ICTG Administration

Executive Director
Rev. Dr. Katherine Wiebe

Rev. Dr. Wiebe is an organization consultant, specializing in education, coaching, and therapeutic services following crises, trauma, or disaster. Founder and Director of ICTG, her practical experience includes pastoral care & counseling, relational psychotherapy, marriage counseling, group critical incident debriefings, and serving as a volunteer National Responder for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. She has studied relational psychoanalysis, group and organizational dynamics, and community care after disasters for twenty years. 
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Read Kate's blog posts >
Executive Assistant
Jordan Baldridge
Jordan Baldridge is a recent graduate of Westmont College, earning a BA in History. As a senior, he conducted a semester-long research project on the public policy response to the 1992 Riots/Uprising in Los Angeles and remains interested in contemporary urban affairs in LA, his hometown. Before coming on at ICTG he served as an Assistant Director of Westmont in Cairo, a study abroad program which takes Westmont undergraduates on a cross-cultural, educational journey throughout Egypt, Jordan, and Israel-Palestine.

Communications Director
Renee Carmichael

Renee brings over a decade of successful communications experience ranging from startups to corporations. Beginning her career in an integrated communications team, and most recently working in visual communications as a designer and art director, Renee felt drawn to using the skills she has gained in these arenas to develop models for community care after crises.

Trauma Chaplain & Director of Congregational Health
Rev. Marvel Hitson

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Marvel received a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a BA in Human Environmental Sciences & Family Services. Her ministry has spanned a broad range of contexts serving in the following capacities: Hospice Chaplain, Bereavement Counselor & Educator, Director of Spiritual Formation for Families, UMC Associate Minister for Youth, Compassion & Outreach Ministry Leader, and Program Coordinator for La Casa de Maria Retreat and Conference Center. Her training also includes Clinical Pastoral Education, FEMA’s Crisis Counseling and Assistance Program, as well as various psychosocial and spiritual practices that promote healing and resiliency through periods of trauma. She was based out of the Montecito Center alongside the HOPE 805 Team & other community partners supporting Santa Barbara County in the aftermath of the Thomas Fire and Debris Flows. She is currently working towards long term recovery through Riviera Care in collaboration with the Community Wellness Team.
​Read Marvel's blog posts >
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Spiritual Direction Program Coordinator
Erin Jantz

Erin Jantz received her Master’s Degree in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from the Institute for Spiritual Formation.  She also holds a B.A. in developmental psychology and has furthered her education with trainings in trauma care from Boston University and intensives with Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk. She has been practicing spiritual direction since 2012, helped to author ICTG’s Spiritual Formation Resource Guide, and also teaches and speaks on a variety of spiritual formation topics.  Erin lives in Southern California with her husband and their four marvelous children. 

​​Read Erin's blog posts >

Community Blog Coordinator
Leah Kahn

Leah Kahn has been professionally and academically involved in emergency management for nearly a decade. Currently, Ms. Kahn works as an Emergency Management Specialist for the US Navy. She has worked with cities, counties, and states across the nation and is passionate about supporting communities before, during, and after trauma and disaster.
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​Read Leah's blog posts >

Research Assistant
Flora Tang

Flora Tang is a current Masters of Theological Studies student at Harvard Divinity School. She also holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Political Science and Theology. Her ministerial and research interest lies at the intersection between post-conflict trauma healing and theology. Originally from Beijing, China, Flora has conducted research abroad in Israel-Palestine and El Salvador on their faith-based post-conflict community building NGO's. She also has experiences working in faith-based hospice facilities both in the United States and abroad.

Undergrad Psychology Practicum Student
Megan Davis

Megan is currently a fourth year student at Westmont College, earning a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. She has a keen interest in developmental psychology and it’s relationship with trauma and resilience, especially in children and youth. When she is not studying fundamentals of counseling, or analyzing Paul’s letters to the church, you can find her in the East Side of Santa Barbara eating a taco and hanging out with a crew of kids. 

ICTG Senior Advisors 

Senior Advisor for Youth Ministry
Rev. Doug Ranck

Rev. Ranck is Associate Pastor of Youth, Children and Families at Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, CA. With three decades of youth ministry experience, he serves as a consultant, trainer and speaker with Ministry Architects, the Southern California Conference, and, nationally, with the Free Methodist Church.  He has written numerous articles for youth ministry magazines and websites, and published the Creative Bible Lessons Series: Job (Zondervan, 2008).  Doug is happily married to Nancy, proud father of Kelly, Landon and Elise, and never gets tired of looking at the Pacific ocean every day. 
Read Doug's blog posts >

Senior Advisor for Organizational Health
Jenn Hooten

Jennifer Hooten is Founder and Principal at (Re) Engage Consulting, a consultancy that exists to unlock the power of people. With 15 years inside complex and often entrenched organizations, Jenn is sought after by clients seeking to constructively navigate conflict and move strategically into the future. Her work with individuals and teams is uniquely fueled by the assumption that compassion is a measurable business advantage and should be brought unapologetically into the workplace. Jenn holds a Masters in Ethics and Leadership, is a Certified Facilitator of the Compassion Practice, and is Program Director for the Center for Engaged Compassion. Though she works with clients nationwide, she and her family live among the vineyards on the Central Coast of California. 
Senior Advisor for Congregation, FEMA, & VOAD Relations
Harvey Howell
Recognized in 2015 with the NVOAD Don Hampton Volunteer of the Year Award and the POTUS' Lifetime Achievement Award, Harvey continues to dedicate his lifelong commitment to volunteer work and disaster ministry by building collaborative relations across faith-based, community-based, and government sectors for successful long-term recovery. Otherwise you can find him in San Antonio as a third-generation wildcatter and geologist, actively participating in church, and enjoying life with his wife Patti.