Speakers and Leaders
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson (she/her)
General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ
As the first woman and the first woman of African descent to serve as the leader of the UCC, Rev. Dr. Thompson has been a trailblazer and change maker long before she stepped into her current role. She has served on the national staff for 14 years as Minister for Racial Justice, Minsiter for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, and as the Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive for Global Ministries.
Learn more about Rev. Dr. Thompson here.
Rev. Shari Prestemon (she/her)
Acting Associate General Minister and Co-Executive of Global Ministries
Rev. Prestemon previously served as the Minnesota Conference UCC Conference Minister (2013-2023), as Executive Director at the UCC’s Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi (2000-2013), and as pastor to local UCC congregations in Wheaton, Illinois and Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Of her experiences Prestemon says, “I have personally witnessed the life-giving, life-changing power of our ministries in so many places and ways. What we do together as Church makes God’s love real in the world and has tremendous, inspiring impact. I feel incredibly blessed to be in a position where I can nurture and strengthen this amazing work.”
Learn more about Rev. Rev. Prestemon here.
Rebekah Bruesehoff (she/her)
Trans Activist and Marvel Superhero
Rebekah is an award-winning activist and author who is passionate about inclusion and authenticity. Her journey into public advocacy began at 10-years-old when a picture of her holding a sign at a rally went viral. She made a bold statement that transgender people aren’t scary, and she’s spent the last six years working with legislators, schools, businesses, and faith communities to build a more inclusive world. In 2018, she was the first openly transgender person to speak at an ELCA Youth Gathering. She is co-author of a A Kids Book about Being Inclusive and a contributor to Raising Kids Beyond the Binary. Rebekah inspires people of all ages and identities to show up fully as themselves and dare to make the world a better place.
Learn more about Rebekah here.
Rev. Dr. David Váquez-Levy (he/him)
President of Pacific School of Religion
Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. One of the UCC seminaries, PSR is a progressive, multidenominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually rooted leaders to work for the well-being of all. A committed pastor, a nationally recognized higher education and immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change. His innovations have led to increased access in theological education and leadership formation. Originally from Guatemala, Vásquez-Levy has lived in four countries, including working on refugee resettlement in Canada, and taught courses and led international study and service trips across the globe.
Learn more about Rev. Dr. Vásquez-Levy here.
Rev. Rae Chen Huang (she/her)
Senior Organizer, Housing Now CA
Rev. Rae Chen Huang is a Presbyterian (USA) pastor, Senior Organizer at Housing Now CA, a statewide housing justice coalition and a volunteer organizer with Black Lives Matter- LA and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE). She has a MDiv from Boston University- School of Theology and a MTh from Duke Divinity School. She lives in Los Angeles with her two children, Éowyn (11) and Scout (9).
Tyralucia (she/her)
& Music Mayhem
Singer, songwriter, and musician—Tyralucia has performed with greats such as Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Jackson Brown, Ray Charles and Slash from Guns and Roses all while still being in high school. She also starred in the first Apple iPod commercial. As a worship leader within the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) she has led the music for many events, including but not limited to Western States Youth Gathering (WYLE), Theoasis (SYC Synod), Synod Assembly (SWC Synod), ELCA Gathering, Extravaganza and more.
Learn more about Tyralucia here.
Pickle (she/her)
Drag Laureate of West Hollywood
Pickle is a live-singing, powerhouse host, entertainer, storyteller, and community activist. She values education, community, and humor. She has been performing in drag professionally for eight years and has collaborated with many people and organizations to bring drag into people's lives. A Los Angeles native, she received her BA in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. Pickle has focused on blending education initiatives into her drag work and runs the LA Chapter of Drag Story Hour.
Rev. Steve Jerbi (he/him)
National Director of Organizing for Mission Network & Minister of Christian Formation, Love and Justice
Rev. Steve Jerbi leads in communities by connecting faith, justice, and action. Pastor Steve is passionate about the intersection of racial, economic, and environmental justice. He offers training in racial justice work and faith-based community organizing. Youth ministry has been at the center of his congregational work and he loves cultivating experiences where faith comes to life – through worship, study, and play. Pastor Steve is also in formation with the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans.