Relief Society Conference

Bonnie H. Cordon

Bonnie H. Cordon was born to Harold and Carol Hillam and was the third of seven children. She learned her work ethic growing up on the family’s 80-acre farm in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

She met her husband, Derek, while they were both students at Brigham Young University. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple in April 1986 and are the parents of four children. She loves spending time with her grandchildren.

Her faith has carried her through her life. She served a full-time mission in the Portugal Lisbon Mission. Her Portuguese language skills came in handy when she served with her husband, Derek, as he presided over the Brazil Curitiba Mission from 2010 to 2013. She has served in her ward and stake Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. She also taught early-morning seminary.

She loves the outdoors and enjoys jogging, scuba diving, hiking, and skiing. She enjoys being with her family and traveling. “I love people,” she said. “We are children of Heavenly Father. He loves us.”

At the time of her call, President Cordon was serving as the First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency. She was released August 1, 2023. She is currently the President of Southern Virginia University which she is “thrilled with the honor and privilege” of serving as the university’s president.

Barbra Morgan Gardner

Barbara thoroughly enjoys teaching religion at BYU. She is teaching the Doctrine and Covenants, The Eternal Family, and Teachings of the Living Prophets. Her research interests focus primarily on women in religious leadership, international education (most specifically Latin America), and religious pedagogy. She is the author of the book The Priesthood Power of Women in the Temple, Church, and Family.

Barbara received her PhD in instructional psychology. Her master's degree is in educational leadership and foundations with an emphasis in international education development. She completed postdoctoral work at Harvard University. She served as institute director in Boston, which included her assignment as the chaplain at both Harvard and MIT.

She continues to serve as the chaplain-at-large in higher education for the LDS Church. She also serves on the BYU Interfaith Outreach Council. Before teaching at BYU, she worked as a seminary and institute teacher as well as a researcher for the Church Educational System. She was born and raised in Salem, Oregon; served a Spanish-speaking mission in the Los Angeles Temple Visitors’ Center; and resides in Highland, Utah.

Barbara is married to Dustin Gardner, and they are the parents of two children. She enjoys her wonderful family, learning, teaching, traveling, people, the great outdoors, and life!

Angela Russell

Angela Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has been practicing therapy for 20 years. She is passionate about helping people increase self awareness, have good boundaries, and have a healthy relationship with themselves and others. She specializes in individual therapy, reprocessing overwhelming life events, depression, anxiety, and traumas big and small. Angela loves Internal Family Systems therapy and is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She really enjoys diving into the neurobiology of how our brain processes our interactions with our environment and believes in finding patterns within ourselves that we can organize, repair, and bring healing to.

Ava Tasker-Mitchell

Ava Tasker-Mitchell, Ph.D. is a passionate educator and is committed to supporting the rising generation of children. She considers herself a lifelong teacher and has served as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for more than 20 years. Ava’s current callings in the church are Communication Government Specialist and a Primary teacher. These wonderful service opportunities in the Gospel have developed her skill set to be an impactful educator that has held various leadership positions. In her professional career, she is an educational consultant and former school system superintendent that has presented at national conferences, presented keynote speeches and started a business to develop educators all across the country. Ava is a servant leader with core values grounded in integrity, honesty and good works. She loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Lord’s work is her passion and she is committed to the Gospel and uplifting it on his behalf. Her faith, family, exercising, reading and learning, fishing and playing sports are her deepest love.

Becky Vanatter

Becky Vanatter is the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of six grandsons and one amazing granddaughter. She recently celebrated 50 years of eternal marriage with her best friend. After her degree from BYU in elementary education, she received her masters degree in teaching and learning with an emphasis in urban leadership. Becky had a 35 yr. career in education – 13 years in FCPS teaching 6th grade, and 22 years as an adjunct professor coordinating BYU’s Student Teaching Program in Washington D.C. Public Schools. After Covid, BYU moved their Student Teaching Program to Fairfax County Public Schools. Becky loved her career because she loves people. She taught BYU Education Week on the topic of resilience and has been the keynote speaker for a few stakes in the Region.

Her class today is an adaptation of some of the materials she used in Education Week, but with a dual focus of how spiritual resilience underpins all other kinds of resilience. This will be a master class in resilience. She will focus on what it is, how it’s developed, how we strengthen it, and what motivates us to develop it. Becky has served in all organizations of the church and is currently a Washington D.C. Temple Worker and a Primary President. She is a former R.S. President and Stake YW Camp Director in CA and VA. She loves spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, writing, trying to stay healthy, traveling, friends, and baking sourdough bread. This year she will travel to Thailand to be with her youngest grandson for his baptism and to Australia to revisit her husband’s mission.

Danette Peralta

Danette Alicia Peralta nació en Takoma Park, MD Sus padres son Pedro M. Zepeda de Granada,Nicaragua y Jeannette Bernal de La Paz, Bolivia. Ella es la segunda de tres hijas que tuvieron. Ella vivió en MD toda su niñez y adolescencia hasta que conoció a su esposo.

Danette conoció a Winston Leví Peralta Ceballos en una fiesta de año nuevo en la Estaca de Washington D.C. en 1997. Se casaron seis meses después en el Templo de Washington D.C. y tuvieron 4 hijos. Se trasladaron a Virginia en 2010.

Danette es sobreviviente de cáncer de tiroides. Su querido esposo falleció de cáncer el mes de Diciembre de 2023. Antes de fallecer lograron juntos disfrutar el nacimiento de sus primeros dos nietos.

A Danette le encanta estar con familia. Cada mes, hay un cumpleaños familiar. Cuando las reuniones familiares son en su casa, hay bastante comida, un montón de sobrinos y risas que sobran.

Sus viajes favoritos incluyen ir a la playa, viajar a Bolivia y otros lugares para estar con familia. Le encantan las artes, todo lo que incluye el teatro, la música en vivo y bailes.

De profesión, es maestra de salud mental y educación física para adolescentes de 14 y 15 años. Está estudiando para completar su Maestría de Educación y le encanta escuchar, dar ánimo y ayudar a los jóvenes a descubrir su potencial.

El templo ha sido una fuente de fortaleza constante en su vida y actualmente sirve como obrera en el Templo de Washington D.C. Los domingos, sirve en la Iglesia como maestra de la clase de Preparación Para el Templo. En un futuro, tiene una meta de servir una misión de tiempo completo como misionera mayor.

Diana Smith

Diana Smith is an accountant by day, and amateur historian by night/weekend. She has researched the women's rights movement by traveling to historic sites in DC, IL, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NY, OH, SC, TN, UT, VA, and WY to document and understand the suffrage movement. In 2019, Diana created a suffrage history walking tour in Washington, D.C. to highlight the contributions of LDS women in the fight to expand voting rights in the U.S. Since 2019, Diana has given this tour semi-annually, discussing her love of history with hundreds of people.

Diana studied accounting and political science at Brigham Young University, graduating in 2008. She is a member of the Oakton Ward in the Oakton, Virginia Stake, where she currently serves as a Youth Sunday School teacher and member of the Relief Society Activities Committee. In her free time, Diana can be found reading, baking, or spending time with her family and friends.

Eme Martin

Emeobong “Eme” Martin began serving as a member of the Relief Society Advisory Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in June of 2023. She also has served as stake Relief Society president, institute instructor, seminary teacher, counselor in a ward Young Women presidency, Primary teacher, temple ordinance worker, and full-time missionary in the Missouri St. Louis mission.

Sister Martin received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in public health from Saint Louis University. She works as the lead equity, diversity, and inclusion officer for a national non-profit organization focused on providing a firm foundation for infants and toddlers.

She was born in Takoma Park, Maryland, to Efremfon Frank Ekpo and Inyang Asuquo Ekpo. She is married to Christopher Martin. They live in the Derwood Ward, Seneca Maryland Stake.

Isela Maceda Manrique

La hermana Maceda conocio del Evangelio a la edad de 18 años cuando los misioneros llamaron a la puerta de su familia en Alexandría, Virginia. Toda la familia, incluyendo sus padres y dos hermanas, fueron bautizadas después de unos meses, y luegofueron sellados como una familia en el templo de Washington, DC.

La hermana Maceda ha estado en diferentes ramas y barrios en el área Norte de Virginia donde ha servido en diferentes ocasiones en Presidencias de Mujeres Jóvenes y recientemente sirvió durante los últimos cuatro años como Presidenta de la Sociedad de Socorro en la rama hispana de Cub Run. Se casó en el templo de Washington, DC hace nueve anos.

La hermana Maceda y su esposo viven en Centreville, Virginia.A ella le gusta hacer viajes por carretera con su esposo y pasar tiempo con su familia, especialmente le encantan las actividades con sus sobrinos. También visita a su familia en Perú a menudo, de donde ella y su esposo son de origen. Ella ha estado trabajando como asistente legal en una firma de abogados enReston, Virginia durante los últimos 20 años.

Julie Linton

Julie Linton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who has been serving individuals and families in Northern Virginia for the past five years. She is deeply passionate about understanding family systems and how family dynamics shape each person in unique ways. Julie specializes in helping couples, individuals, siblings, and families strengthen their relationships. Her work focuses on improving communication, enhancing conflict resolution skills, and building resilience so families can navigate challenges and crises together. Trained in both the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Julie continues to expand her expertise in evidence-based approaches that promote emotional connection and family well-being.Outside of her practice, Julie enjoys life in Leesburg, Virginia, with her husband, Jonathan, and their five children.

Linda Diamond

Linda Diamond es originaria de California, sin embargo no sabe surfear. Después de graduarse de BYU, sirvió como misionera en la misión de Concepción Chile, que es un mundo de amistad. Se casó en el Templo de Los Angeles con Chuck Diamond, y ellos tuvieron tres hijos. Ya tienen ocho nietos en Winchester donde recién se mudaron. Ella ha gozado muchas oportunidades de servir en la iglesia en cada organización y como maestra de seminario por 21 años.

Melaney Tagg

Melaney Dickson Tagg is a native Virginian. She has a BS in Civil Engineering from Brigham Young University, 1984. In her early career, she worked in the automobile accident reconstruction industry. She has taught in the public schools as well as on the university level. She is the founder and director of The Venn Diagram Project, a non-profit whose mission is to aid people on opposite sides of polarized issues to build trust and then find common ground on issues where they have previously disagreed. Her work on The Venn Diagram Project has been featured on several podcasts, including All In. Her work has been chronicled in Deseret Book's No Division Among Us and has been reported on by the Deseret News and by Public Square Magazine.

Melaney enjoys volunteering in the community, particularly as a hospital chaplain. She has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a variety of capacities, primarily in Relief Society. She currently teaches early morning seminary and she and her husband, Daren (BYU '85) serve in their local YSA ward and as ordinance workers at the Washington DC temple. They are the parents of seven wonderful children and grandparents of 17 spectacular people. In her quiet moments, she enjoys a great book, dabbles in playing violin or piano, and is happiest when someone else is making dinner.

Meredith Casto

Sister Meredith Casto’s life is marked by a profound transition—a journey from seeking

fulfillment through contemporary philosophies to discovering deeper purpose within the sacred roles of wife and mother. Through embracing her faith and nurturing her family, Meredith experienced a paradigm shift that opened doors to true spiritual wholeness and lasting joy.

As a homeschooling, homesteading single mother of four, she weaves her everyday experiences into a tapestry of resilience and gratitude. Meredith earned her MDiv from Seabury-WesternTheological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and has served as a pastor in several congregations—including leading a vibrant community of over 500 residents in a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Solomons, Maryland. In 2013, she and her late husband, Randall, found new purpose in their spiritual journey as they joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and devoted themselves to serving others.

In the face of her husband’s four-year battle with cancer and his death in 2024, Meredith has continued to guide her children with hope and faith, daily witnessing the Lord’s hand in their lives. She encourages other women to seek divine fulfillment by embracing their own sacred roles and opening their hearts to the miracles of God’s grace.

MJ Henshaw

MJ Henshaw is a public affairs professional with over 15 years of experience in political communication. She currently works at Google as a member of the public affairs team. Her career includes extensive time in the U.S. House and Senate, as well as communications roles on political campaigns. Additionally, she was part of the corporate communications team at Qualtrics.

Originally from Utah, MJ served her mission in the Micronesia Guam Mission and is a member of the Capitol Hill ward. She's an avid runner, a sourdough enthusiast, and the person you call when you need an update on Taylor Swift.

Nancy Jensen

Nancy Jensen was baptized on her 22nd birthday after two dear friends shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with her. She has held a variety of callings including nursery leader, ward and stake primary president, stake relief society counselor, seminary teacher, and stake seminary assistant supervisor. She currently serves in a ward relief society presidency and as a shift coordinator in the Washington DC Temple.

Nancy graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and worked 30 years for United Airlines as a flight attendant and instructor. She currently owns her own Mary Kay business, practicing the “MK golden rule of service:” God first, Family second, Career third.

Nancy has one son from her first marriage and was a divorced single mom for 11 years, during which time she helped care for her parents until they passed through the veil.

On 08-08-08, Nancy and the love of her life, Mark Jensen, were sealed in the Chicago Temple. They live in Herndon, Virginia. Together they have four sons, three darling daughters-in-love, and four precious grandchildren ages 8, 6, 4, and 2.

She enjoys gathering with family and friends, traveling, and all things Disney.

Seth King

Seth J King serves as the Institute Director of the greater Washington DC metro area. He is also an adjunct faculty at BYU-Idaho, an avid investor, and a business owner of Water Rental Companies in Northern Idaho. Seth loves the outdoors, exercising, BYU Football, improving his home and yard, and spending time with his seven children, and one son-in-law.

Seth has a PhD in Leadership Development with emphasis in Gender equality and is passionate about the scriptures and the teachings of modern-day Prophet and Sister leaders in the church. Brother King has endless engaging energy and makes the most ordinarily mundane things hilariously interesting.

Sina Jones

Sina Jones, LCSW-C, PMH-C, is a licensed psychotherapist and researcher who specializes in adolescence, emerging adulthood, and maternal mental health. Sina has provided therapy in university and intensive outpatient settings and now works in private practice, where she continues to help individuals and families. Her work integrates evidence-based therapeutic models such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She also contributes to national studies on youth suicidality as a Research Associate at The Catholic University of America's Suicide Prevention Lab. Licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., she combines clinical rigor with genuine connection to support lasting change and resilience.

Stephanie Kelly

Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker and the owner of Thrive and Bloom Counseling. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Louisville and has worked in school-based and community mental health settings supporting children, teens, and families. Before opening her private practice, Stephanie worked with Family Services, as a school-based therapist in inner-city Baltimore, provided free mental health services through nonprofits, and assisted foster families in the foster care system. Stephanie specializes in supporting high-achieving women, parents, and teens navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and OCD.

Her approach blends evidence-based practices with compassion, connection, and a deep belief that healing happens when we no longer feel we must carry everything alone. Outside the therapy room, Stephanie and her husband Ian have a beautiful blended family with three daughters: Lillian, Rosalie, and their angel baby Georgia. Their home also includes a dog, two cats, a bearded dragon and three leopard geckos—never a dull moment. Together they enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, musical theater, and making memories wherever we can. Stephanie loves French jazz, gardening, home decor, and finding slow moments in the chaos.

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