Our Team
President
Emanuel “Ricky” Padilla
Our president is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), an instructor of Bible and theology, and lover of NBA basketball.
HTI Scholar & Intern
Michelle Navarrete
Michelle is currently a doctoral student in Hebrew Bible at Emory University and HTI intern with World Outspoken. Although she now lives in Atlanta, GA, she grew up in the suburbs of Chicago surrounded by Latine community. She is interested in the important work of bridging the church and the academy.
Internship Coordinator
Lesley Mayra
Lesley originates from a resilient Scandinavian heritage in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but has been a Chicagoan for the past 20 years. She serves as the Operations Manager for Relevant Homes, the real estate/design/build firm that she and her husband, Jeff own together. Lesley is passionate about building community, new culinary endeavors, and being active in the outdoors. She resides in the Logan Square neighborhood with Jeff and their three children.
Podcast Hosts
REICHERT ZALAMEDA
Reichert completed his BA in Biblical Studies from MBI. His days are spent balancing life as a seminarian pursuing an M.Div, a worship leader, and a husband & father to a one year old son. In between, he finds time to read and write about the Bible, theology, and culture.
Robert Rivera
Robert Rivera is a lifelong Chicagoan and works at his alma mater, Moody Bible Institute, where he helps to equip students for vocational ministry by placing them in various opportunities in the Chicagoland area. He has served on his church staff for over a decade, overseeing the youth ministry and the music ministry. Robert's love for movies began as a kid with the original Star Wars trilogy. As an adult, he's learned to appreciate the rich themes found in film. Robert and his wife, Michelle, live in Humboldt Park with their four children and they are an active part of the covenant family of their church, The Brook.
Lucas Manning
Lucas is currently a graduate student studying Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton College. He enjoys watching Stephen Curry rain threes and is a hopeless enneagram believer. His aspirations include becoming an Old Testament scholar and moving to a warmer climate.
Donielle Alicea
Donielle (Doni) Alicea is constantly curious and a natural creative talent with affinities for photography, videography, music, and all things related to marketing. Doni earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from North Park University in Chicago, IL and earned her Bachelor or Arts in Theology and Counseling Psychology from Moody Bible Institute. She currently leads a team of marketing professionals at a tech startup in Chicago. When Doni isn’t working, snapping photos, or sipping lattes, she can be found hangin with her adorable dogs, Logan & Arya. Her work as a photographer can be seen at www.DoniJac.com.
Board of Directors
Board Chair - Elizabeth Conde-Frazier
VP & Treasurer - Jeff Mayra
Secretary - Natnael Moges
Partnerships & Consulting - Q Nellum
Educational Content - Agustin Quiles