Kate Becker
Board Member
Kate Becker (she/her) grew up at Faith Mennonite Church in Newton, KS and currently resides in Washington DC. She received degrees in physics and math from Bethel College, a master of arts in theological studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and a master of arts in international science and technology policy from George Washington University. She has held positions at the Kansas Cosmosphere and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and currently serves as the Executive Officer for NASA's Earth Science Division. Contributing as a member of close-knit, high-functioning teams is her driving motivation.
Clayton Gladish
Board Member
Clayton Gladish (he/him) has a curious mind, compassionate heart, and practical spirit. These come in handy as part of the pastoral team at Silverwood Mennonite in Goshen, IN. Clayton grew up in British Columbia, found faith in his young adult life, and chose Anabaptism/Mennonites as his spiritual family. Though he initially resisted the call into pastoral ministry, he cannot imagine life any other way—what else does one do with two degrees in biblical studies? Even after coming out as gay in 2021, he knew that ministering with those who strive for inclusion and justice was the next step in his calling.
Xaris A. Martínez
Board Chair
Xaris A. Martínez (ella/she/her) is the Executive Manager at Neighborhood Funders Group. She grew up as a Mennonite pastor's kid in California and a missionary kid in Guatemala before completing degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Mississippi, and doctoral coursework in history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Xaris is a member of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, a member of the Missional Church Committee and Leadership Council of the Central District Conference of Mennonite Church USA, and is involved in immigrant and farmworker organizing and advocacy in North Carolina.
Blake Miller
Treasurer
Blake Miller (he/him) grew up as a Mennonite pastor's kid and missionary kid in Turkey before finishing high school in Goshen, Indiana. After receiving a degree in social work, he held administrative social work roles at a nonprofit providing housing and services to seniors. Blake is currently pursuing his Master's in Social Work from The Ohio State University. Blake is a member of Columbus Mennonite Church in Columbus, Ohio where he lives with his husband, Brendan, and rescue pup, Korva. Together, they enjoy travelling internationally and are working towards visiting all US National Parks.
Devin Dixon-Rosario
Board Member
Devin Dixon Rosario (he/him)was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where he has been a part of Harrisburg First Church of The Brethren since he was 8 years old. Over the past two years, Devin has worked as the Office Manager for Harrisburg First Church and the LGBTQ+ Justice Intern for On Earth Peace. More recently, Devin has accepted the position of Ministries Director for bcmPEACE and the Anti-Racism/Anti-Opression fellowship for On Earth Peace. Through his internship, Devin is grateful for the lifelong connections he has made with churches and organizations such as the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ+ interests where he has now joined the board! Finding a passion for ministry, he is committed to being a continuous learner and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the church and beyond. Currently, Devin is completing the last semester of his associate's degree in Business with plans to pursue his bachelor's degree in Psychology later this year.
Jess Hoffert
Vice Chair
Jess Hoffert (he/him) grew up in the Lewiston Church of the Brethren in southeast Minnesota. While working toward his degrees in magazines and broadcast news at Drake University, he attended the Stover Memorial Church of the Brethren in Des Moines, Iowa. Jess has worked at Des Moines-based Meredith Corporation since 2011 as a writer and editor for Midwest Living, the Official State Travel Guides for Kansas and North Carolina, and other publications. He currently works remotely from his home in Minneapolis, where he lives with his partner Andrew and his cats Leo and Max. Jess currently attends the Common Spirit and Open Circle Brethren congregations in the Twin Cities.
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Karen Orr
Secretary
Karen Orr (she/her/hers) is a member of Calgary Inter-Mennonite Church and is retired after a career in environmental protection and management. She loves the outdoors and spends as much time as possible hiking in the Rockies near her home in Calgary. Karen is a proud parent of three adult children and grandparent to four grandchildren. She is active in the LGBTQ community in Calgary and is a co-facilitator with TransJourneys, a local transgender support group.