Rhys is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, quadruple-majoring in International Studies, History, Political Science, and Public Policy. His professional experience as a policy analyst and lobbyist has taken him to every level of government in the United States, from local city councils in his home state of Minnesota to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. In these positions, he has helped shape state legislation, advised international stakeholders on legislative strategy, and drafted resolutions for the U.S. Congress.

Here at Madison, he continues his involvement in the political scene, having been elected to the executive boards of Contemporary International Relations Association (CIRA) and Students Against Mass Incarceration (SAMI) simultaneously. He joins The Crossing as an Advocacy Coordinator focusing on gender-based violence, particularly in the way it intersects with housing policy. 

When Rhys isn’t busy with work or studying, you can find him drumming, lifting weights, or with friends!

Elisa Nerenberg is a Junior studying Global Health with a certificate in Health Policy. She is originally from South Bend, Indiana, where she grew up at a conservative synagogue and went to a reform Jewish summer camp. Although Judaism was a part of her childhood, she found a strong Jewish community on campus through Hillel and the resources they provide. This led her to do multiple Hillel internships, take on leadership roles, and volunteer at events. 

She wishes to connect with different religions and cultures around campus and in the greater Madison community to learn from each other and find shared beliefs that bring one another together. Through her work at the Crossing, she hopes to bring meaningful discussions to an interfaith setting and share her knowledge about Judaism.

Jack Miller is the Crossing Building Resident. He provides staff support for building management issues and can be reached at jjamiller05@gmail.com .

I am a sophomore studying Consumer Behavior and Marketplace studies, and some things I like to do include playing basketball, listening to music and spending time with friends.

Advocacy, collaboration and team building have been core values in Rev. Michael Burch’s leadership as a non-profit director, clergy, university professor and coach. He returns to UW-Madison after many years. In between he had multiple roles at UC Davis and Brown University where he also led two successful and widely publicized civil rights lawsuits on behalf of students against both institutions. The Title IX case at UC Davis helped elevate women’s wrestling nationally as an emerging college sport.  Mike has served as a non-profit leader, senior minister for historic churches in Rhode Island and the SF Bay Area, and as a professor and coach at several universities.  Rev. Burch earned graduate degrees in the history of religions at the Graduate Theological Union-UC Berkeley joint MA program and later at Brown University. His research and teaching interests include the historical Jesus, Christian origins, ancient GR philosophy, Early Judaism, Islamic history and interfaith collaboration among Abrahamic traditions.  

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve The Crossing students and support its inclusive, multi-faith mission through the values of belonging, exploration, advocacy and becoming.  I‘m very fortunate to collaborate with such talented and inspirational students."

For anyone finding their way at UW, you are welcome at The Crossing. I look forward to welcoming you and getting to know you.”

Reach Rev. Burch at The Crossing (#211), and by e-mail at Burch.Director@TheCrossingUW.org , or call/text at (608) 217-4403

Andi has always had a passion for human wellness: mentally, spiritually & physically, and has allowed this drive to carry her through her professional opportunities. She started her journey gaining experience in the medical field, working in dental, clinic, and hospital settings. She then began looking at how humans’ relationship with food improves wellness, by studying horticulture at UW Madison. She has a BS in horticulture from UW-Madison, specializing in cold climate fruit crop production & viticulture. She is happy to be working at The Crossing, a hub for complete human wellness, where students can find connection to health in food, spirituality, sustainability, and community.

Andi started as a student at The Crossing in 2016. She has fulfilled many roles in the organization since then, including student intern, The Crossing registered student organization (RSO) president, building resident, building manager, and now most recently, the building administrator.

Reach out to Andi for any questions pertaining to the building, events, space rentals, and logistics.

You can reach Andi by stopping by her office room #202 on the second floor of The Crossing, by e-mail at Office@TheCrossingUW.org , or by call/text at (608) 257-1039

Carolyn Betz first joined The Crossing Board in 2022. She was employed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources from 1984-2008 as a Water Resources Specialist and Watershed Planner. Her career areas of expertise were the relationship between land use practices and water quality; watershed management; and climate change. She retired with Emerita status from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in 2019 and continued working in these disciplines through 2025. She holds a B.S. in Geology and Environmental Studies from St. Lawrence University and a M.S. in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In retirement, she continues to volunteer time in projects related to poverty abatement, homelessness, food security, and progressive campus ministries. She also spends time hiking, biking and playing pickleball. She and her husband have two adult sons who live in Sun Prairie and Milwaukee. 

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Carolyn at: carolyn.betz@sbcglobal.net

Jen is a pastor at Community of Hope UCC/ Madison Christian Community on the west side of Madison, where she has been serving since 2022.

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Jen at : jen.bloesch@gmail.com

Derek began his career in higher education in 2008 and has been Pastor of First United Church of Christ in Green Bay since 2024.

Member of the Board of Directors

Please email Rev. Derek at pastor@firstgb.org

Electrical Engineering Assistant Professor at McMaster University.

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Phillip at: phillip.kollmeyer@gmail.com

Rev. Shelby is ordained in the UCC, previously served with Global Ministries in Palestine, and as of February 2022 is a Staff Chaplain at University Hospital in Madison

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Rev. Shelby at shelbyjeidy@gmail.com

Sherry is a member of First United Methodist Church in Madison which has selected The Crossing as a partner in mission. Sherry admires the past, present and future of The Crossing, its students and staff. 

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Sherry at: cavessherry@gmail.com

Rev. Tim Schaefer has served as pastor of First Baptist Church since November 2020. Prior to relocating to Wisconsin, he served as Minister to Youth at Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, where he was ordained in early 2019. Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Boston University and a Master of Divinity degree, as well as, a degree certificate in Gender and Sexual Justice from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University.

In addition to his pastoral role, Tim co-founded and continues to co-lead the Wisconsin Coalition for Religious Freedom, a broad collective of Wisconsinites dedicated to disrupting the rise of white Christian nationalism in our state.

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Tim at: tim@firstbaptistmadison.org

Rev. Dr. Brian Henderson is an ordained American Baptist minister who has served three congregations over 25 years. Brian has worked with the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists’ Board and Staff since 2019 before beginning as full-time Executive Director in 2024. Outside of his ministry responsibilities, Brian loves traveling and spending time with his three (nearly all) young adult children.

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Brian at: brian@awab.org

Member of the Board of Directors

Please e-mail Tom at: tpgerman@aol.com