Staff & Board of Directors
Pastor Emily Tveite, Director & Campus Pastor
she/her/hers
Pastor Emily Tveite began her work at Lutheran Campus Ministry in August 2015. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas and earned her undergraduate degree in Religion from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. She completed her seminary studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. During that time, she served as Intern at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA. The experience of working in the Pacific Northwest inspired her passion for journeying with those new to the Christian faith and equipped her for working in a climate of declining religiosity.
More recently, Pastor Emily served as Associate Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oregon, WI, where her work focused on faith formation for all ages. Her husband, Paul Tveite, is a Software Engineer. They are parents to toddler Eleanor. Emily enjoys cooking and eating, playing board games, and reading. She loves to travel and especially visiting America’s National Parks.
Contact Emily at emily@lcmmadison.org or 608-257-7178.
Kenzie Ruiz, Communications Coordinator
she/her/hers
Kenzie began working for Lutheran Campus Ministries of Madison starting in March of 2017. Originally from the Green Bay area, she came to Madison with her husband, Rick, in 2013 and has loved exploring the vibrant community of Madison. After graduating with an undergraduate degree from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI, she trekked to the small town of Americus, Georgia to volunteer as Assistant Webmaster for Habitat for Humanity, Intl, and the spark for non-profit communications was lit. She spent time working for Crossways Camping Ministries, Bethel Horizons Camp & Retreat Center, several ELCA churches, and obtained a masters degree in Graphic Communication from Carroll University.
Kenzie loves growing vegetables, exploring restaurants around Madison, practicing yoga, playing with her rescued collie, Rilla, and watching their young son grow up.
Contact Kenzie at kenzie@lcmmadison.org.
Leif Kratzke Nelson, Intern Pastor
he/him/his
Leif Kratzke Nelson serves as intern pastor at Luther Memorial and Lutheran Campus Ministry. With him in Madison is his wife, Andrea Kratzke Nelson, who is starting her residency in family medicine at the University of Wisconsin. Leif grew up in Buffalo, Minnesota, went to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota for a degree in Music and Religion, and this internship is his final year through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Outside of ministry work, Leif draws with a digital drawing pad, reads and writes sci-fi and fantasy, and plays video games.
Contact Leif at leif@lcmmadison.org.
Student Interns
These are the students working with LCM for the 2020-2021 school year.
- Sami George (she/her/hers)
- Sam Lanzer (he/him/his)
- Jenna Ridler (she/her/hers)
- Delilah Schuster (she/her/hers)
Board of Directors
The Lutheran Campus Ministry board meets monthly to oversee the work of LCM, support students and pastors, envision the long-term work of LCM, and help raise awareness of the mission and ministry of LCM in the South Central Synod of Wisconsin.
Current Board Members
Executive Committee:
Rev. John Worzala Dumke, Luther Memorial Church (President)
Rev. Tim Dean, McFarland Lutheran Church (Vice President)
Helen Troutman, Bethel Lutheran Church (Secretary)
Bill Braham, Luther Memorial Church (Treasurer)
At Large:
Teresa Palumbo, Messiah Lutheran Church
Pam Shellberg, Bethel Lutheran Church
Vacant, At Large Member
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe, South Central Synod of Wisconsin Representative
LCM Student:
Vacant, Student Representative
Staff (Ex-Officio):
Rev. Emily Tveite, Campus Pastor & Director