Kevin Adame | Advancement Services Coordinator
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2024
Degrees: BA in German (Arizona State University)
Professional Experience: Kevin worked in logistics, packing and sending parcels all over the country and world for UPS. He also served as an administrator at a cardiologist office doing many clerical tasks which he do now in Advancement.
Places He’s Called Home: Oceanside, CA; Mesa, AZ; and now Boston’s North Shore
Fun Fact: I love learning languages and can speak and read German and Portuguese fluently.

[email protected] | 978-646-4165

Mark Barrett | Director of Development, Southeast
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2024
Degrees: BS in Sport and Entertainment Management (University of South Carolina), Current Degree Program: MA in Theological Studies (Gordon-Conwell)
Professional Experience: Mark worked in the music industry after college, promoting and marketing concerts for Live Nation. He moved to East Africa at 30 years old and began a journey into the non-profit world that included serving with Cure International, Salvation Army, and Freedom School Partners (NC).
Places He’s Called Home: Lancaster, SC; Blantyre, Malawi; Mbale, Uganda; Columbia, SC; Matthews, NC
Fun Fact: Mark got married at age 37 to his incredible wife, whom he met at church where they both served as student ministry leaders. He now has two amazing daughters and credits his family for teaching him incredible amounts about his faith and God’s love.

“I love to hear the stories of others, and I get to experience meaningful conversations with donors and supporters every single day. I’m thankful for the culture at Gordon-Conwell—it’s a place that keeps God at the center, and our work benefits from being grounded in truth. Gordon-Conwell prepares students to become world changers and servant-heart leaders. I’m thankful to witness and be a part of it.“

[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

Krissi Carroll | Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2025
Degrees: MATS (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary); BA in Biblical & Theological Studies (Gordon College)
Professional Experience: Krissi brings over a decade of experience in leadership, organizational development, project management, communication, and administration. She has served in a variety of contexts, from managing a law firm to pastoral ministry.
Places She’s Called Home: Haverhill, MA, Boston’s North Shore, and Champ-près-Froges, France
Fun Fact: Krissi loves spending time outdoors in nature, especially on long hikes in the woods with her husband and kids. She also loves music, books, deep conversations and good coffee (preferably together).

“I am excited to be back at Gordon-Conwell serving on a team dedicated to fostering relationships with and supporting our alumni! So many Gordon-Conwell alumni are doing extraordinary things as they love God and serve the world around them, and it’s such a privilege to get to share in the ways they are being the hands and feet of Jesus to the world by supporting them along the way.”

[email protected] | 978-646-4272

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

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 | Senior Director of Development Programs
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2022
Degrees: MDiv (Princeton Theological Seminary), BA in Biblical and Theological Studies (Alliance University)
Professional Experience: Joseph served as a pastor in New York City, ministering to the homeless in the community 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

Rev. Deana A. Nail | Director of Thriving in Ministry, MDiv Program Director – Networked Education, Adjunct Faculty
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2014
Degrees: DMin (in progress – Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), MDiv (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), BA (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
Professional Experience: Deana has served in pastoral roles for 22 years, including nine-years as Gordon-Conwell Networked Education dean of students, a position in which she provided pastoral care and created spiritual formation environments for students. She has served as a pastor in churches across five denominations, and a variety of sizes and demographics.
Places She’s Called Home: Charlotte area, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem, NC
Fun Fact: Before God led Deana into vocational ministry, she served on the sports marketing team that brought the NFL’s Carolina Panthers into existence.

“Perhaps there has never been a more challenging and exciting time to be a pastor. My life’s verse is Acts 11:23, which speaks of Barnabas encouraging the new church at Antioch to remain true to Christ with all their hearts. I pray that God works through Thriving in Ministry to help pastors connect deeply with Christ and His vision for their family, church and community at a time such as this.”

[email protected] | 978-646-4222

Marcelo Santana | Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2025
Degrees: MDiv (anticipated May 2026, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), MA in Urban Ministry Leadership (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary), BA in Language Arts: Portuguese & English (UNIFAHE, Brazil)
Professional Experience: Marcelo is a bilingual marketing and communications professional with more than five years of experience serving faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofits. His background bridges creative marketing and pastoral ministry, equipping him to lead social media, email, and branding initiatives while also serving as a youth minister focused on spiritual formation, community building, and cross-cultural engagement.
Places He’s Called Home: Rio de Janeiro and Palmas, Brazil, and Northborough, MA
Fun Fact: Marcelo’s playlist jumps from heavy metal to smooth bossa nova. When he’s not behind the drum kit, he’s rolling on the mats as a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, sipping strong coffee, diving into theology books, or kicking back with his wife and kids.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at Gordon-Conwell, where I can combine my love for communication and ministry. It’s inspiring to help tell the stories of how God is using this seminary and its alumni to equip leaders for His Kingdom.”

[email protected] | 978 646 4065

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

Ruby Kim | Alumni Communications and Events Assistant
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2025
Degrees: BS in Media, Culture, & Communication (New York University); Current Program: MDiv
Professional Experience: Ruby is currently directing a youth/young adult dance ministry based in NY called Audience of 1(AO1). Prior to committing to the ministry full-time, Ruby worked at an advertising agency in the operations department.
Places She’s Called Home: New York and Korea
Fun Fact: Ruby currently has an obsession with bows and the color pink.

[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

J.P. Schemmer | Alumni Communications and Data Assistant
First Year at Gordon-Conwell: 2025
Degrees: BA in Philosophy / Biblical & Theological Studies (John Brown University), Current Program: MDiv 
Professional Experience: J.P. has served in various church and ministry contexts with experience in youth ministry, urban ministry, camp ministry, and church planting. He has also served as a wilderness guide for various youth leadership development organizations.
Places He’s Called Home: Tulsa, OK; Siloam Springs, AR; Kansas City, KS
Fun Fact: J.P. loves outdoor activities like backpacking, rock climbing, and whitewater kayaking. He has also been on an archaeological dig in Jordan and loves learning about history and culture

[email protected] | 978-646-4272