SLCM staff
(she/her)
Clare Rutz Wallace
Executive Director
Clare grew up in Upstate New York and attended Syracuse University where she earned a dual B.A. degree in Policy Studies and International Development. After school she traveled throughout Asia vetting and consulting nonprofits for the GlobalGiving Foundation, and then moved to Washington, D.C. to work on their team. Clare spent another two years “in the field” with the Peace Corps as an agriculture volunteer in Senegal, after which she found her way to Kentucky. She’s since made South Louisville her home. Formerly the Director of Development at Americana World Community Center, she also serves on the board of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition, Metropolitan Housing Coalition, and is the Chair of the Association of Community Ministries.
(she/her)
Kate Husk
Assistant Director
Kate joined the SLCM team in 2001 after moving to Louisville from London, England. There she had serviced with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. coordinating international young adult volunteers throughout Great Britain. Prior to that she worked extensively with children and youth in churches, camps, and community centers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kentucky and West Virginia (where she grew up). She has a BA in International Relations from The College of Wooster. Passionate about diversity and helping others find hope, Kate has found her calling at SLCM. Her home life involves adventures traveling, hiking, camping and creating with her husband, daughter, and a menagerie of pets.
(he/his)
Jerry englehart
COmmunity care Coordinator
Jerry loves being outdoors and in nature--whether that is a hike, biking or climbing rocks. Jerry graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. From there he married the love of his life, Rebecca Lumbrix, and moved to Louisville, KY! Before joining the team at SLCM, Jerry was an AmeriCorps VISTA member and VISTA Leader at Americana World Community Center's--Where Louisville Meets the World cohort for over two years. Jerry has also interned and/or been published around the country in organizations such as ZUMA Press, the Orlando Sentinel, LOOK3: Festival of the Photograph, Eastern Surf Magazine and numerous others. An interesting photography related fact about Jerry, is a portrait series he took in Duquesne Cremone, Cote d’Ivoire is part of the permanent collection at the Southeast Museum of Photography in Daytona Beach, FL.
(he/his)
Stephon Moore
Director of advancement
Stephon Moore grew up in Jeffersonville, studied Political Science at Indiana University Southeast, and is currently a dual undergraduate and masters student at the University of Louisville studying Law and Public Policy. He has over ten years of experience in politics and government, fundraising, event planning, process improvement, customer service and community outreach. Since 2019, Stephon has held roles for Congressman John Yarmuth, former State Representative Charles Booker, and State Representative Pam Stevenson. He hopes to build SLCM into something that can serve as a model for non-faith based Community Ministries throughout the nation.
(she/her)
Denise Thurston
Immediate needs coordinator
Denise grew up in Wetumpka, Alabama until she returned to Louisville her 6th grade year. She went on to graduate from Atherton High school and took two years of community college at JCC. She studied and was certified at the Kentucky Health Care Training Institute where she became a Certified Nursing Assistant. She was also involved in various organizations such as Louisville Youth Alliance and The Neighborhood Youth Boards of Louisville. That's where she earned the job training award for great leadership. She also got recognition from the mayor of Louisville who picked her slogan, UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY, to be the best one for the stop the violence era in the 90s.
(they/he)
Micah Kavich
Financial Assistance Coordinator
Micah Kavich has lived in and loved the the South End most of their adult life. They are a Case Manager and Data Coordinator at South Louisville Community Ministries and the Database Specialist for the Association of Community Ministries. They received Adult Peer Support Specialist training through the Trager Institute, where they are currently working toward Community Health Worker certification. Micah has been co-facilitating projects for a decade focused on community connection, resource navigation, and mutual aid. Their interests include reading, bonfires, and creating myriad wonders with their child.
(she/her)
Lejla Cosic
Director of client and care coordination
“Hello, my name is Lejla and I am originally from Bosnia! My family and I came to the states in 2000 due to the war. I got my Masters in Public Health from UofL in 2019 and was previously a community health coordinator before my role here at SLCM. I have one crazy puppy, Kaia, and she is a hooligan. I love playing volleyball and just being outside anytime the weather is nice but anything below 70 is no fun for me. I'm trying to pick up golfing but its a lot harder than I expected it to be, so that’s a work in progress!”
(she/her)
Hannah brooks
Neighborhood Network Communication Coordinator
Hannah grew up in Louisville, KY. She enjoys spending time in nature, rock climbing, practicing yoga, and spending time with her two girls, Dorothy and Judith. Hannah is joining SLCM wearing two hats, as a social work student at Spalding University and as a part of the new Neighbor Network team. She is excited to learn from her fellow colleagues the ins and outs of the nonprofit world and hopes to have a positive impact on the South End community.
(she/her)
Jen Mansfield
meals on wheels intake coordinator
Jen grew up in Louisville before earning a BA in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. After working in various political spaces, she found her passion in engagement and direct service. During the pandemic, she worked in eviction prevention, which led her to South Louisville Community Ministries. Since joining the SLCM team in January, she has helped transition the food pantry to a full choice pantry, and now serves as the Meals on Wheels and Intake Coordinator. Outside of work, she is a lover of animals, nature, and reality television. If you see her around the office she would love for you to show her a picture of your pets or plants!