Heather lives in Little Rock, Arkansas where she is a senior manager of the Global Technology Audit Department of Walmart, Inc. She graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting as well as business administration with an emphasis on organizational change management. When faced with challenges and improving processes, Heather isn’t afraid to think outside of the box to create and implement nontraditional solutions and strategies. Heather joined the Board in 2021.

Aubrey Thonvold (she/her) is a lifelong Lutheran who is committed to work centered on justice and equity for LGBTQIA+ people and their families within religious and faith communities. With a bachelor's from Trinity Lutheran College and a master's in Transforming Spirituality from The School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University, she strives to bring people in and invite all to the table. She is the executive director at Reconciling Works, a national non-profit working for the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy of LGBTQIA+ people and their families in the Lutheran church. Aubrey has worked on marriage campaigns in Washington, Hawaii, and Oregon, organizing outreach, education, and advocacy and encouraging faith communities to support the freedom to marry for LGBTQIA+ couples. Aubrey and her spouse Heather both have a call to ministry, a love of adventures, and enjoy time with family and friends. Aubrey joined the Board in 2021.

Robby Larson lives in Portland, Oregon. Most recently he served as vice president of advancement at Multnomah University. With 21 years experience in Christian and faith-based higher education, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the board. Robby holds a doctorate from George Fox University in Higher Education Leadership, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from California Lutheran University, and a bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University. Robby joined the Board in 2021

Patrick is an alumnus of Seattle Pacific University. Six years ago, Patrick was elected by the union membership as the financial secretary/treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587, where he serves as the chief financial officer and labor negotiator. Patrick has answered God’s call to service by taking on many different roles at his church over the years, including youth ministry, interim pastor, business manager, and various committee roles. He currently serves on the board of Compass Housing Alliance. Patrick joined the Board in 2020.

Sue Houglum (she, her) lives in Bellevue, Washington, with her husband, Mark. She is

retired from a long teaching career in mostly remote areas of Alaska (Teller, Nome, and

Kodiak), Nashville, Tennessee, and at Trinity Lutheran College in Everett and Issaquah. Trinity honored Sue with the title of Professor Emerita upon her retirement in 2015. Sue graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1971 with a BA degree in Religion and Sociology. Her M.Ed. was earned at Vanderbilt University in 1985. Most of her adult life was spent teaching in a variety of positions from preschool to college. In 1996, she became the professor of Christian Education at LBIS/TLC. During her 20 years in that position, Sue taught in the areas of Early Childhood Education and Children, Youth and Family Studies. Her specialty was in nature education, connecting young children with the out of doors. Currently, Sue volunteers at the Bellevue Botanical Garden, spends time in her yard growing vegetables, blueberries and flowers, and reads about 100 books each year. Sue joined the Board in 2024.

Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta has a B.A. in Biblical Studies Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle

and a M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. He served as a parish pastor for 10 years, as a

mission developer and redeveloper, before being called to the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA

as Director for Evangelical Mission, where he served for 7 years. Today he serves as the Senior

Director for New Ministry Development and Evangelism for the ELCA. Pr. Miguel is an evangelist and missionary at heart which he also lives out as a coach for missional pastors and congregations. He is an ICF Associate Certified Coach who enjoys working with both individuals and teams. Pr. Miguel resides in Chandler, AZ with his wife and two young adult children. Miguel joined the Board in 2024.

Jon is the Managing Partner of the Seattle office of Bordeaux Wealth Advisors. He has nearly 30 years of financial advisory experience. Jon earned an M.B.A. from Wayne State University and a B.A. with a major in Finance from the University of Nebraska. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and the Certified Financial Planner designation. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Seattle and the Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Faculty Member at the Albers School of Business at Seattle University where he teaches graduate Finance classes. Jon lives in Bellevue, WA with his wife Jane. They have two grown children. In his spare time, Jon enjoys traveling, cooking, exercising, reading and watching sports. Jon joined the Board in 2024

Rev. Dr. Richard W. Rouse is a parish consultant working with congregations in the areas of strategic planning, spiritual discernment, and leadership. A certified Spiritual Director and ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), he has served congregations in Arizona, California, Oregon, and Washington. Rouse is currently a member of the Advisory Board for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley and Vice President for the Association of Leaders in Lifelong Learning for Ministry (ALLLM). He continues to teach as adjunct faculty for Luther Seminary. Rick joined the board in 2022.

Joan loves to see people light up with their passions and gifts in life. Helping students to find their voice and a sense of belonging is her greatest joy. Joan is a 2013 graduate of Trinity Lutheran College. She is currently enjoying being a professional coach empowering individuals to discover and live out God’s calling. Joan and her husband Dave have two adult children and spend their spare time gardening in Stanwood. Joan joined the Board in 2019.

David is a retired attorney, actively engaged in a number of nonprofit and community activities, including currently serving on the boards of Compass Housing Alliance in Seattle; Lutheran Services in America, headquartered in Washington DC; and here with the Trinity Education Foundation. He attended the University of Washington School of Law, where he was executive editor of the Washington Law Review, then practiced law in Seattle for more than 30 years, including 15 years as a named partner in the firm Mills Meyers Swartling. During this time, he was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He also received the President’s Award from the Washington State Bar Association and the Harrison-Tweed Award from the American Bar Association for his professional activities. David is a life-long Lutheran and has served the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in many capacities and with Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island, WA where he and his wife Barbara reside. David joined the Board in 2017.

Tom was very active with Trinity Lutheran College with his wife Twyla (she attended Luthern Bible Institute Seattle in the ’70s). He is a retired marine engineer from the Washington State Department of Ferries and is actively serving on the board with Village Theater and Josephine Caring Community as the chairman of the board. Tom joined the Board in 2009.