Kaley O'Donnell

she/her

UK 2014-2015

Kaley graduated from Ohio University in 2012 with a degree in Sociology. She then served in the YAGM program in the UK from 2014-2015. After returning home, she worked as a preschool teacher and then went on to graduate school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary. Kaley practiced as a licensed counselor for 2 years before working at her current job as a Programming and Events Coordinator. Much of her work now is due to the insights she gained during her YAGM year where she learned of her love of working with young kids, working in a church setting, and recognizing her call to help others better understand themselves and their spiritual gifts. In addition, Kaley now holds a dual certification in Life Coaching and Emotional Intelligence Coaching and works with a business called Prepare to be Pursued where she helps women learn about themselves and how to overcome obstacles to make lasting connections. Kaley has two cats name Zoe and Nora. She is an avid coffee drinker, even after living a year in the land of tea. She enjoys hiking, yoga, travling, and all things Star Wars. 

Kendra Hernandez
she/her
khernandez@lirs.org

Central Europe 2019 - 2020

A New Mexico native and lifelong Lutheran, Kendra Rose Hernandez (she/her) served as a Young Adult in Global Mission in Central Europe in 2019-2020, spending days with English students, her Hungarian host family, and Phiren Amenca – a nonprofit serving the Roma population in Central and Eastern Europe. She serves as Corporate Giving Specialist at Global Refuge (formerly LIRS), is a member of the Board of Directors for the Association for Christian Fundraising, and is a founding board member of Asylum Pride House in Philadelphia, which provides housing and support to LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. She lives in Baltimore, MD with her cat, Ophelia, and enjoys rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking.

Quentin Bernhard
he/him

Senegal 2022-2023

Quentin Bernhard is the 2023-2024 ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow in Pennsylvania, serving with the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa). The Hunger Advocacy Fellowship program provides young adults with a year-long experience serving with ELCA Advocacy offices throughout the US. Bernhard served with the ELCA's YAGM program in Senegal from 2022-2023. He grew up in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, and recently returned from a year in Yeumbeul Bene Baraque, Senegal. Bernhard has worked with community and advocacy organizations including the Allentown School District Foundation, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, the Climate Action Campaign, Conservation Voters of PA, Common Energy, and Action Together NEPA. He is currently a member of New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Tripoli, PA. 

Harper Bolz-Weber
she/her

Jerusalem & the West Bank 2022-2023

Harper Bolz-Weber (she/they) is a YAGM alum of the Jerusalem and the West Bank 2022-2023 cohort. She is originally from Denver, Colorado, and has returned there post-service to spend more time with her family. A lifelong Lutheran (and pastor's kid x2), Harper has spent many summers at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in southern Colorado and Holden Village in Washington. They graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology, then spent a year of service in an intentional community through Urban Servant Corps in Denver before starting their year abroad. These days you can find Harper working at the Denver Zoo, dancing various Black vernacular dances such as Lindy Hop and Blues, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and enjoying Colorado's beautfiul nature. 

Haley Toresdahl
she/her

Cambodia 2015-2016

Haley Toresdahl (she/her) served in the inaugural YAGM Cambodia country program in 2015-2016. She spent her YAGM year with a Cambodian NGO, Life with Dignity, and taught English at nearby primary and secondary schools. Looking for a way to put lessons into practice post-YAGM, Haley moved to Chicago to work with ELCA World Hunger at the Churchwide Office. She later led grantmaking practices and grants management technology across ELCA programs. Ready for a career transition, Haley left work with the ELCA to pursue graduate school for public policy. She is now a social and fiscal policy practitioner and loves wonking out on policy design and research. She enjoys baking, collecting new craft hobbies (currently into crochet, garment making, quilting), puzzling, and exploring new places fueled by coffee and sweet treats. Haley has a B.A. in Political Science from Roanoke College and Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. 

Henry Elling
he/him

Cambodia 2017-2018

Henry loves long walks on the beach and getting lost in someone's eyes...oh wait this isn't a dating profile. I participated in YAGM from 2017-2018 and was placed in Cambodia. I currently live in Madison, WI and work as a bartender full time and as an usher part time for a fine arts center. Basically people pay me to watch Broadway shows. In my free time, I run when the ground isn't frozen and also love exploring antique malls. One fun fact about myself is that I ran through a glass door when I was younger and only cut myself on one piece of the glass. 

Sarah Weaver
she/her

Senegal 2019-2020

Sarah Weaver (she/her) works as an Innovation Partner for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She lives in Denver, Colorado on the stolen lands of the Cheyenne, Ute, and Arapahoe nations. Originally from Texas, Sarah received a degree in Choral Music Education from Baylor University. A large part of her identity was formed through working at 3 Lutheran Outdoor Ministry camps and volunteering for a year in Senegal through the Young Adults in Global Mission program. She also worked at the ELCA Churchwide Office as the Special Projects Coordinator for Young Adult Ministry, specializing in the development and implementation of new programs. Sarah is passionate about innovation, equipping and empowering young people, and proclaiming justice in the church. In her free time you'll find her hiking, playing board games, embroidering, singing, and spending time with her partner and dog.

Bekah Boatwright
she/her

Central Europe '16-17

Bekah spent her YAGM year in Central Europe, more specifically in  Nyíregyháza, Hungary, where she spent time working alongside the Roma College Program at Nyíregyháza University, volunteering at the ÉLIM Evangélikus Szeretetotthon (a residential home for women with developmental delays and physical disabilities), and teaching elementary school children English through music. Bekah graduated from Clemson University with a Performing Arts Degree, and from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. She now serves as Pastor and Program Director at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp in Northern Colorado. She lives in Loveland, Colorado with her spouse and best friend, Jonathan, their spunky toddler, Rivers, and their two dogs, Bob & Nyx, the best of buddies.