KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Jonathan Currie

Jonathan Currie is the National Organizer with Interfaith Worker
Justice, an organization committed to mobilizing people from diverse
faith traditions in support of low-wage workers and their efforts to
secure justice for themselves and their families. Most recently,
Jonathan and his colleagues have been coordinating efforts among faith communities in different regions of the country to secure national labor law reform and to address the rapidly increasing problem of wage theft
in our country. Jonathan studied theology and literature at Boston College prior to taking a position with the United Mine Workers as a union organizer. He subsequently served as an organizer for a healthcare workers' union in Boston. He joined Interfaith Worker Justice in 2008.

Lauren Gaffey is a member of St. Andrew Parish on the north side. Originally from southern California, she braved the frigid Midwestern winters to go to school. She is a Notre Dame grad with a degree in Political Science and Theology and a Loyola University alum with a 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 time with fabulous young adults who live out their faith every day. Lauren, her husband Jim, and their new son Mikey live in Roscoe Village with their Siamese cat. Lauren also enjoys going to the beach, reading, and spending time with friends.

Steve Ruppert is a native of Maryland but moved to Chicago 15 years ago to embark on a year long commitment as an Amate House volunteer.  His time in Chicago has changed him greatly, including enlightening him to the joys of being a White Sox fan and switching him from a career in civil engineering to social work.  After getting a masters in social work from the University of Chicago he now works with adults who have mental illnesses.  He is currently living with his wife Kathleen in Rogers park.

Kyle Schreiner is a Cincinnati native who came to Chicago to pursue a Master of Divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union.  He now studies part-time while working with the Peacebuilders Initiative, a youth ministry program based at CTU that helps form high schoolers to be prophetic voices for justice.  Prior to his arrival in the Windy City, Kyle spent a year interning at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, Ohio designing and facilitating retreats for junior-high and high-school students.  When not in the office or catching up on class work, you can find him running, preserving nature, or spending time with his wife Lori in their South Loop home.

Megan Sherrier is from Richmond, Virginia. She received dual Bachelors of Arts degrees in History and International Studies: World Politics and Diplomacy. During this time, she had the opportunity to develop and implement an education program for streetchildren in Jaipur, India through I-India, a local non-profit agency. After college, she completed the Teach For America program working as an eighth grade teacher in rural, North Carolina and now is currently a graduate student at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Having spent time working with youth in Richmond, North Carolina, and India, she is passionate about youth development and educational equity across the country and globe. She also is an avid athlete, having played and coached basketball and field hockey, and currently enjoys running road races.

Come back soon to meet the rest of the team!