Advancement Staff
Jason Blanton | Director of Development, Southeast
Degrees: Post Graduate Certificate, Nonprofit Management (UNC Greensboro); MDiv, Pastoral Studies (Gardner-Webb University); BA Religious Education (Gardner-Webb University)
Professional Experience: Jason spent most of his career in local church service – seven years as Minister of Youth and Education, and then seventeen as Senior Pastor at two congregations in North Carolina. He has experience in grant writing, building and developing non-profits, fundraising, and executive leadership. He has also served as a volunteer lobbyist for a world hunger organization and a grass roots community leader in Charlotte, primarily focused on hunger issues and racial justice.
Places He’s Called Home: North Carolina – Boiling Springs, Belhaven, and Charlotte
Fun Fact: Jason has hiked the Himalaya mountains, said a prayer in the East Wing of the White House, and toured over half the United States as a drummer.
“I love my work here at Gordon-Conwell because it allows me to serve the next generation of people just like me, who will go out into mostly small churches, serve in anonymity, and change their world one relationship at a time.”
[email protected] | 704-940-5814
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
Jane Chun | Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2022
Degrees: MDiv (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary); BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Law, English Literature and Creative Writing, History (Binghamton University)
Professional Experience: Jane has experience in non-profit management, applied religious research, and next-generation ministry. Currently, she is the director of ARISE Ministries and the EC minister at North Boston KUMC in Andover, MA. Jane also serves as the research specialist for Gordon-Conwell—CUME’s Thriving Congregations and #MyFaith Lilly Grants.
Places She’s Called Home: NYC (Manhattan, Queens), Binghamton, NY, MA’s North Shore, Greater Boston
Fun Fact: In her free time, Jane is an avid vinyl collector and loves four things: jazz, coffee, interior design, and basketball. If you see her being quiet on campus, it’s because she’s introverted, not because she doesn’t want to talk to you; feel free to talk to her about any of the above (especially basketball– if you can handle talking to a New Yorker about basketball).
“Gordon-Conwell has been a very important part of my formation as a believer, minister, and person. As an alumna, I am infinitely grateful to witness all that God is doing through our alumni, and I’m excited to be a part of the team as we serve and support them.”
[email protected] | 978-646-4148
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
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
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
Amanda Mittelman | Alumni Communications & Event Coordinator
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2020
Degrees: BA in Biblical and Religious Studies (Grove City College, 2020); Current Degree Program: MA in Old Testament Studies
Professional Experience: Amanda founded and runs her own art company, Emerson Printing & Co. In addition to her work in the Advancement office, she also works in the Marketing and Communications office, as a Byington Scholar, and as the RLC for Graham Hall.
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.
“As a current student, 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 Office Assistant
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2021
Degrees: BA in Middle School Education and History (Gordon College), Current Program: MA in Counseling (MACO)
Professional Experience: Mary has taught middle school social studies in the past as well as leading in middle school and high school youth groups for over 5 years. She also worked as the church administrative assistant at her home church.
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