Mae Helen Jackson currently serves as the Director for Young Adults in Global Mission. A life-long Lutheran, she has had the pleasure of working for the ELCA in an official capacity since 2017. She was a YAGM herself, serving in the Southern Africa program in 2014-15. Working with young adults is her way of living out her faith and she is so excited to accompany you on this journey. She is the mom of an awesome 4 year old and loves astrology and all things Marvel. She is currently on sabbatical through December 6.

Email: maehelen.jackson@elca.org

Brooke Helfers (she/her) did not do YAGM but loves hearing stories from alum of the program and working with the new cohorts each year! In her free time, she loves to read, go to concerts, and scout out vintage vinyls at thrift shops. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her cat Johnny who both happen to be Aries.

Email: brooke.helfers@elca.org

Kayla Zopfi recently joined the Young Adult Communities team as the Young Adult Network Coordinator! This, basically, means that they get paid to make friends and scheme about how to break down silos. Kayla is passionate about storytelling, equipping and empowering people to use their voices, and, as a Word & Service candidate at Wartburg Theological Seminary, talking about what deacons do. Outside (and inside) of work, Kayla loves to chat about politics, enneagram, and podcasts, and can almost always be found at a coffeeshop. 

Email: kayla.zopfi@elca.org 

Daniel Kirschbaum is a strategic dreamer, a board game player, and finds joy in being fiercely present. They love to be in and near the water and hates all comedy. Daniel likes to create charcuterie tables and is afraid of cranes (the bird). They serve as the Senior Director for Young Adult Communities and as a young adult representative of North America to the Global Young Reformers Steering committee partnered with the Lutheran World Federation.  In his spare time, he walks alongside several congregations as they reimagine and reshape faith community. 

Email: daniel.kirschbaum@elca.org

Hi friends, I’m Ryan Barnhouse (he/him)! I served as a YAGM in the UK 2022-23 and then worked as a Short-Term Recruiter during the fall of 2023 - so you may remember me from your YAGM orientation. I currently live in Maryland where I work in behavioral health with a local non-profit. I’m an avid birdwatcher, amateur gardener, and wanna-be trail runner. I’m looking forward to seeing you all again! 

Gabrielle Irle (they/she) is St Olaf grad and former music educator who accidentally fell into Lutheran community and then never left. They are a YAGM alum of the U.K. 2022-23 and now work for Lutherans Restoring Creation. In her free time, Gabrielle likes to play bassoon, DnD and plan her aspirational permaculture food forest.

Cetera (she/her) is a professional photographer, activist, and YAGM alum who served in Palestine (22-23). Cetera is dedicated to using her art to make a difference in the world by sharing the stories of different communities and cultures; she has hosted several photo exhibits around collective liberation with an emphasis on Palestinian resilience and the parallels to Black-American experiences. Jacobs is enrolled at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, where she was selected to join the inaugural class for their Racial Justice and Faith certificate program. She also has an extensive creative and business background in the entertainment industry. Cetera currently resides in Winston-Salem where she serves as the Communications & Storytelling fellow at The Dwelling.

Jenna Leazott is a YAGM alumni (Mexico 18-19) and former Manager for Young Adult Networks & Alumni Engagement. She is passionate about young adult ministry, discernment, faith-based justice work, spreadsheets, and a good book. She currently works at the National Living Donor Assistance Center helping reduce financial barriers to living organ donation. She lives north of Orlando, FL with her partner and their two cats, Oliver and Beanbag. 

Sharei Green (she/her) is a Womanist theologian currently pursuing her MDiv at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.  Sitting at the intersection of fat, Black, queer and neuro-spicy, Sharei has committed herself to creating spaces of community healing and sabbath, especially for Black women/ femmes and all their intersections. She is the co-author of God’s Holy Darkness, a children’s book that deconstruct anti-Blackness in Christian theology by celebrating instances in the story of God’s people when darkness, blackness, and night are beautiful, good, and holy.

Room 117

Phone number: 312-388-4746

Percy Mercer (He/Him/His) has a degree in Print/Digital Journalism from the University of Central Florida and has worked as a writing center coordinator and reporter since graduating in 2019. He is currently completing a second degree in art history at UCF and lives in Sanford, FL with his partner and two cats.