By Joey Chin, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow
ELCA Witness in Society is excited to introduce the six members of the 2024-2025 Hunger Advocacy Fellows cohort. The year-long fellowship integrates professional development with faith formation and offers fellows the unique opportunity to address issues at the state and national level. Engaging in the work of advocacy remains integral to the life of faith and essential to our present witness. We look forward to the work ahead as we participate in the development of a more just world.
Emily Ahren (D.C. Policy)
Emily Ahern (she/her) is originally from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a lifelong member of congregations of the ELCA. She graduated from American University this past spring with a degree in Political Science, and is on track to graduate (once again) from American University this upcoming spring with a Master’s in Public Administration. Ahern is so excited to join ELCA Advocacy so that she can research and lobby for policy which will alleviate the effects of hunger and poverty for all Americans! In her free time, she can be found collecting vinyl, going to concerts, and watching Star Wars.
Erin Brown (New York – LOWC)
Erin Brown (she/her/ella) is a deacon consecrated by the Lutheran Diaconal Association. She is passionate about multicultural exchange, language, and the power of storytelling. Before joining the Lutheran Office for World Community (LOWC), Brown worked at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan as a fellow in cross-cultural ministry. Previously, Brown taught English to university students in Colombia and to Haitian adults seeking refuge in the greater Boston area. Prior to this, she lived in Costa Rica, completing her diaconal internship with a focus on refugee rights. Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish & Global Service from Valparaiso University and a Master of Arts in Latin American & Caribbean Studies from Indiana University. In her free time, Brown enjoys spending her time outdoors hiking and exploring creation. She’s thrilled to continue her work with the LOWC team this year and continue to engage in international advocacy.
Joey Chin (D.C. Communications)
Joey Chin (he/him) grew up in the greater Seattle area and earned degrees from The University of Washington in communication and political science. After graduating, he spent one year as an editorial fellow with Sojourners magazine followed by three years working as an elementary public school teacher in Redmond, Washington. Most recently Chin began a Master of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary. He is looking forward to joining ELCA Advocacy and being a part of all the important work being done. Chin enjoys books, movies, and podcasts and always appreciates any recommendations for new things to read, watch, or listen to.
Courtney Hall (California)
Courtney Hall (she/her) is the Hunger Advocacy Fellow with the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in California. She graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a double minor in Political Science and Religious Studies in May 2024. Her undergraduate pursuits were driven by her desire to understand the complex relationship between religion and politics in the United States. Additionally, while at Clemson, she was an undergraduate research assistant for the Chair of the Political Science Department, completing research for his book Dysfunctional Diplomacy: The Politics of International Agreements in an Era of Partisan Polarization. She also worked for Clemson University’s Athletic Academic Services as a tutor for student-athletes in history, political science, and English composition and rhetoric. She was born and raised in Long Beach, California and looks forward to being a faithful advocate and bettering the community that she loves.
Sagi Rudnick (Kansas)
Sagi Rudnick (he/him) is a political organizer, strategist, and activist with over half a decade of experience fostering community in Kansas and Missouri. During this time, with over a dozen campaigns and organizations, he has worked with diverse stakeholders and coalitions to achieve results for the community. These results include successfully lobbying for hundreds of millions in public dollars for public universities and working with faith communities and organized labor to raise the minimum wage and enact paid sick leave. Rudnick graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2023 with bachelor’s degrees in political science and professional communications, and a minor in International Studies. Raised in the Jewish faith, Rudnick believes simultaneously that the whole community is greater than the sum total of its individuals, and that every person is a whole world unto themselves. He is excited to promote justice in partnership with Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) and the ELCA! Rudnick lives in Kansas City, Missouri with his fiancée, Caitlin, and their four cats and two dogs.
Jake Summerville (Minnesota)
Jake Summerville (he/him) is the newest addition to the Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota team as our Hunger Advocacy Fellow! Born and raised in the ELCA with a professional background in youth ministry and direct service work, Summerville is excited to hit the ground running. He has just finished up at Luther Seminary and has been approved for ordination as a deacon in the ELCA, so this will be the first step of many on his journey. Ask him about his fiancé, his cat, the outdoors, or Dungeons and Dragons!
