Eric (DMin, MA) spans the two worlds of Theology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. He is an ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church and is a third-year PhD student in the I-O Psychology program at SPU. With his unique perspective, Eric's role in Pivot NW is to help congregations understand and manage the process of change as they innovate and engage with young adults. Eric lives in Issaquah with his wife Erin and daughter Skylar. He loves exploring the various cultural, scenic, and coffee options the PNW has to offer. Read more about Eric on his LinkedIn page.

Mackenzie is a second year Industrial-Organizational PhD student at Seattle Pacific University. She grew up in Snohomish, Washington and has stayed fairly close to home while in college and graduate school. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, where she also was a member of the volleyball team. As a part of the Data Team with Pivot NW, Mackenzie assists in the qualitative research process, survey design, and helps to measure Pivot's incredible impact. In her free time, she is probably spending time with family and friends or studying at a coffee shop. 

Kait Hemphill is a third-year PhD student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program at SPU. She grew up in the Midwest and attended Colorado State University for her undergraduate studies. Before graduate school, she worked as a project manager, product manager, and consultant. Her role at Pivot NW includes researching, designing, and facilitating workshops, developing surveys, analyzing data, strategic planning, and evaluating Pivot NW's impact. She is passionate about efficiency, change management, organizational culture, and leadership development. She lives in West Seattle with her husband Steve and dog Bosley. In her free time, she enjoys resistance training, cycling, exploring the PNW, and ice cream sandwiches. 

Martin Jimenez, MDiv came to work on this grant after almost a decade in administrative support at Fuller Seminary (Seattle) and a short ministry stint at University Presbyterian Church (Seattle). He is Certified Ready for Examination, Pending a Call in the PCUSA and splits time worshiping between Northminster Presbyterian Church and Sanctuary CRC. He lives in Greenwood with his wife Ali and his daughter Petra. He maintains his connection with his native California by rooting for CA sports teams and embraces the PNW by hiking with Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders fans.

Alex is a second-year PhD student in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University. Originally from the Chicago-area, he pastored churches around the country before joining the Pivot team. He has stepped in to help with the ethnography study and the Outcomes Survey. Alex lives in Renton with his wife Katey and their three children (Josiah, Sofia, & Madelyn) and their Sheepadoodle, Ole. He is an unapologetic/obnoxious Chicago sports fan.
Read more about Alex on his LinkedIn page.

Jeff Keuss, PhD is Professor of Christian Ministry, Theology, and Culture at Seattle Pacific University and is ordained PCUSA. He brings over 30 years of leadership and managerial experience in higher education, health care, and social services administration both in the US and UK to his various roles as a Professor, Director of the University Scholars Honors Program, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for Seattle Pacific Seminary. As seen in his $1.5 million grant acquisition from the Lilly Endowment for the development of Pivot NW, he is motivated to find and manage new revenue streams to continue the work of higher education that is both legacy driven and future facing.

Jennifer McCoy is a second year Masters student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology program at SPU. She grew up in Gower, MO and attended Northwest Missouri State University for her undergraduate studies in Organizational Communication. After working for a missions organization in Nashville, TN for five years, she is now excited to learn what it looks like to best support churches as they seek to understand the needs of young adults. She lives in the Green Lake neighborhood of Seattle and you can often find her with a cup of coffee in hand. Learn more about Jennifer on her LinkedIn profile.

Linda Montaño is in the second year of the PhD program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University. She earned her BA in Business Administration at Hope College and MA in Public Policy and Management from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. Prior to beginning the PhD program, she served as senior director of business operations and administration in international affairs at Ohio State where she worked on projects ranging from large-scale enterprise-wide systems change, to small team formation, to individual coaching and mentoring. Linda is excited to support Pivot NW with data analysis, survey administration, and appreciative inquiry.

Lauren Pattie, MAT has worked in theological education since 2015. She currently serves at both Seattle Pacific University as Church Communications Lead for Pivot NW and The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology as Executive Assistant. She is an active member at First Covenant Church on Capitol Hill, helping with worship and adult Sunday school, and preaching on occasion. She loves to stay active by exploring the Northwest's natural beauty and participating in Seattle's ultimate frisbee scene.