Staff & Board Directory
SF NIGHT MINISTRY STAFF
Rev. Trent Thornley, Executive Director, CPE Director
Rev. Trent (he/him) is an ordained minister in the Metropolitan Community Churches, a progressive Christian denomination with an outreach to the LGBTQ+ community. He is also an ordained Buddhist Dharma Leader in the Nyingma lineage of Anam Thubten. He holds a M.A. in Buddhist Studies from the Graduation Theological Union and a Certificate in Buddhist Chaplaincy from the Institute of Buddhist Studies. Trent is an Accredited Professional with the International Enneagram Association and serves as the president of the IEA Board of Directors. Trent was formerly a tenant's lawyer in San Francisco.
Rev. Monique Ortiz, Night Minister Emeritus
Rev. Monique (she/her) has served the SF Night Ministry for well over a decade as a Night Minister, lead pastor of Open Cathedral, and most recently as Community Programs Director. As Night Minister Emeritus, Monique remains active in Open Cathedrals and as a beloved leader in our community. She is also the pastor at St. Mary and St. Martha Lutheran Church in San Francisco. Monique is originally from Mexico City, moved to the States at 11 years old. She was a former TV News Reporter mainly for the Spanish Television Networks and has two grown children.
Rev. Johnny Leggett, Senior Night Minister
Rev. Johnny (he/him) is ordained in the Baptist tradition. Prior to joining SFNM, he has served as senior pastor at many churches. Rev. Johnny also served as a Chaplain at the Bay Area Rescue Mission in Richmond, CA. Rev. Johnny is involved in diverse community groups, ranging from being a founding member of the North Oakland Restorative Justice Council to serving on the National Faith Council for DoorDash, Inc
Chp. Shelly Webb, Night Ministry Services Director
Shelly (she/her) is an ordained Buddhist chaplain in the Shambhala lineage. She has served as a chaplain resident in two San Francisco hospitals after completing her first unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Night Ministry in 2020. Shelly holds a Masters of Divinity from Harvard University. She has years of experience working for faith organizations, schools and non-profits. Shelly lives in Oakland with her partner Martina and her dog Andy and enjoys traveling up and down the coast of California.
Benjamin DeShazo-Couchot, Care Line Director
Benjamin (he/him) is an educator, minister-in-supervision, and board certified coach (NBC-HWC) from Sonoma County. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (Interdisciplinary Coaching Psychology) at Concordia University, Chicago, and is a candidate for interfaith ordination at The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies. Benjamin's previous studies include a B.A. in Music from Sonoma State University and an M.A. in Church Music & Liturgy/Conducting from Saint Joseph’s College, Indiana, where he completed his capstone research paper on communal grief processing rituals.
John Brett, Programs Director, Faithful & Fabulous
John (he/hym/hys) began work with the SF Night Ministry in 2014 as part of our first CPE cohort. He is a seminarian within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Prior, John has accompanied unhoused neighbors in a variety of settings, including as the former Program Director of The Gubbio Project. John completed his BA in Spanish and Performance Studies at Dartmouth College, and he served as the Executive Director of a regional legal aid program in Washington State. His favorite ministry experience to date involves offering spiritual care while in drag at a taco truck. Each year John chaplains at Burning Man through Camp ReligiousAF.
Sam Ladue, Media Director
Sam (she/her) revels in opportunities to build community at the intersection of the human voice, presence, art, and environment. She spent over ten years connecting people through communications. Sam has spent time as an opera singer, Medical Spa General Manager, Director of Music and Liturgy, and in software development. She holds Liturgy Certificates through Loyola Marymount University and a BA in Communications through Southern New Hampshire University. Sam is pursuing a joint MDiv/MA at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and the General Theological Union.
Rev. Andreas Pielhoop
Night Minister
Rabbi Jeremy Sher
Open Shabbat
Rev. Thom Muller
Night Minister
Chp. JJ Godwin
Adjunct Chaplain
Rev. Michael Mallory
Night Minister
Rev. Liz Muñoz
Open Cathedral Manager
Buddhist Chp. Toby Pitt
Night Minister
Rev. Janet Katari
Night Minister
Rev. Thom Longino
Night Minster
Rabbi George Altshuler
Night Minister
Rev. Alex Rush
Night Minister
Fr. Scott Hill
Open Cathedral
Buddhist Chp. Linda Atkins
Buddhist Meditation
Kate Perdigon
Administrative
Buddhist Chp. Jamie Kimmel
Buddhist Meditation
Rev. Silvia Tiznado-Smith
CPE Educator
GOVERNING BOARD
Chris Calandro
President
Rev. Bekah Davis
Vice-President, Secretary
Rob Forrest, PhD
Treasurer
Kathryn Anderson, Esq.
Member
Larry Dannenberg
Member
Pam Dannenberg
Member
Rev. Dr. Karma McDonald
Member
Rev. Rod Seeger
Member
Mary Von Zomeren
Member