Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner serves as professor of the practice of church ministry and Methodist studies and associate dean for Wesleyan engagement. Appointed to the faculty of Duke University Divinity School in 2001, she is an ordained elder and member of the Western North Carolina Conference.  The author of numerous books and articles, her most recent book is an adult study resource about United Methodist identity titled, Knowing Who We Are: A Wesleyan Way of Grace. 

Jonathan Brake, Eco-Mission and Creation Care Coordinator, Western North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church,  Elder in Full Connection.

Rev. Jonathan Brake brings over 25 years of dedicated ministry experience as an ordained elder in the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church. His journey into creation care began in 2016 when he was selected as an inaugural participant in the Global Ministries EarthKeepers program, launching a transformative path toward environmental stewardship leadership.

Peter van Dorsten brings four decades of business experience from IBM, where he worked in sales, management, consulting, and process improvement. Now in retirement, he channels his expertise toward justice work as part of the NC Interfaith Cash Bail Reform Committee, building coalitions of religious groups across the state to advocate for fair, safe, and cost-effective alternatives to the current system.

Join immigration expert Ann Marie Dooley for an enlightening presentation that explores how current immigration policies impact our community and how our United Methodist Social Principles inform our response to these challenges.

Ms. Dooley will begin with Immigration 101 – dispelling common misconceptions about immigration processes and revealing the complex reality behind the often-heard phrase “get in line.” For most immigrants, there is no line to join. Then, she will discuss how the significant federal immigration policies have impacted North Carolina’s immigrant communities. Understanding the real-world consequences on our neighbors and communities has never been more crucial.

Through her extensive legal practice, Ms. Dooley will share real insights into how these changes affect families, workers, and vulnerable populations seeking safety and opportunity, and how our faith principles guide our response to these challenges.

Dr. Angel Collie (he/him) brings a unique perspective shaped by his roots in rural North Carolina and his current role as Director of the Center for Sexual andGender Diversity at Duke University. His journey has taken him from UNC-Chapel Hill, where he served as Assistant Director of the LGBTQ Center, to his current position at Duke, reflecting his deep commitment to supporting diverse communities in higher education.

Dr. Collie holds impressive academic credentials, including a BA in Religious Studies with minors in Women’s Studies and Sexuality Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and, most recently, a Doctor of Ministry from Duke Divinity School. His doctoral focus on spiritual and pastoral care within queer and trans communities directly informs his approach to bridging faith and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

Dr. Collie will address the serious challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals—especially within faith contexts—and provide practical, actionable ways that churches and individual believers can offer meaningful support and care.

Attorney Jennifer Mencarini serves as Director of Cultural Engagement at Fox Rothschild, where she spearheads diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the firm’s 30 offices nationwide. Her leadership extends beyond her primary role through her service as a Board Member of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals and Co-Chair of NALP’s Religious Inclusion Task Force.

Guest Speaker, Dr. Craig J. Richardson, is the Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) at Winston-Salem State University and is the Truist Distinguished Professor of Economics. Over his 30-year career as a professor, he has written articles for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Barron’s, and Forbes, as well as published in numerous academic journals.  He has also served as executive producer/lead researcher for three documentary films that focus on economic mobility, with themes including first-time homeownership, public transportation, and, most recently, micro transit.