Staff

Director

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.

Project Coordinator for Youth Ministry Services

Angel Barrera is a Project Coordinator for Youth Ministry Services. He has over ten 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.

Office Manager/Administrative Support

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 three precious grandchildren!

Program Assistant

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.

Coordinator of Youth Ministry Services

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.

Coordinator of National Workshop Series and Lifelong Faith Formation

Project Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministry Services

Joan is the Coordinator for Young Neighbors in Action and Fashioning Faith at the Center for Ministry Development.   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.

As a life-long Washingtonian, Mary, her husband of 38 years, and their 2 dogs like camping in their motor home. Other adventures include Harley rides or kayaking the waters of the Sound Puget Sound.  However, playing with their puppies and four grandchildren is her favorite way to spend her free time!

Debra is the Program Assistant for the Workshop Series and the Assistant to the Director, Tom East.  She loves spending time in the outdoors with her family and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her dog Blue.