The Board of Directors is ELM’s volunteer governing body.  There are 8 members, four of whom are officers (Co-chairs (2), Secretary, and Treasurer).  Board members serve three-year terms.  The Board of Directors meets by video chat 12 times per year. Board member terms begin and end on March 1. We are always interested in knowing about people who are passionate about ELM and who would like to enrich an organizational culture rooted in faith, grounded in radical love and hospitality, clear with purpose, dependent on collaboration, and transparent in motives. We celebrate difference and delight in the strength of diverse perspectives. If you would like to learn more about serving on the ELM Board of Directors, please contact info@elm.org. 

Board of Directors

Mycah McNett (Board Co-Chair) (Other Co-Chair seat currently vacant)

Mycah McNett (she/her) is a life-long Lutheran who hails from both Washingtons: the State and the DC Area. Being a Queer Lutheran is a major part of Mycah’s identity, as is being a huge nerd. Mycah met her spouse by playing Pokemon Go and is constantly making Lord of the Rings and tabletop RPG references in conversation. Mycah is a 2023 graduate of United Lutheran Seminary and is ordained in the ELCA. Mycah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from James Madison University, specializing in environmental and evolutionary fields as well as anthropology. After college, Mycah served as a Young Adult in Global Mission through the ELCA in Manchester, UK. Before attending seminary, Mycah served as a lay staff member in a Lutheran congregation where she worked with communication, youth, and young adult ministries. Currently, Mycah is located just outside Philadelphia, PA with her spouse, Alyssa, and three cats: Clem, Clio, and Minnie.

Christopher Vergara

Christopher Vergara, grew up in a charismatic non-denominational Spanish Language church in New York City. Having gone to parochial school his entire life, as having a Christian education was of the utmost importance to his single immigrant mother, he attended Martin Luther High School and then Valparaiso University where he was drawn into the Lutheran tradition. Returning to New York City to attend The Juilliard School, he became an active member of Saint Peter´s Church, where he has served as Parish Secretary, Vice-President and is the current President. At the Metropolitan New York Synod, he has served on the Synod Council, the Executive Committee, is Chair of the AMMPARO/Sanctuary Ministry, and was recently appointed to lead the synod’s Advocacy Taskforce. Most recently, Christopher helped organize the memorial and made the motion at the recent church-wide assembly to have the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declare itself a sanctuary denomination. Outside of his volunteer work, Christopher is a professional Costume Designer and a proud player of Gotham Knight’s Rugby Football Club.

Suzannah Porter

Suzannah (she/her) is a former Field Director for various congressional campaigns and political action committees and women’s advocacy organizations such as NOW and NARAL. Currently she is a member of the ELCA Delaware-Maryland Synod Council and worships at Dreams & Visions church in Baltimore Maryland. She currently consults on technology, live worship, database management and other technological needs of small faith communities. Suzannah is passionate about engaging laity, pounding pavements, and bringing awareness and understanding to issues surrounding ADHD and PTSD. She currently resides in Baltimore, MD with her beloved chosen family recovering from long-haul COVID. She really wants you to wear your mask.

Tom Gehring

Tom Gehring (He/They) is a pastor currently working as a chaplain in Metro Chicago providing spiritual care for individuals living with, or at risk for HIV. In their free time, Tom loves to DJ, spend time outside, play lots of games (both video and board), read excessively thick fantasy novels, and work out with his lovely gym community. Tom has served on ELM’s board of directors since October of ’23 and is honored to be a part of this ministry.

Bergen Nelson (They/Them)

Bergen Eickhoff (they/them) is a pastor, poet, and mercenary pianist living in Tacoma, Washington. They currently work in Children, Youth and Family ministry in Olympia, Washington, where they enjoy great Music and better coffee. They are bisexual and nonbinary, and love to be loud about both of those identities. They have been a member of Proclaim since 2021 and currently serve as the Proclaim Relator To the ELM Board. You can find their writings on their Substack pages (Standard) (Bible Rewrite Project). Go be Queer!

Treasurer-  Rev. Janet Katari (non-Board)

Rev. Janet Katari (she/her) pastors Christ Church, Lutheran, in San Francisco and holds a Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Most of her life’s work has been with churches and non-profits, although she started out as a chemist and strategy consultant. She leads the Mission Discipling Team of her Synod in nurturing new starts and congregational redevelopment. She lives in Berkeley with her partner Carrie and a rotating group of teenage and adult children and enjoys making music, playing board games, and going on adventures.