Leadership & Staff

Walter Kim became the president of the National Association of Evangelicals in January 2020. He previously served as a pastor at Boston’s historic Park Street Church and at churches in Vancouver, Canada and Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as a campus chaplain at Yale University. He preaches, writes and engages in collaborative leadership to connect the Bible to the intellectual and cultural issues of the day. He regularly teaches in conferences and classrooms; addresses faith concerns with elected officials and public institutions; and provides theological and cultural commentary to leading news outlets. He serves on the boards of Christianity Today and World Relief and consults with a wide range of organizations. Kim received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, his M.Div. from Regent College in Vancouver, and his B.A. from Northwestern University. 

Heather Gonzales, NAE vice president and chief operating officer, has served the NAE since 2005, most recently as association director. Previously, she worked for IRI, an international democracy promotion organization; Africa Inland Mission in Namibia; and several congressional offices. Gonzales holds degrees in history and business management from Huntington College and a Masters of Liberal Studies from Georgetown University.

Galen Carey, NAE vice president of government relations, is responsible for representing the NAE before Congress, the White House and the courts. He works to advance the approach and principles of the NAE document, “For the Health of the Nation.” He is also co-author with Leith Anderson of “Faith in the Voting Booth.” Before joining the NAE staff, Carey was a longtime employee of World Relief, the relief and development arm of the NAE, serving in Croatia, Mozambique, Kenya, Indonesia and Burundi. He received an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary.

Sarah Kropp Brown, NAE vice president of communications and marketing, provides strategic oversight to the organization’s communications, marketing and branding efforts. She also serves as the NAE public relations officer, editor of Evangelicals magazine and producer of Today’s Conversation podcast. She joined the NAE team in 2007, and has served as a board member of the Evangelical Press Association. Kropp Brown graduated with a journalism degree from John Brown University.

Chaplain Steven E. West, executive director of the NAE’s Evangelical Chaplains Commission, served as an active duty chaplain in the U.S. Air Force. He served in the Air Force and Army for 41 years, retiring from his distinguished career as senior chaplain for Joint Base Langley/Eustis. West is the author of “The Bronze Scar: Understanding How PTSD Feels to Help Victims and Those Who Support Them.” He is a graduate of University of Mobile, New Orleans Theological Seminary, Alabama Theological Seminary and the Department of Defense Joint Staff College.

Jennifer Haglof, senior director of projects and events, has served at the NAE since 2002. During this time, she has held numerous roles. She currently oversees the coordination of a variety of projects and also develops and manages NAE events including the Washington Briefing and Christian Student Leadership Conference. Haglof has a B.S. in government from Liberty University and J.D. from Regent University.

Brandon Doss is the associate endorser for the Evangelical Chaplains Commission. He is a founder and lead pastor at Cultivate Church (CultivateChurch.tv), a nondenominational multi-campus church in Shelby County, Alabama, planted in 2012. Doss received a B.A. in theology from Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama, and is currently pursuing an M.Div. from Rockbridge Seminary in Springfield, Missouri.

Steven Eng, NAE advocacy director, works with NAE leaders, constituents and others to help advance the principles of the NAE document, “For the Health of the Nation,” as they use their God-given influence to bless our nation. Eng has served for three decades as an ordained evangelical pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church. He received a degree in political science from St. Olaf College and a M.Div. degree from North Park Theological Seminary. 

Mekdes Haddis is an Ethiopian American who moved to the United States in 2003 to pursue her studies. She has a B.S. in communications from Liberty University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Columbia International University. For the past 10+ years Haddis has worked in several churches, building discipleship and outreach strategies that are holistic in their approach to include people on the margins. She’s the founder of Just Missions, an online community that elevates diaspora voices and equips western allies to become mutual partners for the work of the gospel. Haddis is the author of “A Just Mission: Laying Down Power and Embracing Mutuality.”

Toni Kim is the director of spiritual care for the National Association of Evangelicals. For 17 years, she was a minister at Park Street Church in downtown Boston. She received her B.S. from Yale University, and a master in Christian studies from Regent College. Kim is an advocate for educational equity and serves on the boards of Regent College and Abundant Life, a local Christian Community Development nonprofit. She is licensed with the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. 

Brian Kluth became national director of NAE Financial Health in 2016 after serving in the financial and generosity sector of the evangelical community for over 35 years. He was president of the Christian Stewardship Association for five years before becoming senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church of Colorado Springs in 2000. In 2009, the church commissioned him to become a full-time generosity minister. Kluth holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Trinity International University.

Terri Miller serves as NAE’s global church representative. She represents NAE at events and meetings related to the global church, offers mutual learning encouragement and support for its members, and develops relationships with key evangelical leaders. Miller also serves as a ReachGlobal Europe Area Leader. She has also served as a graduate resident advisor and admissions counselor at Wheaton College. Miller has a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and a master’s degree from Wheaton College Graduate School.

Chris Paulene is the accounting and membership services director of the National Association of Evangelicals. Prior to joining the NAE, he worked as a controller at Coleson Foods, Inc. and the admissions manager at Teen Mania Ministries. Paulene holds a B.S. from Auburn University at Montgomery.

Cullen Rodgers-Gates is the director of development and membership at the National Association of Evangelicals. Prior to joining the NAE team, Rodgers-Gates spent 20 years in cross-cultural ministry, higher education and nonprofit leadership, including six years as executive director at Congo Initiative USA. He also served as assistant director of the Human Needs and Global Resources Program at Wheaton College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in theology.

Christine Sequenzia, NAE policy director, is an experienced government affairs and biblical justice professional, an advocate and a public speaker who has traveled internationally to serve the oppressed. She spent over a decade working and writing for members of the U.S. Congress, international nonprofit organizations and private publications. Sequenzia has been profiled in The Hill, CQ Today, CQ Weekly, Politico and LobbyBlog.com. She holds a D.Min. and M.Div. in international development and urban studies from Fuller Theological Seminary along with a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University.

Diane Cokley, NAE office and technology services manager, gives support and general supervision for the NAE office (located in Washington, D.C.). Cokley received a M.A. in arts management for nonprofits from George Mason University and a B.A. in communications from Howard University.

Samantha Conway manages sponsorship for the National Association of Evangelicals and also serves as project manager for NAE Financial Health. In this role, she works closely with Brian Kluth on Bless Your Pastor, a national generosity campaign that provides church congregations with opportunities to find creative ways to care for their pastors. Conway earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Denison University.