Rev. Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg began her ministry as President of HELM on May 1, 2023. She comes to HELM with a life-long career in Higher Education and a deep commitment to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Prior to accepting the call to HELM, Dr. Rodenberg served as the 20th President of Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia (2016 – 2022). From 2011-2016, Dr. Rodenberg served as Vice President for Advancement at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX. Additionally, Dr. Rodenberg served as the Dean and later as interim President at the Disciples Seminary Foundation (DSF) in Claremont, CA (2006-2009; 2009-2011). Prior to her work in Higher Education, Dr. Rodenberg served in congregational ministry, campus ministry, and for served for six years with the Division of Overseas Ministry/Global Ministries in the Kingdom of Swaziland [Eswatini], Southern Africa.
In addition to her academic administrative work, Dr. Rodenberg is an ethicist, having earning her PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. She earned her Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky in 1992. She completed her undergraduate work at Texas Christian University and remains a dedicated “Horned Frog.”
Dr. Rodenberg’s call to HELM’s Presidency is historic as she is the first woman to serve in this capacity. The Rev. Dr. Rodenberg comes to HELM as an accomplished administrator, collaboration-builder, and gifted leader in our church. Her passion is time spent with family and her hobbies include travel, golf, cycling, hiking, kayaking, reading, and photography. Send Tamara an email.
Rev. Lee Yates is Director of Scholarship & Leadership Programs. He also serves as pastor of Covina Community Church (UCC) and is the Managing Editor for InsideOut Camp Curriculum which is a partnership of six denominational partners alongside Chalice Press. Lee did his undergraduate work at Chapman University where he earned a BA in Public Relations, and then received his M. Div. from Lexington Theological Seminary. He has served congregations in the Kentucky, Mid-America, and Indiana Regions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), worked on the Christian Church in Indiana staff, and has directed national level events such as ICYF 2008.
Lee is one of the authors of Faith Formation with a New Generation, and his creative influence can be found a wide range of curriculum that ranges from VBS, to Sunday School, to Grief and Loss resources for those incarcerated. Lee is a trauma informed care educator, and its impact can be found in most of his work and writing. Lee loves Star Wars and Marvel movies, playing basketball and soccer, and taking his laptop to work from Disneyland rather than sitting in an office. Send Lee an email.
Anne Marie Moyars began her ministry with Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) on February 15, 2023 as our Ministry Associate in partnership with Disciples Home Missions. In addition to her responsibilities with HELM she serves as the Ministry Associate to the Search and Call Office, Disciples Chaplains Association, Disciples Interim Ministries, and Association of Disciples Musicians. She’s served the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for 17 years.
Anne Marie received her Associate’s Degree in both Business Administration and Accounting in December 1998 from Indiana Business College.
She is married to Jason and they have one son, Brayden. She and her family reside in McCordsville, IN. In her spare time, Anne Marie enjoys watching Brayden play volleyball, spending time with her family, digital scrapbooking, watching movies, and gardening.
She and her family are members of St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church in Indianapolis, IN. Send Anne Marie an email.
Erin Zavala has spent most of her professional career working in marketing and media, mostly in the B2B sector. As a founding member of Inc Media, she spent eight years as Chief Operating Officer while overseeing most departments in the business, growing it to be the most notable in its industry. Throughout her years in media, she developed a keen skill of cultivating relationships with her clients in order to better tell their stories through their brand marketing. She has maintained many of those relationships over the years as a result.
She currently serves as Development and Communications manager for Disciples Seminary Foundation on a part-time basis where she has been able to apply her professional skills to something she loves, her church. She is a longtime member of First Christian Church of North Hollywood where she has served in many positions including Board Vice President, Christian Education Council member, Media Services Council member, Christian Nursery School Council member, to list a few. She also worked for several years as the congregational liaison to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry where she held a seat on the board and helped to create fundraising opportunities within the community.
When she’s not working or enjoying her family, Erin spends her time writing, hiking, camping, exploring, and learning new skills along the way. Erin lives in Valencia, CA with her partner Jim, her two children, Lucy and Noah, and their very loud but sweet English bulldog, Birdie. Send Erin an email.
