Staff

Tom is the Director of the Center for Ministry Development and Project Coordinator for the Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program. Previously, Tom was the Director of Youth Ministry and the Associate Director for Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Tom has provided workshops on volunteer management in dioceses and parishes for over twenty-five years. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles.

Angel Barrera is a Project Coordinator for Youth Ministry Services. He has over 10 years of experience in ministry with youth and families in parish, campus ministry and diocesan settings. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in Religious Studies from University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. He has served as the Director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Brownsville.

Angel is a trainer for YouthLeader as well as an author for Youth Ministry Access. He is an instructor in the Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program, teaching the Skills for Christian Ministry Course. His role includes coordinating the Youth Ministry Access program, training in the Certificate in Youth Ministry Studies Program, and sharing in leadership in new efforts to assist youth ministry leaders.

He lives in Mission, Texas with his young family.

Susan is the Project Coordinator for Just5Days and YouthLeader programs. She also writes for Youth Ministry Access, works in marketing for the Center, and has given presentations at diocesan and national conferences, including NCCYM, NCYC, and the LA Religious Education Congress. She holds a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University New Orleans and a Certificate in Youth Ministry from the Center for Ministry Development.

Joan is the Coordinator National Workshop Series and the Lifelong Faith Formation at the Center for Ministry Development.  She also serves as the Co-Coordinator for Young Neighbors in Action. She holds a Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry from Creighton University and a Certificate in Faith and Justice. She is the former president of the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association and content editor and author for the USCCB’s book Connecting Young Adults to Catholic Parishes.

Among her various duties at CMD, Nancy is the Office Manager and also supports the Project Coordinator for YNIA and Just5Days. She was born in Seattle and raised in Japan as her father served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. In her role of grandmother, Nancy delights in her two precious grandsons!

Leigh Philley is the Program Assistant for Certificate in Youth Ministries. An alumni from Central Washington University, Leigh was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. When not at work, Leigh's focus is on raising her two children; Jack and Abby, keeping her husband and dog Duke out of trouble, and rooting for the Seahawks.

Leahe Wyatt is the Customer Service Support assistant for CMD and CMDNET.ORG. Among her strengths, her customer service and problem solving skills were a great fit for the team.
Leahe has worked for companies such as BWI, Starbucks and Western National Group. With her love of working with people and her heart’s desire for giving back, Leahe took a break from the corporate world and joined the non-profit sector.
Leahe lives just minutes from our central office in Gig Harbor, WA. with her husband and two young daughters.