start-a-group-background

Jeffrey Asher, MBA, Secretary

Denver, CO
Banker

Jeff retired from banking in 2015 after over 20 years with FirstBank Holding Company in Lakewood, CO. As a Senior Vice President, he led the compliance department, overseeing such areas as leadership, staff development, compliance training and program management, regulatory exam management and board of directors reporting. His previous experience includes consumer and commercial lending, bank operations, real estate appraisal review, and regulation analysis. He has been a conference planner and speaker for the American Bankers Association conference in various roles since 2010. Jeff also served on the 2014-15 board of Mental Health America of Colorado.  Jeff earned his MBA at University of Nebraska and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle, WA.

Pamela Christian, Ph.D.

Los Angeles, CA
Educator

Pamela Christian currently serves as the Director of the E3 Initiative at the Los Angeles County Metro Transportation Authority. Prior to this role, she spent more than a dozen years in higher education, at Biola University as Vice Provost and at Azusa Pacific University, as a Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership and then as Associate Provost. Her professional portfolio includes experiences overseeing Academic Service Learning, Study Abroad, Diversity Planning and Assessment, the McNair Scholars Program, and Residence Life. She participated in the Harvard Institute in Management and Leadership, and as a fellow with the American Council of Education. Dr. Christian’s ministry work includes overseeing the Christian Education Department at the Centre at Highland, Church of God, and providing leadership for several small groups within her home. She led student mission teams and taught courses in Ghana and South Africa.

Kimberly Laydon, Secretary

Denver, CO
MOPS Mom/Philanthropist

As Associate Director of the Lewan Family Foundation, Kimberly has a heart for philanthropy and helping her family to wisely steward their funds. Kim led one of the largest MOPS groups in the nation, serves on the Parent Connection team at Cherry Hills Christian School, and serves as a Board member of Denver Cru Campus Ministry. Kimberly is a strong advocate for mothers and can speak to current parenting culture.

Nichole Tautz, Vice Chair

Denver, CO
Public Relations/Philanthropist

A former MOPS leader, Nichole Tautz, is the co-owner of Tecra Tools, Inc., in Denver, Colorado, and has worked alongside her husband for over twenty-five years. She has also been a Bible Study leader, event planner and deeply involved in philanthropic events in her community including; Denver LYFT, MOPS International, JDRF, Project Cure and Mile High Academy, serving four years on the school board and leading development projects. Nichole has served as an administrator and clinic trainer for international, medical missions and is currently serving on the prayer ministry at her church, Newday Christian. A passionate connector, she has traveled to twenty-three countries and encourages organizations that each person has something to offer the Kingdom of God.

Yvette Santana

Women’s Discipleship Coordinator

Yvette Santana has served the Lord and the church since her youth. Her passions are education and equipping women to ensure that all have an equal opportunity to fulfill their dreams and live up to their God-given potential. She holds a Masters degree in Educational Psychology and a Bachelor degree in Sociology. She served as a Guidance Counselor in a K-12 urban school setting, working specifically with at-risk youth. She has served in ministry together with her husband for over 29 years as Evangelists, Youth and Education directors, Evangelism Directors, and Lead Pastors, where they oversaw the rebranding- revitalization of two congregations. Currently, she serves as Women’s Discipleship Coordinator for the Church of God SW Region as well as Chief Women’s Ministries Coordinator for the NHCLC.

Cathy Roberts, M.Ed, NCC, ACC

Colorado Springs, CO
Women’s Ministries/Global Learning

Cathy Roberts is a coach, counselor, trainer and encourager. She spent time in the corporate world leading a global training organization and is currently a leadership coach. She has been involved in women’s ministry leadership for many years and often speaks for women’s retreats and events. She directed Women’s Ministries and Equipping Ministries at Tri-Lakes Chapel in Monument, CO for 13 years, overseeing the MOPS groups there. She is a faculty associate for the masters in counseling program at Regis University. She and her husband, Rick, work with Member Care at Greater Europe Mission. Cathy has spent extended time out of the country serving in hands-on mission experiences, teaching, equipping and encouraging missionaries. She has done coaching, counseling and staff development for both non-profit and secular organizations around the world and has a heart for equipping global women.

Ed Ollie, JR, M.PA

Chicago, IL
Pastor

Currently the campus pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel-The Cathedral in downtown, Chicago, Ed has been the pastor for a variety of church and para-church groups over his career and is a passionate advocate for multi-cultural evangelism. He was the Associate Regional Director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA for 14 years as well as chaplain for the Miami Hurricanes football team, and in those roles a frequent speaker to thousands of young adults and parents from all nationalities and backgrounds. In 2006, Ed was accepted into the National Urban Fellows Program, obtaining a Masters of Public Administration, with honors, and working in county government in Seattle, Washington, simultaneously with his ministry work. While in Seattle, he was a speechwriter, helped shaped policy, and participated in numerous civic activities. Following his masters degree, he was named Director of Development and Alumni Relations at University of Michigan. Returning to church leadership in 2011, Ed served as the Director of Discipleship and Leadership Development at NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Michigan, for 2 years before accepting the role of Senior Associate Pastor of Hermitage Hills Baptist Church in Nashville in 2013.

Keith McVaney

Denver, CO
Urban Outreach

Keith is the Education Director for Save Our Youth of Denver, CO, which advocates for teens in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. He has been supporting at risk youth in the Denver metro area, educationally, spiritually, and emotionally for the past 12 years. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Denver Dream Center. God’s calling for Keith’s life is to help direct those in need to the resources and support available.

Jeanne McMains, J.D.

Atlanta, GA
National Christian Foundation

Jeanne is Vice President of Gift Planning for The National Christian Foundation, providing legal expertise for high-net-worth individuals who want to direct their charitable giving through NCF. Jeanne has practiced law for over 20 years, working closely with a variety of non-profit organizations and philanthropy at many levels.

Yvette Maher

Colorado Springs, CO
Women’s Ministries

Yvette Maher is the Chief Development Officer for DreamCenters of Colorado Springs. Prior positions include Executive Pastor at New Life Church overseeing Children’s, Community, & Women’s Ministries, and Sr. Communications Specialist at Focus on the Family. In her 21 years there, Yvette authored many articles for Focus on the Family magazines and appeared frequently on the daily broadcast, Weekend Magazine and as host for the live weekly webcast Your Family Live! She is an author and frequent speaker at women’s conferences and retreats around the globe. Her many years on church and ministry staffs give Yvette valuable insight and a heightened sensitivity to the many challenges people face in today’s society. Yvette loves encouraging people to value their God-given design and to impact their homes, communities and the world for Christ.

Makiko Harrison, Ph.D.

McLean, VA
Economist

Makiko served as a Senior Economist at the World Bank from 2001-07, leaving that position when her daughters were born. She has held MOPS leadership positions at McLean Presbyterian Church and hosts/leads Bible studies and prayer groups. She has volunteered or served as a board member at the Romanian Christian Enterprises, International Justice Mission, the Cornerstone Schools of Washington DC, Sakura Academy (a Japanese preschool) the Langley School in McLean Virginia, and Supporting Child Caregivers, a nonprofit that trains infant- caregivers in developing countries. Makiko is also passionate about the Gospel movement in Tokyo where her family lives, and supports Redeemer City to City initiatives there.

Greg Bowlin, Treasurer

Aurora, CO
Business Strategist

Greg is the owner of Strategia Global, a firm devoted to assisting businesses formulate and implement winning strategies and business plans and serves as chief strategist and international business consultant for Real World Solutions, a cultural competency skills training organization. He was formerly an executive of The Boeing Company, having served as senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen, an aviation information company. Greg spent more than 25 years in international business and has a unique ability and passion for working with diverse nationalities and cultures. He is also the board treasurer for the Center for Teaching International Relations, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring tomorrow’s global leaders by providing specific global education to middle and high school students.

Catherine Penshorn, M.Ed., Chair

San Antonio, TX
Women’s Ministries

Cathy has been a lay leader in women’s and children’s ministries for over 30 years. She has held many roles within MOPS, including local coordinator, speaker, mentor mom, author and MomCon presenter. She facilitated the development of the original version of Bible Basics 101 for MOPS in 2002 and the update in 2014. Her writing and event management experience from her career in public relations and her training in education administration provides a foundation for her ongoing participation in various community leadership roles.

Sherri Crandall, Vice President of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience

Sherri Crandall is the Vice President of Global Ministries and Leadership Experience. Prior to being on staff with MOPS, she was the Director of Women’s Ministry at Mission Hills Church in Denver, Colorado for 10 years. She has also been a MOPS volunteer for the past 23 years.

Sherri is also a blogger and speaker for women’s events across the country and internationally, encouraging women to live life to the fullest. She loves to garden, read historical fiction, play tennis and most of all hang out with her family and friends, especially in the Rocky Mountains.

Sherri lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado with her husband, Rusty, their four kids and two dogs.

Deidre Hamilton, Director of Development

Deidre Hamilton is the Director of Development and is passionate about stewarding donor generosity to enrich and empower moms around the world. She has worked in nonprofit programming and development over the past 10 years and holds a master’s degree from the University of Denver in Philanthropic Leadership and Nonprofit Management and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana.

Outside of work, Deidre’s perfect day involves running on a trail, drinking a latte with her husband, and playing hide-and-seek with her son.