2026 Presenters

Micah Behr received his Doctorate in Viola Performance at UW Madison where he studied viola with Sally Chisholm and collaborative piano with Martha Fischer. His compositions and transcriptions have been premiered by the Madison Bach Musicians, Trio With(out), the Griffon String Quartet and Samtalä | Musicians in Dialogue.

Micah also composes music for Geneva Campus Church where he serves as Worship Director. He released his EP “Nobler Powers” in 2019, and in 2023, received second place in The American Prize for composition for his one-act operetta based on the life of Sarah Bernhardt.

Deborah Biddle is a Christian business leader, consultant, speaker, and culture strategist with over 30 years of experience in corporate, nonprofit, and small business sectors. As the Founder and Principal of The People Company Consulting Group, she partners with organizations to strengthen leadership, cultivate healthy culture, and translate values into daily practice with clarity and courage.

Deborah earned an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and a BA in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A certified leadership and DEIB practitioner, she is recognized for her grounded approach, deep listening, and skill in navigating complex conversations with wisdom and grace.

She serves on the boards of United Way of Dane County, TEMPO Madison, and Africasong, and is active in Madison Rotary and community leadership.

Her guiding principle is: THINK Better, DO Better, BE Better.

Lloyd Biddle is the Lead Pastor of Connection Church Libertyville, where he leads with a heart for discipleship, spiritual formation, and building a Christ-centered community rooted in faith, truth, and service. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ for over 30 years, Lloyd is known for his steady, grounded leadership, deep pastoral care, and his ability to connect biblical teaching to everyday life with clarity, relevance, and compassion. His ministry emphasizes spiritual growth, authentic community, and equipping believers to live out their faith with purpose and integrity.

He and his wife, Deborah, have been married for 36 years and have two adult sons, Jason and Jared. Lloyd brings a unique blend of ministry and professional leadership experience, shaping his thoughtful and practical approach to serving people. He holds a BS in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and an MA in Theology from Wheaton College.

Maggie Capra is an educator and historian. Overly inquisitive and easily distracted, she finds herself interested in almost everything—which has made establishing a career path a fun endeavor—but she constantly circles back to teaching. She loves the challenge of helping people consider new ideas, find their own opinions, and work toward talking well with others who may see the world differently.

She has taught at UW-Madison, Beloit College, EAGLE School in Fitchburg, WI, and is an instructor for the Upper House Fellows program.

As a scholar, Maggie researches American evangelicalism and the intersections between family, theology, culture, and politics. She is drawn especially to teaching about the conflicts and tensions in American History—especially conflicts surrounding the so-called “culture wars”—with an eye toward cultivating better conversations about difficult-yet-important subjects.

Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Founder of The Simple Way in Philadelphia and head of Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “if Jesus meant the things he said.” Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence.

Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, Executing Grace, his classic The Irresistible Revolution, Beating Guns, and his newest book, Rethinking Life. He has been featured in a number of films including “Another World Is Possible” and “Ordinary Radicals.” His work has appeared in Esquire, SPIN, Christianity Today, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal, and he has been on everything from Fox News and Al Jazeera to CNN and NPR. He’s given academic lectures at Harvard, Princeton, Liberty, Duke, and Notre Dame. In 2023, Shane received the prestigious The King Center’s Beloved Community Award for Social Justice from Dr. Bernice King.

Norman D. Davis has over 25 years of civil rights experience, serving the State of Wisconsin and the City of Madison. As Civil Rights Director since 2016, Norman has the primary responsibility to provide education, access, and accountability for the inclusion and success of underserved people in Madison. Norman’s oversight includes the City of Madison Affirmative Action Commission, the Disability Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and diverse groups of employees contributing to Racial Equity and Social Justice and serving on Neighborhood Resource Teams.

Led by a passion for entrepreneurship and economic equity, Norman co-founded the award-winning UpStart Program with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and established a partnership with LISC Milwaukee’s Associates in Commercial Real Estate program, helping to develop hundreds of businesses owned by underserved community members in Madison. Through the partnership of Morgan State University and the American Contract Compliance Association, Norman has earned credentials as an Executive Certified Master Compliance Administrator.

Tag Evers is in his fourth term as District 13 Alder on the Madison Common Council, a position he has held since April 2019. His district covers the near west and near south sides, serving an economically diverse population including some of Madison’s most vulnerable residents.

Tag has been promoting concerts in Madison and throughout the Midwest for over three decades, often raising money for local non-profits. He lives in Dudgeon-Monroe and can often be found on walks or in a dog park with Bella, his five-year-old Lab/Chow mix.

Tag attends Christ Church Madison.

Althea René Miller is a minister of the Gospel, artist, educator, and curator who prides herself on the powerful meaning of her first name, derived from the Greek word for healing. She employs art as a pedagogical tool and change agent to encourage spiritual, psychological, and emotional healing through work that represents the interconnectedness of trauma and triumph and examines the tension between divine authority and institutional power at the intersection of holy ground and stolen land.

Althea earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, is pursuing a master's in Multicultural Education from UW–Madison and has nearly two decades of experience as an educator. She brings this expertise and experience to her roles as youth minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and administrator and instructor at Lighthouse Christian School and Impact Christian Academy.

Helen Osborn-Senatus (MSW) has worked in social services and the non-profit world for the past 15 years. Focusing her work in schools, community agencies, and supportive services, she is thankful to collaborate with and for those she gets to serve. Helen’s focus has predominantly been children and families, working in schools, the child welfare system, and neighborhood centers, and she is thankful to serve the whole community through The River Food Pantry for the past six years. Her experiences have founded her belief in accepting the unexpected and taking chances to grow her perspective and impact.

Melissa Schmidt is a nonpartisan legislative principal attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Council. She has over 17 years of expertise in nonpartisan legal research, policy advisement, legislative committee staffing, and administrative rulemaking review. She is recognized as a subject matter expert in criminal justice, child welfare, alcohol beverages, public records and open meetings, and regulatory compliance. She specializes in analyzing complex legal frameworks and translating them into clear, practical guidance for legislators, legal professionals, and agency stakeholders. Melissa’s work at the Council supports informed decision-making and ensures alignment with established legal standards and procedures. She approaches every conversation through her Christian faith, remembering everyone is created in the image of God and the Kingdom of God is present as we speak.

Melissa received a J.D. from the UW-Madison Law School, an M.P.A. from the U.W. LaFollette School of Public Affairs, and her B.A. from Hope College. She recently completed a Certificate of Bible and Ministry from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Melissa, her husband J.R., and their three boys are active members of Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Marcio Sierra Jr. is originally from Honduras and serves as the Senior Pastor and President of Lighthouse Church and School in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and holds a Master of Divinity from Regent University. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Global Awakening Theological Seminary. In 2016, Pastor Sierra was recognized by Madison365 as one of the 48 most powerful Latinos in Wisconsin, and in 2019, he was honored as Latino Entrepreneur of the Year at the Hispanic Heritage Luncheon in Madison, Wisconsin.

Widely known in the community for his commitment to service, Pastor Sierra has dedicated his leadership to advocating for and supporting those most in need. Pastor Marcio is married to Tia Sierra, and they have two children, Marcio and Isabela.

Lily Schwenk serves as the Development Coordinator at Shelter from the Storm Ministries, where her work is deeply shaped by her faith and personal testimony, witnessing firsthand the challenges and resilience of a single mother trying to survive. Lily is motivated by the belief that faith and healing go hand in hand, and that generosity can be a tangible expression of God’s love. Her work is rooted in compassion, stewardship, and a desire to see families not only sheltered, but empowered to break the cycle of hardship and poverty. Lily focuses on building meaningful relationships, engaging donors, and sharing the powerful stories of lives being restored through Christ-centered care.

Mathew Thompson is currently serving as the Principal of Lafollette High School on Madison’s far southeast side. He was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. He attended Carroll University, UW-Whitewater and received his graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin. He has enjoyed a lengthy, 31 year career with the Madison Metropolitan School District serving as a teacher and an Administrator.

He lives with his wife in the Lafollette attendance area. Mr. Thompson’s wife, Beth Thompson was also a longtime MMSD employee and finished her career as the Lead Principal of Madison West High School. Mat and Beth have raised 3 children and all attended Madison public schools traversing the Elvehjem, Sennett and Lafollette feeder pattern.Mat remains committed to the transformation of Lafollette High School.

Connie Vacho is the Executive Director of Shelter from the Storm Ministries, where she leads with compassion, vision, and a deep commitment to serving others. Passionate about helping others, especially homeless children and their mothers, Connie works tirelessly to expand programs and services that provide hope, stability, and opportunity to families in need. With a heart for community and a drive to make a meaningful difference, she fosters initiatives that uplift families, strengthen support networks, and ensure every child and mother has access to the resources they need to thrive. Under her leadership, Shelter from the Storm Ministries continues to grow in impact, reaching more families and transforming lives through care, empowerment, and love.

2026 Planning Team

Jon Anderson served as a pastor in the Madison area for twenty years before launching Collaboration Project in 2019. He has a passion for serving the local church and encouraging the church as they serve the most vulnerable. and has a history of starting programs centered on engaging the church in local service. He helped begin Madison Missions, a local youth service camp, that engages hundreds of students every summer. He also co-founded the Kingdom Justice Summit which annually brings together hundreds of people from dozens of churches around Christianity and justice in our city. He is married to his beautiful wife, Mary, and together they have three kids, Ethan, Charlotte and Hazel.

Hannah Busse is a worship arts director, singer-songwriter, and creative leader based in Madison. With nearly two decades of experience in local church arts ministry, she currently serves as Associate Director of Worship Arts at Blackhawk Church. Over the past decade, Hannah has grown in her passion for multicultural ministry, seeking creative expressions that reflect the beautiful diversity of God’s kingdom.

As a songwriter and recording artist, her music blends folk, classical, gospel, and pop influences, and has been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio and beyond (learn more at hannahbusse.com). She also serves on the board of the Madison Area Music Association and as periodic Music Director for Verona Area Community Theater.

Hannah lives in Madison with her husband Will, their three daughters Norah, Ruby, and Alice, and their dog Charlie.

Mo Cheeks is a sourdough bread activist. He is the founder of Bread & Justice; a philanthropic micro-bakery in Madison. He combines his passion for making a difference in his community with his love for baking, using his handcrafted sourdough bread as a vehicle for social justice.

Mo is a former elected member of the Madison City Council. He has been honored as one of Madison's "40 under 40", recognized as one of the top 28 most influential African Americans in Wisconsin, and in 2021 was awarded the Bread Hero of the Midwest recognition from the Tiptree World Bread Awards USA.

Rebecca Cooks is Associate Director of Student & Employee Engagement for the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation at Upper House—a Christian Study Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Her values for crafting purposeful gatherings and meaningful conversations come together in her roles as an event curator, instructor for the Fellows Program, and director for the Intern Program. On any given day, you will find her mentoring college students, emceeing a conference or podcast, or leading a cohort on African-American history.

As a Chancellor’s Scholar, Rebecca earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in French and International Studies—Global Security. In the years since, she has worked with multiple ministries in event coordination and teaching, and she was recently recognized as one of Wisconsin’s 51 Most Influential Black Leaders.

Rebecca delights in living in Madison, and she spends her time loving her friends as family, training in taekwondo, hunting for the best chai latté, and singing whatever Broadway tune comes to mind.

Joy Fea serves as the Director of Upper House Commons, where she leads the design and implementation of thoughtful, welcoming programs and events that invite people to explore faith, engage in dialogue, and build connection.

Joy has worked over two decades in higher education. She served as Assistant Director for Internships and Faculty Engagement at Messiah University, has taught psychology as an adjunct professor, and was the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Residential Life at the Stony Brook School, a Christian boarding school in New York. She holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a bachelor’s in Secondary Social Studies Education from Colorado State University.

Joy is married to John, an American historian, and the most interesting person she knows. They have two daughters and a son-in-law and love traveling and thrifting together—especially in search of vintage glass Christmas ornaments.

Becca Feldhacker works for Collaboration Project, overseeing major events, communications, and development. Prior to this ecumenical work, she was a youth director and before that, a director in outdoor ministry.

Her love for nature and meaningful connection as well as her prophetic voice show up in her writing, most often in the form of blessings. She’s passionate about intentional relationships, creative and authentic experiences that nourish the spirit, and pulling up chairs to make room for more people at God’s table.

Becca and her husband, Dan, live in Edgerton and together enjoy hiking, camping, making music, and playing board games.