board of directors
2020 belong international board of directors
founders
Christal Hillstead | Co-Founder, Board of Directors President
Christal graduated from Seattle University School of Law (formerly University of Puget Sound School of Law) with a Juris Doctorate degree, and from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. She worked as a District Counsel attorney with the U.S. Treasury Department, handling cases before the U.S. Tax Court. She has also worked in private practice as an estate planning attorney, and currently has a solo practice drafting estate plans for individuals, couples, and families with children. Christal has a passion for youth to see each other, learn about each other, and grow a love for each other.
Emma Hillstead | Co-Founder, Social Media Committee Chair
Emma is a junior at George Fox University, majoring in International Studies with a minor in Peace Studies. She volunteers with local organizations, including an assisted living facility and a homeless shelter. Emma visited Namibia as a youth representative of the Southwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in Spring 2015, and her primary passion is to promote compassion, understanding, justice, and peace both in her own community and internationally.
social media committee
Maren Schwaerzler
Maren is a senior at George Fox University. She has competed in high school and club volleyball, and serves as a youth group leader for her church. Maren is actively engaged in social media, including writing her own blog and running her own photography business, and is moved to encourage youth to gain knowledge of and love for each other.
community connections
Cheryl Reid-Simons | Community Connections Committee Chair
Cheryl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Mills College, and also attended the Journalism Graduate Program of University of Maryland College Park. She has worked as a reporter for The (Tacoma) News Tribune, as a Public Information Officer for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, and currently authors articles for university and other publications as a freelance writer. Cheryl is an avid volunteer in her local church and school communities, and sees the building of understanding and relationships between both local and global youth as a necessity in the promotion of peace.
board
Jon R. Hillstead | Vice-President
Jon has over 20 years of experience as a software developer, and is currently employed as a Senior Software Engineer with Jack Henry and Associates, a company providing financial processing to thousands of financial institutions across the United States. He has previously been employed as a software developer with financial institutions, such as Wells Fargo, Chase, and Washington Mutual. Jon previously studied music at Pacific Lutheran University, and has served as a music leader in various community roles over many years. As a singer-songwriter, Jon has a passion for connecting people through music.
Ron Kempe | Secretary
Ron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Augustana College (Illinois) and a Masters of Divinity degree from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He is a retired Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) pastor, having served several congregations, including Peace Lutheran Church in Puyallup, Washington for 25 years. He has previously served on and as secretary for the Board of Directors for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity and currently chairs the Board of Governors for Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community. Ron has previously lived and worked overseas in Malaysia, volunteered internationally with Habitat for Humanity Global Village, and led the Southwest Washington Synod of the ELCA visit to Namibia in Spring 2015. He is particularly interested in using technology to connect youth around the world.