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Meet our team of
leaders, listeners, reconcilers
and problem solvers.

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Christy Betz

Program Lead Giving Grace

Christy Betz

Christy is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology. She began volunteering with REMERGE in 2012 and soon discovered her ability to network and mobilize people to respond to neighbors in need. She soon started organizing what would become the Giving Grace network. Giving Grace now serves more than 10,000 individuals in metro-Atlanta area annually.

Sylvia Broome

Program Lead and Instructor Sweet Auburn Outreach, The REMERGE Institute

Sylvia Broome

M.T.S., Columbia Theological Seminary

Sylvia has worked in ministry since 1996. After working with an innovative shelter in New Orleans she realized what can be accomplished when people share life together living as neighbors, rather than a sterile “fixing” model. This experience began to transform the way she approaches life and ministry. Sylvia has been with REMERGE since 2011.

Kiersten Brydie

Resource Development + Communications REMERGE

Kiersten Brydie

M.A. Georgia State University

Kiersten is passionate about narrative storytelling as a way build relationships both on and offline. She has a background in strategic communications management, operations, and diversity programming in the Higher Education sector. Kiersten is focused on developing the stories of culture, community and social change in sweet Auburn and the metro-Atlanta area. 
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Anna Cable

Head of Entrepreneurship, Consultant + Coach The REMERGE Studio, Launchpad

Anna Cable

M.A. University of Southern Florida

Anna is a strategist, impact innovator, and coach with a particular focus in catalytic philanthropy, social enterprise, and creative social impact financing. She is a natural connector and catalyst, of people and ideas, often joking that her superpower is harnessing the power of the two F’s—finance and feelings. She currently is an independent consultant working both with those deploying assets and those building ideas, while also pursuing her own social entrepreneurial passions.

Grace Gardner

Executive Administrator REMERGE

Grace Gardner

Grace is a graduate of Emory University. She has a background in arts administration and community engagement. She is passionate about utilizing art to disrupt conventional schools of thought, cultivate community, and shape and tell the story of Sweet Auburn.

William Massey

Program Lead and Founder, ColorATL Arts & Culture, ColorATL

William Massey

William is a freelance artist, sculptor, and creative entrepreneur. William moved to Atlanta in 2013 and began his art career, from glassblowing, to teaching art to homeless youth, to public art installations on the Beltline. He now is a force of creative connection in Atlanta – utilizing the power of art to pursue social and racial reconciliation, build community, and comfort those in hardship.
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David Clark

Consultant + CoachThe REMERGE Studio

David Clark

M.B.A. Presidio Graduate School

David has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and an MBA from Presidio Graduate School. He is a senior consultant with over 18 years driving organizational effectiveness and strategy execution for clients operating at the intersections of business, civil society, and government. David has worked in 9 countries and taught strategy, operations, and entrepreneurship courses with a focus on sustainable business, corporate social responsibility, and social enterprise for graduate students at Lipscomb University, Mercer University, and Presidio.

Rico Hayes

Program Assistant Sweet Auburn Outreach

Rico Hayes

Andy Odle

Executive Director REMERGE

Andy Odle

M.Div. Anderson University School of Theology
Ph.D. King’s College, University of Aberdeen (Scotland)

Under Andy’s leadership, REMERGE has become an effective leader in building communities of dignity, imagination and inclusion. He has over 30 years of ministry and nonprofit experience. Andy is the editor and a contributor to the book Joining Lives: A Primer in the Ministry of Reconciliation (Eugene: Cascade Books, 2017).

Andy serves on the board of directors for the Georgia Fellowship of the Church of God (Anderson) and is an adjunct professor at Anderson University School of Theology and Ministry.
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Tye Edwards

Finance Manager REMERGE

Tye Edwards

B.A., Anderson University

Daniel Henry

Host The Community Building

Daniel Henry

Dan has noted that coffee, community and warmth brought him to REMERGE. He serves as our Immersive Experience Accomplice and enjoys exploring the neighborhood, art and culture. Outside of REMERGE, Dan also serves as a Consultant for Emory CFAR Community Liaison Council.

Amy Odle

Finance Advisor REMERGE

Amy Odle

Amy is a graduate of Western Washington University where she studied Recreational Therapy. Amy’s passion is in working with older adults with dementia.

Luna Pendleton

Client Relations Manager Giving Grace

Luna Pendleton

Luna has always had a passion to becoming the change. Since childhood, she would spend time volunteering and helping wherever she saw fit. Luna spent a decade in the legal field before beginning non profit work to connect individuals while educating others on how to elevate in spite of their environments. Her goals are to gift hope, confidence, and inspiration to single parents. She hopes to share skills of entrepreneurship while impacting the lives of others.
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Nathan Penner

Director of Experiential Learning The REMERGE Institute

Nathan Penner

Ph.D. Fuller Theological Seminary

Nathan is bringing his decade of experience working with nonprofits across the US, Africa and Asia along with his PhD in Inter-cultural Studies to launch the Remerge Institute for Communities of Peace. He is passionate about building community and bringing people together to facilitate deeper learning and understanding.

Kelsey Russell

Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence The REMERGE Studio

Kelsey Russell

M.B.A. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Kelsey is a collaborative business leader with a GM mindset developed from broad experience across the Coca-Cola system, including Strategy, Brand, Sales, Supply Chain, and Engineering. Her holistic experience enables a unique ability to speak to strategy development across the entirety of an organization and opportunities for value creation.

Ellie Thaxton

Program Lead Giving Grace-Clarkston

Ellie Thaxton

Board of Directors

Cherish Bailey

Board of Directors Director of Growth, AKQA, Atlanta

Cherish Bailey

Cherish is a results-driven leader and strategic connector. She leads regional growth across the Americas, partnering with world-class brands like Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, Netflix, and Chick-fil-A. With expertise spanning brand and marketing, digital products and services, and experiential activations, she excels at translating strategy into action—ensuring teams have clear goals, the right talent at the table, and a shared vision for success. Cherish is a dedicated wife, mom to three, and an active member of her Atlanta community. Whether volunteering at Oak Grove Elementary, working in the garden, or enjoying a Nintendo Switch party with family, she brings the same passion and energy to everything she does.

Kevin Earley, M.Div., D.Min.

Board of Directors Senior Pastor, Community Church, Atlanta

Kevin Earley, M.Div., D.Min.

Pastor Kevin is a native of Chicago and is an ordained minister of the Church of God. In October 2020, he became the senior pastor of the Community Church of God in Atlanta, Georgia. He previously served the historic Metropolitan Church of God in Detroit, Michigan for seventeen years. Rev. Earley has a management degree from Illinois State University and earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree academically from Anderson University School of Theology. He authored Every-Member Ministry: Spiritual Gifts and God’s Design For Service in 2013. Pastor Kevin is the former president of the National Inspirational Youth Convention and member of the Board of Trustees for Anderson University. He currently serves as a chaplain for the Atlanta Fire Department and the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta. Pastor Earley is a member of the Berean Fellowship, led by Bishop Timothy J. Clarke.

Paul Hamalian, M.Div., M.B.A.

Treasurer, Board of Directors VP, Steward of Spiritual Practices, Habitat for Humanity International (retired)

Paul Hamalian, M.Div., M.B.A.

Paul is the Vice President of Strategy and Operational Effectiveness for Habitat for Humanity International. He has a B.S. from California Polytechnic University, a Masters of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Seminary and an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He has over 20 years of leadership experience in international development at all levels: community, national, regional and global. His core strengths are finding solutions to complex challenges, thinking strategically while ensuring critical details are addressed, leading by listening, incorporating ideas of diverse stakeholders, and learning new skills. Paul is married with three children.

Leah Moore, M.A.

Secretary, Board of Directors Realtor, Dorsey Alston

Leah Moore, M.A.

Leah is a graduate of the University of Georgia and earned her master's degree from the Miami Ad School. Her background is in graphic design with extensive experience in leading projects in a variety of industries including technology, real estate, hospitality, retail, and healthcare. After working in the agency world for 7 years, she started her own company where she contracted for 15 years before transitioning to real estate.

Andy Odle, M.Div., Ph.D

Executive Director REMERGE

Andy Odle, M.Div., Ph.D.

Andy has a B.A. from Anderson University and an M.Div. from Anderson School of Theology. He earned his Ph.D. in Moral and Practical Theology (Theological Ethics) from King’s College, University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Under Andy’s leadership, REMERGE has become an effective leader in building communities of dignity, imagination and inclusion. He has over 30 years of ministry and nonprofit experience. Andy is the editor and a contributor to the book Joining Lives: A Primer in the Ministry of Reconciliation (Eugene: Cascade Books, 2017). Andy is married to Amy and they have three daughters and one son.

Bill Schnitzer, M.B.A.

Chairperson, Board of Directors Founder, Brightspot Financial Services

Bill Schnitzer, M.B.A.

Bill has held several key positions with large corporations including Kraft Foods, ZEP Manufacturing, and Georgia Pacific prior to acquiring Quality Fabricators® in Atlanta, GA. Most recently, Bill founded a fractional CFO business, Brightspot Financial Services. His ownership in this small business allows him the time to give back to the community. In addition to his work with REMERGE he is also a board member at TEDxPeachtree and Jumpstart Automotive Training Center. Bill has two children and one grandchild. He is a foodie, soccer and hockey fan, loves to bike ride, and practice yoga.

Catherine Slocum-Somuah, M.P.A.

Board of Directors Senior Manager for Resource Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Catherine Slocum-Somuah, M.P.A.

Catherine hails from sunny Florida but has made Atlanta her home. She has a B.S. in Communications from Florida State University and a Masters in Public Administration from Georgia State University. She is currently a Senior Specialist for Neighborhood Revitalization for Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta, GA. She has worked at organizations that fight for women’s and children’s health and rights, advocate against sex trafficking, and promote the arts. She is most passionate about justice and community development. Catherine and her husband Peter live in Atlanta.

Felecia Smith, M.DIV.

Board of Directors Founder, Metamorphosis Ministries, Inc
Felecia Pearson Smith, LLC

Felecia Smith, M.DIV.

Felecia has a B.A. in Religion from Wesleyan College and a M.Div. from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She has been honored by the Program of Black Church Studies at Emory for being the first African American woman graduate of the School of Theology. She was also honored by the Black Student Caucus and received the first “Felecia Pearson Smith Alumna Trail Blazer Award.” Felecia is an ordained minister of the Church of God in Anderson, IN. She has served as the President/CEO of the Shenango Valley Urban League, Inc, and the Director of the Bonner Office of Community Service and Student Development at Spelman College. She is the author of “My Hair. . . My Marriage.” Felicia is the founder of Metamorphosis Ministries Inc., focusing on the spiritual emotional health of women.

Ken Thompson, J.D.

Vice-Chair, Board of Directors Founding Partner, Pierson Ferdinand LLP

Ken Thompson, J.D.

Ken is a founding partner of Pierson Ferdinand LLP, a tech-driven, full-service law firm serving clients globally from over 20 key U.S. markets.  Prior to Pierson Ferdinand, Ken was a litigation partner at FisherBroyles LLP, where he represented and advised corporate, government, non-profit, entertainment and individual clients in a variety of practice areas, including complex commercial disputes, technology and intellectual property matters, franchising/licensing disputes, employment practices and medical malpractice. Before FisherBroyles, Ken was general counsel of a global software solutions provider with over 9000 customers in over 100 countries. He was also of counsel with Carlton Fields LLP and a senior associate with Troutman Sanders LLP. Ken began his legal career as a Judge Advocate with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.  He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law and Florida A&M University’s School of Business & Industry.

Advisory Board

Mary Baker-Boudissa, M.A.

Advisory Board Field Associate, SME Equity Education, Public Consulting Group

Mary Baker-Boudissa, M.A.

Mary serves on the Advisory Board for REMERGE. She serves as chair of the Civilian Review Board and is a member of the policy council for Head Start in Anderson, Indiana where she resides with her children. Mary is a graduate of Harvard University and also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology. She has over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, grant writing, communications, and program development. She is committed to developing programs and services that improve the lives of underserved women and children. She is also active in raising awareness about and promoting initiatives that aid in the prevention of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse of the most vulnerable.

Jay Rouse

Advisory Board Artist in Residence, Crossings Community Church
Owner, Jay Rouse Music Company

Jay Rouse

He has toured extensively in the US and abroad with Sandi Patty as her Music Director and accompanist. He recorded her American Songbook project in London, traveled to Japan and Korea, and Carnegie Hall. Additionally, Jay has worked with many Christian artists, among them Bill and Gloria Gaither, the Gaither Vocal Band, and most recently VERITAS. All this he has done while serving as vice-president of Publishing at PraiseGathering Music Group and composing some of Christian music's top-selling choral anthems. He is one of the leading arrangers, orchestrators and producers in the industry. All of this has created a body of work that comprises more than three hundred octavos and over fifty best-selling choral musicals.

Kimberly Majeski, M.Div., D.Min.

Advisory Board Founder, Stripped Love and Preacher Girl School
Executive Director, Christian Women Connection

Kimberly Majeski

Kimberly serves on the Advisory Board for REMERGE. She is an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries at Anderson University and is a co-host for Viewpoint, a syndicated radio program for Christians Broadcasting Hope. Kimberly is an ordained minister of the Church of God in Anderson, IN and has completed post graduate education at the University of Notre Dame and the Anderson School of Theology. Additionally, Kimberly is founder and CEO of Stripped Love, a not-for-profit ministry empowering women in sex trade to walk out of fear and into love. Kimberly and her husband Kevin reside in Anderson, Indiana with their son Max.

LeJuano Varnell, M.S.

Advisory Board Executive Director, Sweet Auburn Works

LeJuano Varnell

LeJuano Varnell LeJuano serves on the Advisory Board for REMERGE. He is the Executive Director of Sweet Auburn Works, the preservation-based economic development organization created to protect and enhance the commercial and cultural legacy of the Sweet Auburn Historic District. LeJuano received a B.A. in Economics from Morehouse College and an M.S. in Finance from the Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Mr. Varnell brings more than 18 years of private sector operating and finance experience in Africa, Asia and the US to this role, and has employed those skills to create a career of using private capital to solve difficult market problems. He is an avid outdoorsman, and when not hiking or biking, enjoys cooking with his friends and family.

Cherie Ong, M.A.

Advisory Board Co-founder and Principal, Good Places

Cherie Ong

Cherie is a former member of the Board of Directors for REMERGE and currently serves on our Advisory Board. Cherie holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of Melbourne and an M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. She is the Co-founder and Principal of Good Places, a firm that develops properties with mission and community impact at its forefront. She works directly with property owners, residents, artists, historically significant neighborhood churches, and nonprofits advocating for innovation in affordable housing and commercial spaces. She is also a Business and Development Consultant in Atlanta, GA.

Larry Webb, D.MD.

Advisory Board Owner, Southern Smiles Dental Associates

Larry Webb

Larry serves on the Advisory Board for REMERGE. He has been active with our Central Atlanta Community for over six years. He began his family oriented dental practice, Southern Smiles Dental Associates, in Clayton County, Georgia over 30 years ago after graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. His past activities in the local community include being a Board Member to Trinity Community Ministry, Former Board Member to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Clayton County Rotary Club, and the YMCA. Besides dentistry, he loves the outdoors, music, and his family – especially his wife Cindy and their children Sellers, Yates, and Jesse.

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