Meet the Team

Founder & Principal

Christian founded Lumen Leadership Strategies to help leaders and organizations move from insight to impact. With more than 16 years in the nonprofit and association C-suite, he has led strategy, governance, branding, and organizational change across a wide range of 501(c)(3), (5), (6), and (7) organizations.

Christian is a Certified Association Executive, a DELP Scholar with ASAE, and has served as COO of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and CEO of FarmHouse Fraternity. Known for his calm, clear approach, he specializes in strategic planning, governance, and executive coaching — always with a focus on people first.

Based in Kansas City, Christian partners with boards, executives, and leadership teams nationwide.

Consultant

Brooke brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, leadership development, and student affairs. She has guided institutions like Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, the University of Maryland, and national associations including NASPA and CASE.

As a consultant, Brooke focuses on leadership development, program strategy, alumni and volunteer engagement, and organizational review. She is especially skilled at listening across diverse constituencies and designing solutions that honor culture while driving meaningful change.

Brooke holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.

Consultant

Kahlin’s career spans more than a decade in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and learning and development. She has worked in fraternity and sorority life at both campus and headquarters levels, and today extends her expertise into EdTech, partnering with organizations to strengthen workforce learning and leadership pipelines.

Her work centers on engagement and enablement — helping leaders and staff build the confidence, systems, and culture needed to thrive. Kahlin also volunteers as an advisor to Alpha Xi Delta at the University of Maryland, keeping her closely connected to the student experience.

She holds a B.S.Ed. from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University.

Consultant

Rick is an accomplished association leader and consultant with more than 20 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations and their leaders flourish. Guided by a belief that thriving leaders create thriving communities, Rick partners with clients to bring clarity, alignment, and direction to complex organizational challenges.

With deep expertise in association governance, leadership development, and organizational strategy, Rick has led transformative initiatives that strengthen member engagement and elevate team performance. Before joining AWHONN, he guided governance and executive relations for local and state association leaders at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and advanced leadership and education programs with the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity, and the North American Interfraternity Conference.

Rick is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), an alumnus of the ASAE Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP), and holds a Master’s in Executive Leadership from Christian Brothers University and a Bachelor’s in History from Georgia State University.

Executive Assistant

Katie brings decades of experience as both an entrepreneur and trusted executive partner. Since 1987, she has owned and operated a successful small advertising agency, giving her deep insight into business operations, client service, and strategic communications.

At Lumen Leadership Strategies, Katie provides essential internal support across accounting, systems, and communications, helping ensure the firm runs smoothly and efficiently. She also interfaces directly with client projects, contributing to data integrity initiatives, event coordination, and marketing support. Her blend of operational rigor, creative perspective, and long-standing business ownership makes her a steady, solutions-oriented presence for both the Lumen team and its clients.

Graphic Designer

Miranda is a communications professional and independent contractor who uses her design skills to create dynamic marketing materials for fraternities and sororities, foundations and associations. She specializes translating ideas into concrete ideas to be used in campaigns, annual funds, member engagement and events.

Originally from Peculiar, Mo., Miranda graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in May 2022. She earned a double bachelor of arts degree in public relations and organizational communication while working three jobs and being active in a number of student organizations.