Laura Carmer | Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Global Education
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2020
Degrees: MACO (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary); BA in Psychology and BA in Spanish (Carnegie-Mellon University)
Professional Experience: Laura has 30+ years of experience in higher education administration in the areas of global education, missions, service-learning, and student life and co-directed an honors program in faith and vocation. She has also worked in community mental health, campus ministry, and church community outreach.
Places She’s Called Home: Rural central PA, Pittsburgh, and Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Laura loves to explore and understand other cultures. Her work has allowed her to build relationships and partnerships in a dozen countries around the world in addition to her personal friendships and travel in many more.
“I love that I get to know, serve, and support Gordon-Conwell’s remarkable alumni. It is so inspiring to see how our alumni are faithfully living out their various callings. It’s a joy to work under a President and alongside colleagues who daily exemplify devotion to the Lord and creative, humble service in all that they do.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4148
Danielle DeLong | Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
Degrees: MATH and MAIS (Gordon-Conwell ‘22), BA English (Crandall University ‘15)
Professional Experience: Danielle has 10+ years in administrative roles, and extensive experience in event planning and project management positions in a variety of educational, ministry, business and international contexts.
Places She’s Called Home: Boston’s North Shore; Durham, England; New Brunswick, Canada; and Nova Scotia, Canada
Fun Fact: Danielle loves to paint, hike around the UK, spend time with her family in Nova Scotia, and quote Jim Carrey’s The Grinch religiously.
“Gordon-Conwell has been my home away from home while I was a seminary student. I now consider it a privilege to be part of a team that is dedicated to supporting the flourishing of Gordon-Conwell alumni spread throughout the world.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4272
Eric Convey | Director of Development, Northeast
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2020
Degrees: BA in Business Administration with a minor in Music Performance (Gordon College)
Professional Experience: Eric was a journalist for 25 years, a Congressional Press Secretary, and a communications director in the investment industry.
Places He’s Called Home: Connecticut, Boston’s North Shore, Washington D.C.
“The hearts, minds, and priorities of people across Gordon-Conwell make the place and its mission irresistible to me.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4033
Brian Gardner | Vice President of Advancement
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2019
Degrees: PhD in Higher Education (Loyola University Chicago); MBA in Information Systems Management (Seattle Pacific University); BS in Business & Economics (George Fox University)
Professional Experience: Brian has over 25 years of experience in higher education development and enrollment. He has counseled nonprofits on fundraising, spoken at professional conferences, and served on various organizational boards.
Places He’s Called Home: Portland (OR), Seattle, Chicago, rural Indiana, and Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Brian is a terrible golfer, but has a tremendous appreciation for the game!
“Gordon-Conwell has equipped 11,000 alumni to make disciples of Jesus Christ through various ministry and cultural contexts across all 50 U.S. states and nearly 100 nations around the world. I anticipate with joy and confidence the impact of today’s students when they join them.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4070
Jonathan Guir | Director of Advancement Services
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2022
Degrees: Associate in Science in Business Administration
Professional Experience: Jon has ten years of experience in Development Operations and Services having worked for local non-profit health care organizations.
Places He’s Called Home: Boston, MA and Simi Valley, CA
Fun Fact: Jon enjoys drumming on Sundays at his local church and learning new things, such as working on his golf swing as a new fan of the game.
“Being from the Boston area, I’ve always appreciated the seminary’s mission. I’m grateful to be in a position where I can now participate in this new capacity while serving our students, alumni, and faculty. I’m excited to serve alongside some amazing people and see what God will continue to do through Gordon-Conwell.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4166
Bethany Gunnink | Partnership Program Administrator
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2016
Degrees: BA in French and Francophone Studies, Secondary Education, Current Degree Program: MA in Theological Studies
Professional Experience: Bethany has spent several years teaching French in a variety of contexts including charter school, public school, international school in Ethiopia, and Outdoor Nature school. She has worked in admissions and other administrative roles for Gordon-Conwell and non-profit organizations and ministries.
Places She’s Called Home: Columbia and Charleston, SC; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Charlotte and Salisbury, NC
Fun Fact: My favorite season is autumn.”
“The work that we do in Advancement excites and encourages me, and particularly in the Partnership Program, as I get to see God move mountains and open doors for students to be here. We are witnesses to His work in their lives, which is a joy to experience, and yet as Lilias Trotter says, ‘God only knows the endless possibilities that lie folded in each one of us!'”
[email protected] | 704-808-4300
Rus Howard | Donor Relations Specialist
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2023
Degrees: BA in Religion (University of North Carolina), Masters of Divinity (Princeton Theological Seminary), Doctorate of Ministry (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
Professional Experience: Rus pastored for 35+ years before retiring from congregational ministry to serve as a Life Recovery Mentor and Spiritual Director for a rescue mission. He has worked on and led development teams for various human services non-profits. He also established a hospice ministry and emergency family shelter, both of which are still engaged in faithful ministry.
Places you’ve called home: Jacksonville Beach, FL; Pittsburgh, PA; Cherry Valley, IL; Greensboro, NC, and Ponca City, OK.
Fun Fact: My “happy places” are at the beach, on my bicycle, in front of a crime thriller novel, taking walks alongside my wife, Rori, and playing with my grandkids. My most meaningful ministry experiences have been in hospice care and with those who are broken. When asked to describe myself, I confess, “I’m an over-promoted sheep.”
“God provides for GCTS’ ministry through the generosity and faithfulness of our donors. Without donors we do not have scholarships. Without scholarships we do not have students. Without students we cannot fulfil our mission ‘To advance Christ’s Kingdom in every sphere of life by equipping Church leaders to think theologically, engage globally and live biblically.’ I love helping donors find joy in sharing their blessings and being a blessing to others.”
[email protected] | 330-671-3805
Joseph Kim | Director of the Partnership Program
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2022
Degrees: MDiv (Princeton Theological Seminary), BA in Biblical and Theological Studies (Alliance University)
Professional Experience: Joseph served in NYC, ministering to homeless and undocumented populations and promoting civic engagement within underrepresented AAPI communities while also working for JPMorgan Securities where he generated nine-figure growth during his tenure. Most recently, he managed an international portfolio of relationships for a megachurch in South Korea.
Places He’s Called Home: Queens, NY; Princeton, NJ; Santiago, Chile; Seoul, Korea; and Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Joseph was born and raised in the Jackson Heights area of Queens, recognized by the NY Times as having over 160 languages represented in under half a square mile. He has snowboarded in five countries on three different continents, but still isn’t as good as he would like to be.
“I was captivated by the Partnership Program’s unique positioning to serve students’ financial needs in a very tangible form; providing a debt-free path through seminary. Hearing about the seminary’s courageous strategic vision for the future, I knew the Lord was calling me to Gordon-Conwell.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4151
Amanda Mittelman | Alumni Marketing & Communications Coordinator
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2020
Degrees: MA in Theological Studies (Gordon-Conwell), BA in Biblical and Religious Studies (Grove City College)
Professional Experience: After serving as a student worker for two years in the Alumni and Marketing & Communications offices, Amanda stepped into a full-time position as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator in 2023. She also runs her own art company, through which she creates physical art pieces and graphic designs.
Places She’s Called Home: Cherry Hill, NJ; Pittsburgh & Grove City, PA; Paris, France; and Boston’s North Shore.
Fun Fact: Amanda loves leading worship (piano and vocals) and founded Grove City College’s bi-annual 24-hour continuous worship event.
“I love hearing from Gordon-Conwell alumni, seeing the variety of ministry positions they serve in, and witnessing how God uniquely uses their gifts, experiences, and education to prepare them for their Kingdom work.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4272
Mary Sedler | Advancement Services Coordinator
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2021
Degrees: BA in Middle School Education and History (Gordon College), Current Program: MA in Counseling (MACO)
Professional Experience: After serving as a student worker for two years in the Advancement office, Mary moved into her current part-time staff position in 2023. Before coming to Gordon-Conwell, she was a youth director and administrative assistant.
Places She’s Called Home: Byfield, MA and Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Mary loves to spend time at the beach on the North Shore and time out on the water in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.
“As a Gordon-Conwell student, I love being at a place that prepares disciples to go out into the world in a variety of capacities to spread the love of Jesus Christ. Working in Advancement has given me the opportunity to help other students maintain their partnerships and to receive donations to help the seminary and students receive the funding they need.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4165
Liesl Smith | Assistant Director of Seminary Grants
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2023
Degrees: PhD in Medieval Studies (University of Toronto); MA in Literary and Critical Theory (Carnegie Mellon University); BA in English (Virginia Tech)
Professional Experience: Liesl has over 20 years of experience in higher education. After transitioning into academic administration from the faculty world of teaching (medieval literature and history), she worked in global education.
Places She’s Called Home: Pittsburgh; Nanchang, China; Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Toronto; Canada; Salem, Boston and the Northshore. (Places she wants to call home: Craven, Yorkshire Dales; St-Léon-sur-Vézére, Perigord, and Socotra.)
“To have work that one fully believes in—to support the equipping and spiritual formation of women and men going into ministry—is a privilege. To be surrounded by colleagues of such genuine faith and character is an absolute gift. I am deeply thankful to be at Gordon-Conwell with this team helping to advance the work of the seminary”
[email protected] | 978-646-4167
Lisa Steigerwalt | Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Advancement
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2016
Degrees: BS in Food Service Management (Liberty University)
Professional Experience: Lisa has served in a variety of fields including food service management at a Christian conference center and 10 years as the fulfillment manager for an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company. She has worked in numerous administrative roles, including serving as a typist for Elisabeth Elliot Gren.
Places She’s Called Home: Vineland, NJ; Southern Virginia; Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: Lisa enjoys creating presentations and sharing the gospel through tea, history, hospitality, and homemaking.
“It is a privilege to serve with so many remarkable colleagues, faculty, students, alumni, and friends of Gordon-Conwell. It is a great joy to support the vital work of the seminary by helping to connect friends, old and new, with the historic and glorious mission of Gordon-Conwell—to cultivate fruitful global disciple-makers for the glory of Christ!”
[email protected] | 978-646-4229
Advancement Student Staff
Sam Albert | Partnership Program Assistant
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2023
Degrees: BS in Business Administration (Appalachian State University), Current Program: MDiv
Professional Experience: Sam has worked as a sales and inventory manager at a family-owned small business.
Places He’s Called Home: Davidson, NC and now Hamilton, MA!
Fun Fact: Sam owns a cookie monster onesie, and wears it proudly to social gatherings, regardless of theme.
“I was inspired by the work of the Advancement and the Partnership Program teams. Student-loan debt is crippling for many seminary graduates. Being a part of the team that helps lessen the burden of finances for students is a great joy. I am a part of the Partnership Program myself, and can’t wait to see where the Lord takes us!”
[email protected] | 978-646-4027
Amy Jeong | Alumni Communications and Data Assistant
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2023
Degrees: BS in Psychology and Minor in Computer Science (Northeastern University), Current Program: MDiv
Professional Experience: Amy has various work experience in tutoring, crafting specialty coffee, managing shifts at a café, assisting in administration, and serving in youth ministry.
Places She’s Called Home: Korea and Boston, MA
Fun Fact: Going outside everyday is a must for Amy no matter the weather unless there’s a severe storm. On harder days, she finds comfort in enjoying a hot cup of coffee with good company (or pastry) or having a hot bowl of Korean stew over rice.
“I am honored to be on a team that supports the alumni of Gordon-Conwell–who are spread all over the world and faithfully walk with God–and to have the opportunity of connecting with them.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4272
Yechang Lee | Advancement Student Worker
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2023
Degrees: BA in Biological Sciences (University at Buffalo), Current Program: MATS
Professional Experience: Yechang has worked as a tourist guide, staff at a sushi restaurant, and in a consulting company.
Places He’s Called Home: Ulsan, South Korea and Shanghai, China
Fun Fact: He loves to watch sport games, especially baseball, and analyze the statistics.
“It has been a great opportunity to work in the Advancement Office with passionate people. We receive donations and funds that support Gordon-Conwell, and through the process, I get to know about our school and a variety of ministries.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4165