Meet the LUM Staff
The Staff of Lafayette Urban Ministry
Lafayette Urban Ministry depends on volunteers and donations from individuals like you to be successful. But behind the scenes of every great nonprofit is a small but dedicated team of staff who provide the day-to-day management and leadership to carry out the organization’s mission. LUM is fortunate to have an experienced, hard working team who believe strongly in the LUM mission while engaging and training volunteers.
Wes Tillett is the Executive Director
He started with LUM in April 2020. Wes grew up in Rensselaer and currently lives in Battle Ground. Wes’s education includes:
- Cedarville University (Ohio), BA, Biblical Education
- Western Theological Seminary (Michigan), Master of Divinity
In 2005, Wes was the assistant to the program director of the LUM After School Program, who at the time was his wife, Rita. He assisted in program logistics, tutored, mentored and in the process became a self-proclaimed basketball champion & kickball legend. During this time he also served as a volunteer LUM Camp counselor.
Jess Avila is the Program Director for Community Thanksgiving Feast
She started with LUM in October 2020. Jess grew up in New York and West Lafayette, graduated from Harrison High School and served in the US Army Reserves for four years. Jess’s education includes:
- Ivy Tech Community College, Associates, Child Development
- Purdue University, BA, Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Pre-Law
With LUM, Jess volunteers with the LUM Emergency Shelter and past Thanksgiving events.
Susan Brouillette is the Program Director for the Immigration Clinic
She started with LUM in 2013. Susan grew up in Fowler, graduated from Benton Central High School in Oxford, and currently lives in Lafayette. Susan’s education includes:
- Hanover College, BA, Communication and Political Science
- Christian Theological Seminary, Masters in Divinity
Susan was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in 2018.
Mónica Casanova is the Assistant Program Director for Immigration Clinic and Office Manager
She started with LUM in January 2020. Mónica grew up and lives in Lafayette and graduated from Jefferson High School. Mónica’s education includes:
- Purdue University, BA, Education
- IUPUI, MLS, Library Science & MA, Public History
Mónica volunteered with the LUM Immigration Clinic prior to serving as the assistant director.
Connie Decker is the Receptionist
She started with LUM in 2017. Connie grew up and lives in Lafayette and graduated from Jefferson High School.
Connie took several classes at Ivy Tech Community College to gain skills in customer service, clerical & receptionist duties and professional writing.
With LUM, Connie was a volunteer receptionist from 2009 through 2017. She also was the Summer Receptionist in 2016 and has assisted with LUM Camp.
Kieron Denson is the Custodian
He started with LUM in June 2020. Kieron grew up and lives in Oxford and graduated from Benton Central High School.
With LUM, Kieron has served as a LUM Camp counselor and volunteered for two years with various programs and with the Maintenance director.
Marlena Edmondson is the Program Director for LUM Camp
She started with LUM in 2018. Marlena grew up in Lafayette, graduated from Harrison High School, and currently lives on the north side of Lafayette. Marlena’s education includes:
- University of Indianapolis, BSW, Political Science and Social Work
- Indiana University, MSW, Social Work with concentration in Child Welfare
With LUM, Marlena was also a LUM camper for three years and LUM Camp volunteer camp counselor for 13 years.
Nancy Emig is the Clerk in the Business Office working with the Good Samaritan Program
She started with LUM in 2020. Nancy grew up in Valparaiso, graduated from Valparaiso High School, and currently lives in West Lafayette. Her education includes:
- Purdue University, BS, Supervision
With LUM, Nancy has volunteered as an afternoon receptionist and with the Good Samaritan Program, Jubilee Christmas, and LUM Follies. Nancy’s dog Bayley also is a regular “reading buddy” for the After School Program and 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program.
Nate Gick is the Maintenance Director
He started with LUM in November 2016. Nate grew up in Lafayette, graduated from Benton Central High School, and currently lives in Oxford.
Nate attended Ball State University and completed the HVAC Maintenance Technology Program at the AC/C Tech – Indianapolis.
Linda Hicks is the Program Director for the Good Samaritan Program and ID Clinic
She started with LUM in 2005. Linda grew up and lives in West Lafayette and graduated from Harrison High School. Linda’s education includes:
- Purdue University, BA, Early Childhood Education
With LUM, Linda also served as the Office Manager and assistant director of LUM Camp.
Kristi Hogue is the Program Director for Youth Programs including the After School Program and 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program
She started with LUM in September of 2018. Kristi grew up in Logansport, graduated from Logansport High School, and currently lives in Lafayette. Kristi education includes:
- Purdue University, BA, Child Development & Family Studies
She is a member of the National AfterSchool Association.
Gayle Koning is the Assistant Business Manager
She started with LUM in 2016. Gayle grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; graduated from Lawrenceville Catholic High School; and currently lives in Lafayette. Gayle’s education includes:
- American Institute of Banking, Diploma
- Radisson Hotels International, Revenue Manager certification & General Manager certification
- The Ohio State University, Pool Operator certification
With LUM, she was a special needs counselor at LUM Camp and has assisted with LUM Follies, Hunger Hike, Port of Hope, Turkey Trot and Jubilee Christmas.
Pablo Malavenda is the Executive Program Director, 
Communications Director, and Program Director for Jubilee Christmas
He started with LUM in 2012. Pablo grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Platt High School, and currently lives in West Lafayette. Pablo’s education includes:
- University of Connecticut, BA, Industrial Psychology
- UConn, MA, Higher Education Administration, focus in Counseling
With LUM, Pablo directed LUM Follies and coordinated Hunger Hike.
Nina Morgan is the volunteer Program Director for the Protein Food Pantry
Nina started with LUM in June 2019. She is originally from Bainbridge, Indiana; graduated from North Putnam High School; and currently lives in Lafayette. Nina’s education includes:
- Purdue University, BS, Home Economics Education
With LUM, Nina serves on the LUM Board of Directors and volunteers as a LUM afternoon receptionist and with Jubilee Christmas.
Josh Prokopy is the Program Director for the Tax Assistance Program, Dream Team, Hunger Hike and Turkey Trot 5K Run
He started with LUM in October 2017. Josh grew up in Massachusetts, graduated from Deerfield Academy, and currently lives in West Lafayette. Josh’s education includes:
- University of Massachusetts at Amherst, BA, Individual Concentration with a concentration in Development and Social Change
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, MA, Sociology and MSW, Social Work
Briton Weise is the Program Director for Homeless Services including the Emergency Shelter and Winter Warming Station
He started with LUM in August 2020. Briton grew up in Otterbein, graduated from Otterbein High School, and currently lives in West Lafayette.
Briton’s education includes:
- Taylor University (Upland), BA, Christian Education
- Indiana Wesleyan University, MA, Organizational Leadership
Eileen Weiss is the Business Manager
She returned to LUM in June 2018. Eileen grew up and currently lives in Lafayette and graduated from Central Catholic High School. Eileen’s education includes:
- Ivy Tech Community College, Business Law
- Chrysler Corporation, Automotive Accounting
With LUM, Eileen was the LUM Camp assistant, business manager for four years, project manager for 21 months, Jubilee Christmas program director, Tax Assistance Program director, Community Thanksgiving Celebration program director, Hunger Hike program director, and Good Samaritan Fund Follies entertainment director.
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