Andrew G. Steele

As Chief Development and Mobilization Officer, Andrew G. Steele leads a dynamic team responsible for all revenue generation, mobilization efforts and church and faith relations. Prior to joining LIRS, Andrew was the Assistant Vice President for Advancement & Director of Campaigns at his alma mater, Wittenberg University. Before serving in that capacity, Andrew was the Director for Global Mission Funding at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). An avid traveler, Andrew annually returns to South Africa and Lesotho where he once lived and co-founded BLOOM Africa, a 501(c)3 organization. When not 30,000 feet up, Andrew can be found hiking, golfing, or at a nearby farmer’s market.

Beth Nelson Chase

Specialty: Major Donor relations; Planned Giving; Major Donor Event Friend and Fundraising; Public Speaking

Phone: 815-979-4628

“I am a performing artist in piano and choral direction and co-winemaker with my husband, John, at Cedar Creek Vines in Northern IL.”

Bethany Barkley

Bethany Barkley has built her career in the humanitarian relief and development field for over a decade with a special focus in donor care and retention. During that time she is honored to be a part of this life transforming work made possible by connecting individuals, non-profits, corporations and foundations with projects and causes that meet their strategic priorities. One of the reasons she is excited to be at LIRS is the mission to see all migrants and refugees be protected, embraced and empowered in a world of just and welcoming communities. Her happy place is by any body of water, preferably with a book and a really good pastry or on a plane headed to explore somewhere new. She and her family reside in Baltimore City.

Betsabe Rosas

My name is Betsabe (BETS-ahb-EE). I was born and raised in Florida. I am currently a graduate student at American University getting my Master’s degree in justice, Law, and Criminology. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work in a field that I am passionate about. As I was growing up, I witnessed the daily challenges my parents faced as newcomers to a country that was unknown to them. Now, 22 years later, I find great fulfillment in assisting others and cherishing every moment of it.

Bradley Stefan

Specialty: Constituent profiling and wealth analysis

“I currently live in Towson and have worked in the Baltimore area most of my life. I’ve been with LIRS since 2018 and absolutely love having a career devoted to helping the less fortunate!”

Dan Beirne

Dan Beirne (he/him/his) is the new Director for Mobilization and Faith Relations at LIRS. He and his spouse, Asha, live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have two young boys – a 6 months old, and a 3 year old. Dan studied Theology at Valparaiso University, and served for two years in El Salvador through ELCA Global Mission as his first job out of college. There, he translated for delegations and taught English to staff and children. Since then, Dan has worked as a Youth Director, a Mission Developer for the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the ELCA, a Manager for Donor Relations at the ELCA Churchwide offices and most recently as the Program Director for Young Adults in Global Mission. Across his entire career, Dan has had a passion for creating authentic spaces to encounter God and one another. In 2021, he graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago with his Masters in Divinity, Word & Sacrament. Outside of work Dan is a folk musician, a woodworker, and runs a small sourdough bakery out of his home. Dan is thrilled to join LIRS’ sacred work of welcome.

Dawn Clark

Based in Houston, TX, Dawn joins LIRS with a background in nonprofit event services and donations management. She believes every role is a customer service role and practices that philosophy whether interacting with donors, clients, colleagues, or the leadership team.

Hannah Freedberg

Hannah has spent nearly two decades connecting powerful organizations with bold funders in order to build a better world. She believes that fundraising at its best is a radical act which more justly allocates the resources of our planet and its people in order to ensure the health and well-being of all. She came to fundraising from the world of environmental and farm-based education and spent many years as a camp director and counselor. Hannah finds joy in sharing stories, music, play, good food, meaningful work, and outdoor exploration with family and friends.

Jon Buuck

Jon joined the Development and Mobilization team as a Senior Philanthropic Advisor in 2022. Prior to joining LIRS, Jon was a Director of Philanthropic Engagement at Corus International and previously worked for The James Company leading annual stewardship and capital campaigns for congregations and nonprofit organizations. Jon is an ELCA pastor and served four congregations in North Dakota, Ohio, and Minnesota. Jon volunteered leading monthly worship services for several years at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee and has served on state and local boards of Lutheran Campus Ministry.

Kaitlyn Oberhaus

I have lived in Maryland all my life and am very grateful to have a career where I can help people on a large scale doing work I am passionate about. I enjoy training dogs, volunteering at my dog shelter, watching horror movies, and traveling abroad every chance I get!

Karla Leitzman

Karla comes to LIRS with nearly a decade of fundraising experience, most recently at her alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College, where she managed a portfolio of donors and coordinated all reunion giving initiatives. During her time at Gustavus, Karla is particularly proud of significant increases to endowed scholarships, making a liberal arts education more accessible for incoming students. Karla is currently earning her Master of Divinity with a focus in Justice and Reconciliation at Luther Seminary, and If you see her consuming copious amounts of Nerds and Diet Coke. you’ll know she’s working on finals. Karla has a deep love for the ELCA and its ministry of accompaniment and service, and she is eager to live into these vocational callings at LIRS. When not working, Karla is an avid reader and traveler, and she loves enjoying outdoor activities all year round, namely boating in the summer and downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter. Karla lives in St. Paul, MN.

Kendra Hernandez

Specialty: Administrative support and networking

“Native to Southern New Mexico, I love hiking, spending time in the sun, and ample amounts of coffee. I enjoy hearing other people’s unique stories as well as serving the communities around us.”

Leah Johnson

I love building connections with people and growing relationships. In my spare time, you’ll find me planning out my next trip abroad.

Nassir Ahmad

Former Combat Interpreter for the US military in Afghanistan.

Nathan M. Lundgren

Nathan M. Lundgren serves as Leadership Giving Officer for LIRS. Nathan comes with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Fuller Theological Seminary and a decade of engaging individuals and faith communities to welcome our newest neighbors. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two daughter.

Rev. Eric C. Shafer

The Rev. Eric C. Shafer, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service’s “Pastor-in-Residence.” He recently retired after more than eight years as Senior Pastor at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. There he helped open the Students4Students Shelter at Mt. Olive, the first shelter for homeless college students in the USA. His previous positions include Senior Vice President for Odyssey Networks in New York City and Director of Communion for the ELCA in Chicago. Shafer has taught in South Africa and Madagascar and made multiple trips to Jerusalem and the West Bank. He is the host of the YouTube program Hope Matters.

Ruth Famini

Specialty: Government funding proposals

“A transplanted New Yorker, I now call Maryland my home. I love music, cats, and horses…and of course my adorable grandchildren!”

Shanshan Ni

“Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Armies.”

Zechariah 4:6

Valerie Kurka

 Specialty: Donor Engagement, Mid-level giving, Learning

More than ten years in nonprofit organizations, working with refugees and asylees, living abroad, and learning from others inform my contributions to this creative team! I am inspired everyday by those LIRS serves.

Zarmina Hamidi

“The first movie I watched in the US was ‘The Girl Who Spelled Freedom,’ in 3^rd grade: my first month of school in America. I did not win a spelling bee (don’t I wish!) – my life resonated so much with Linn’s – we were refugees, we struggled, but we made it! It took 33 years for me to realize that I could be a voice for, an advocate for, and a helping hand to those who are viewed as a threat to our social, economic and political systems.”