Staff

Pamela Coster
Executive Director

Pam has worked in ministry for over fifteen years. Before coming to Charis she was president of Avanza Partners, a consulting firm specializing in adult faith formation and leadership development. Pam was previously Director of Faith Formation at Ss. Faith, Hope & Charity parish in Winnetka, IL.  Prior to her work for the Church, she was in the banking field.  Ms. Coster is a member of the boards of Loyola Press and Catholics on Call.  She holds a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola University Chicago and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Becky Eldredge
Partner Program Coordinator

Becky is originally from Baton Rouge, LA where she worked in youth, young adult, and adult faith formation in the Diocese of Baton Rouge for ten years before moving to Athens, GA.  Becky formed partnerships with Charis while working for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, and currently at the University of Georgia Catholic Center.  Her background is in adult faith formation and retreat ministry, and she is an advocate for adults in their 20's & 30's. She holds a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans, and she is the author of the blog Everything Is Holy Now.

Lauren Gaffey
Program Coordinator

Lauren originally hails from Southern California where she spent her formative years soaking up the sun. She got her first taste of ministry in between football games while at the University of Notre Dame. After receiving her B.A. in Political Science and Theology, she attended the Institute for Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago and completed her M.A. in Pastoral Studies. Not quite ready to leave the academic environment after graduating, she spent four years as a college campus minister before joining Charis Ministries as the Program Coordinator. Lauren loves being able to spend her days with fabulous young adults who live out their faith every day.

Jesse Keane
Assistant Program Coordinator

After graduating from Marlboro College in Vermont, Jesse moved to Alaska, where he worked for a local newspaper. In 2008 Jesse joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and served at the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, MT, working with Native American children. As a member of the JVC-Magis program at Loyola University Chicago, he will spend three years working toward his Master of Divinity degree at Loyola University Chicago while serving at Charis Ministries.

Megan Kennedy-Farrell
Development Coordinator
 
After doing some consulting work with Charis Ministries, Megan is happy to “officially” join the staff as the Development Coordinator. Megan received her Masters degree in Religious Education from the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University. She brings 15 years of valuable experience in youth and young adult ministry and administration. Her past roles have included volunteering at Nazareth Farm in West Virginia, campus ministry at Loyola University Chicago, and serving as Director of the Peacebuilders Initiative at Catholic Theological Union. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Witness for Peace. She is excited by the opportunity to support Charis’ vibrant ministry to young adults.

Norm Matson
Business Manager

Norm comes to Charis Ministries from a career in financial consultingand more recently as a consultant and interim CFO at several Chicago area not-for-profits. During his part-time hours at Charis Ministries, he handles human resources and looks after the finances and financial reporting. After a career that took him from Chicago to Columbus, Ohio to Dallas, Texas to London, he is back in Chicago where he and his wife enjoy theater, music, and their grandchildren.

 

Michale Noser
Military Partner Coordinator

Michael holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and an M.A. in Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago.  Michael served as an active duty Naval officer for nearly seven years, including assignments in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Persian Gulf.  In addition to his work with Charis, Michael is a mortgage banker at Chicago Bancorp.  He has also been actively engaged in the Ignatian Spirituality Project, offering retreats to those struggling with homelessness and addiction.  Michael is a member and former chair of the board of the Br. David Darst Center for Justice and Peace, Spirituality and Education, and also serves as a Trustee to the State Employees’ Retirement System of Illinois.

Stephanie Scherra
Communications Coordinator

Stephanie is originally from Cincinnati where she grew her roots attending Catholic school through highschool. After studying Public Relations in undergrad, she moved to Chicago to study Integrated Marketing Communications at Loyola University's Graduate School of Business. After spending 4 years doing fundraising event planning for local non-profits, Stephanie is thrilled to join the Charis team! She is excited to put her Catholic education to use, helping to inspire other young adults to explore their faith and relationship with God.