of events, programs, and initiatives. She graduated with honors from Purdue Global with an MAS in Higher Education Administration and Leadership and Summa Cum Laude from Rowan University with a BA in Psychology and Education. She has worked in the public education system in special education in multiple roles, Child Study Team, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and Registered Behavioral Therapist for children with Autism. Cynthia is a retired professional ballerina, director, nationally awarded choreographer, and teacher who is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge as a faculty member at Elevate Dance Academy. Cynthia is dedicated to the betterment of youth development and empowerment seeing each young mind as a masterpiece in the making. She cherishes her time with her rescue dog Roxy and three daughters, Gabryella, Jyllian, and Alexys.
Azucena “Ceni” De La Torre
Azucena "Ceni" De La Torre
Ceni works closely to implement the Polaris Fellowship, supporting cohorts through a year-long leadership acceleration program. She has worked in parish and university ministries, directed retreats, and lived as a residential rector. She presented a TEDx Talk, “The Unexpected Gift of Death”, an exploration of the ways grief grants us the blessing of sameness. She holds a BA from DePaul University and earned her MTS at Duke Divinity School. She is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Ceni is a community-builder, steadfast encourager, an advocate for young adults navigating life in ministry, and a Catholic laywoman intentionally dedicated to ecumenical collaboration. She lives and writes in Chicago.
Shari
Oosting
Brooke Foster
Shari leads the Polaris team and develops the network’s research and program offerings. A lifelong Christian, her call was clarified in her early 20s after she was invited to lead in campus ministry. She is insatiably curious about God’s unfolding story and loves hearing how people join the Holy Spirit’s work in diverse and imaginative ways. She has experience discerning vocational next steps with seminary students and ministry professionals, leading teams, preaching, teaching, and designing educational programs and resources. She holds a BA from Grand Valley State University and an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. She enjoys bringing people together so they can learn, form friendships, generate new ideas, and collaborate. She resides in Holland, Michigan, with her spouse Jason and their four children Asher, Ezra, Elia, and Ada. They worship together at Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan.
Chelsea Smith
Chelsea Smith
Chelsea leads marketing and communications for the Polaris team, bringing their mission and work to life through compelling storytelling. With a background in enrollment marketing and educational outreach, she has crafted campaigns for a wide range of programs, with a special focus on photo and video production. Chelsea sharpened her skills as a director, writer, and producer of short documentary films while working with arts organizations and non-profits. She holds a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota and has earned certificates in Multimedia and Content Production, most recently from the College of Innovation and Design at Boise State University. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and biking, curating a local film festival, and singing and playing guitar.
Akshay John
Akshay John
Akshay manages program and marketing data and analytics by developing dashboards, reporting systems, and digital engagement tools that strengthen leadership development and program evaluation. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in information decision sciences and a minor in computer science, bringing a strong background in data analysis, process improvement, and cross-departmental collaboration. Akshay is passionate about using data to tell stories that empower leaders and communities. Originally from Kerala, India, and raised in Doha, Qatar, he is now based in Norristown, PA. He enjoys exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and creativity through ministry and is dedicated to sharing his experiences as an immigrant and South Indian American through music and writing. In his free time, Akshay loves making music, traveling and discovering new food spots and hiking trails with his wife, Shreya.
Kenda Creasy Dean
Shari Oosting
An ordained United Methodist minister, Kenda teaches practical theology, youth ministry, education and formation, and social innovation at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she serves as the Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture. She has extensive experience in new ministry development, grant writing, and nonprofit ministry, especially with young people. Kenda is the author of a dozen books including Delighted: What Teenagers are Teaching the Church About Joy (with Wes Ellis, Abigail Rusert, and Justin Forbes); Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church; and The Godbearing Life (with Ron Foster). She is a frequent speaker and consultant on young people and church innovation and has worked with dozens of seminaries, judicatories, congregations, and other faith-based entities. A graduate of Miami University in Ohio, Wesley Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary, Kenda served as a pastor in suburban Washington, DC, and as a campus minister at the University of Maryland before coming to Princeton. She and her husband Kevin live on campus and love hanging out at the beach with their grown children.
Abigail Visco Rusert
Abigail Visco Rusert
Abigail experienced a call to ordained ministry as a young adult, pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She has served in a variety of ministry roles, including associate pastor, youth director, chaplain, camp counselor, and as Director of Princeton Seminary’s Institute for Youth Ministry. She is passionate about researching and designing programs that serve congregational leaders and transform Christian communities, and she has facilitated more than $8 million in grant funding to foster changemaking in the church. A graduate of Valparaiso University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and a current PhD student at the University of Notre Dame Maryland, she is the co-author of the book Delighted: What Teenagers are Teaching the Church About Joy. Abigail and her husband, Thomas, have three kids—Dorothy, Solveig, and Frank—and live in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where Abigail serves as a small group leader at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Polaris Student Staff
Cynthia Lindsay
Cynthia Lindsay
Cynthia is an MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary, pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church (UMC). She holds a BA in Psychology and Law, as well as a BA in Religion with a concentration in Interfaith Studies from Augsburg University. Her involvement in campus ministry deepened her connection to the church and sparked her love for working with youth and other young adults. Cynthia edits blog posts for Polaris to amplify the voices of contributors and creates content for Polaris’ social media channels. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, playing tennis, and spending time with her husband, Nolan.
Grace Amwe
Grace Amwe
Grace is pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation (MACEF) at Princeton Theological Seminary. Originally from northern Nigeria, Grace already holds a master’s degree in special education and has experience teaching students from kindergarten through college. Her passion lies at the intersection of disability, religion, and education. Grace is deeply committed to supporting young adults, especially those facing difficulties, and has been actively involved in both campus ministry and youth ministry in her local church.
Isabella Shutt
Isabella Shutt
Isabella is an MDiv student at Princeton Theological Seminary, pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). She earned her bachelor’s degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. During her undergraduate program, Isabella’s dimming faith was reignited by an inclusive and justice-oriented campus ministry. She is passionate about increasing the availability and accessibility of mentorship for young adults, hoping others can find the meaningful community she found. Isabella manages the Polaris blog and supports the network’s social media management. She enjoys snuggling with her beagle, Atticus, and baking sweet treats.