Staff and Board

Austen Hartke (he/him) is the founder and Executive Director of Transmission Ministry Collective. He is the author of the book “Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians,” and holds a Master’s degree in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible studies from Luther Seminary. Austen is the creator of the “Transgender and Christian” video project, and is a 2019 Bush Foundation Fellow. He is a big fan of pastries and his dog Mowgli, and generally identifies as a Bible nerd. As a transgender person of faith, Austen’s greatest passion is helping other trans and gender-expansive people see themselves in scripture. You can learn more about Austen at austenhartke.com.

Micah Melody Taberner (she/her) is the Community Care Coordinator for Transmission Ministry Collective. As a transgender and bi-racial Latina follower of Jesus, Micah’s greatest passion is helping individuals and communities explore the intersection of their own identities and faith. In all her work, Micah loves using art and music to build relationships and stir cross-cultural dialogue. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Social Transformation and a Master of Divinity at Pacific School of Religion. When not at work, Micah Melody can be found exploring the San Diego culinary scene with her wife, getting into late-night theological discussions with her friends, cuddling with (and annoying) her cats, and playing movie soundtracks on piano.

Peter Clare (they/them or he/him) is the Development and Communications Coordinator for Transmission Ministry Collective. Peter is a queer follower of Jesus who believes that God uniquely reveals Herself in the voices, bodies, and lives of trans and gender-expansive people. Peter belongs to Zao MKE Church, a Jesus rooted, justice centered, radically inclusive Christian community in Milwaukee, WI. They are also active in the world of theatre as a director, performer, and designer. Peter tries to see all their work through an abolitionist lens and is committed to dismantling carceral systems and building liberative communities of care. In their free time, you can find them playing the fiddle, immersing themselves in sci-fi and fantasy universes, or hosting dance parties.

Rev. Leo Seyij Allen (they/them or he/him) is a Baptist minister working at the intersection of faith and justice. Their passion for mobilizing faith communities toward advocacy and action inspires their ministry in and beyond the pulpit. Prior to joining Transmission Ministry Collective, Leo Seyij served as a congregational minister for two Atlanta-based churches. They also worked with organizers across the South to lead campaigns on ending racial trauma, immigrant rights, and LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity. Leo Seyij is the Georgia Campaigns Manager for Faith in Public Life. They are an alumnus of Howard University and a graduate student at Columbia Theological Seminary. You can find out more about Leo Sayij by following them on Twitter and Instagram.

Leo Sayij serves as TMC’s Board Minister, and assists with developing our spiritual formation programming and provides spiritual care to our staff and volunteers.

Rev. Emmy Kegler (she/her or they/them) is a pastor, author, and speaker called to ministry at the margins of the church, especially among LGBTQIA+ Christians. She serves as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis. She is also the founder and editor of the Queer Grace Encyclopedia, a curated collection of online resources around LGBTQ+ life and faith. Her first book, One Coin Found: How God’s Love Stretches to the Margins, tells her story as a queer Christian called to ordained ministry and how it formed her relationship with Scripture. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and enjoys biking, board games, books, and spending time with her wife Michelle and their two dogs and cat. You can find out more about Emmy at emmykegler.com.

Emmy serves as TMC’s Secretary-Treasurer, and assists with budgeting and policy documentation.

Myles Markham (he/him or they/them) has worked for almost a decade in grassroots faith organizing to advance LGBTQ inclusion and racial justice in evangelical and or conservative churches. Myles is based in Atlanta, Georgia where they are pursuing a Master of Arts in Practical Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary. Myles loves feminist and postcolonial theologies, exploring their Japanese American/Native Hawai’ian identity, and their most recent work has been helping to create and implement impact strategies for justice driven documentary films. You can find out more about Myles at mylesmarkham.com.

Myles serves as TMC’S Board Developer, and assists with grant and fundraising.

Laura Bethany Buchleiter (she/her) is a speaker, writer, advocate, and consultant. She has over 25 years of experience in various Christian ministry settings. She speaks on topics ranging from gender identity and sexual orientation to self-care and wellness. In all her work, Laura Beth draws heavily on her own experiences with PTSD, gender dysphoria, suicidal ideation, the challenges that come with those when working in faith communities. While Laura Beth is currently living in Indianapolis where she is pursuing graduate degrees, Laura Beth has lived all over the USA, including Puerto Rico. In addition to writing, speaking, and studying, she keeps herself busy as an artist, musician, parent, and grandparent. You can find out more about Laura Beth at laura-bethany.com.

Nora Huxtable (she/her) is a public defender based in Minnesota. As the child of a Presbyterian pastor and church administrative assistant, she has an intimate understanding of religious organizations and structures. On weekends, you can find her running around in the woods with her dog and a backpack full of books, tea, and baked goods. You can learn more about Nora and her work here.

Kai (Sarah) Ngu (they/them) is a freelance writer who’s written on queer Asian traditions, and is also an MA student at Yale Divinity School where they are researching missionary interactions with queer indigenous, religious leaders in Southeast Asia. Born in Borneo, Malaysia, they now split their time between New Haven and Brooklyn. They co-founded ChurchClarity.com, a database that scores church websites for clarity regarding policies for LGBTQ people and women in leadership, and served on the Executive Council of Forefront NYC Church, a progressive, non-denominational church in Brooklyn. You can find out more about Kai at sarahngu.com.