STAFF:

Lead Organizer: Molly Bretchel

Molly Brechtel brings over two decades of experience in grassroots organizing, issue campaigns, and community engagement to Justice Matters. Her most recent role as a Field Director with The Outreach Team saw her leading large-scale voter registration efforts in some of the nation's poorest zip codes. Before this, she spent three years with Pennsylvania United, where she researched, developed, and led community-based issue campaigns for safe and affordable housing, criminal justice reform, ending child poverty, and youth gun violence. She holds a degree in Psychology and Women's Studies from Gannon University. Molly's passion for building collective power and doing justice is deeply rooted in her faith. She is eager to foster deep relationships with the community in Lawrence and to 'stand firmly for justice' following her faith tradition, Islam.

Contact Molly at [email protected]. 

The Office Assistant position is currently open. Please learn more and apply through the Job Opportunities tab. 

EXECUTIVE BOARD:

Co-President: Judy Pope, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Judy feels it is an honor to have been a Justice Matters Team Leader at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since Justice Matters was established in Douglas County. It has been exciting to seek Justice for everyone. Judy grew up on a farm in Ohio, so she knows what hard work is. Judy was the Clerk of Municipal Court for the City of Lawrence several years ago and then an Office Manager for many years until retirement. Through Justice Matters she was very involved in the Jail No campaign. Since then she has been on several research committees: Jail Alternatives, Mental Health, Ending Chronic Homelessness, Elder Care Workforce, and Youth Trauma. Her husband Jerry, their pup Joshua, and Judy love living in Douglas County and have been excited to seek justice for everyone. They also love spending time with their seven very special grandchildren and their bright and adorable two year old great grandson!

Co-President: Chelsy Larson, Trinity Lutheran Church

Chelsy is a Lawrence native, baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church where today she is a member of the choir. Chelsy earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas in May 2011 and currently runs a private practice as a mental health therapist here in Lawrence. Prior to her work as a therapist, she worked as an advocate at area domestic violence shelters, notably Lawrence's Willow Domestic Violence Center. Chelsy is also the mother to two daughters, ages 8 and 5. She also spends considerable time performing as a vocalist for several local bands.

Co-Vice President: Rev. Dr. Kirstie J. Engel, First United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Kirstie Jeanette Engel is an ordained Elder in the Great Plains Conference of The United Methodist Church and currently serves as Senior Pastor of First Church Lawrence, a multi-campus congregation devoted to inclusion, innovation, and community transformation. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Engel brings an energetic, relational, and justice-centered ministry that connects faith with real-world change. Before coming to Lawrence, Dr. Engel served as Senior Pastor of Lincoln First United Methodist Church (Nebraska), where she also served for two years as Co-President of Justice in Action, helping lead community wins in affordable housing, mental-health access, and restorative practices. At First Church Lawrence, Dr. Engel continues to expand Next Gen ministries, deepen the church’s commitment to equity and belonging, and strengthen cross-sector partnerships that build a more just and compassionate community. Dr. Engel and her spouse, Stephen Engel, share a blended family and delight in doing life together.

Co-Vice President: Paula Bremer, Vintage Church

Paula Bremer is a retired Presbyterian minister in the PC (USA).  She moved to Lawrence with her husband,  Steven, in 2017 and has been active in Justice Matters ever since, previously serving on the Board.  Paula attends Vintage where she has served as a Team Leader.  The Bremers have four children and three grandchildren, some of whom live in Lawrence.

Co- Treasurer: Cynthia Eubanks, Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church

Cynthia is married to Willone Eubanks and is a proud mother of five, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of ten. She owned and operated Win Construction, Inc. for the final 15 years of her 40-year career in construction. She's always been active in the Lawrence community- as a member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, Bert Nash board member, and officer in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc. She is the Church Administrator & Business Manager for Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church. Personal life’s theme (from AKA Sorority, Inc.) – Service to ALL mankind!

Co-Treasurer: Bob Day, OREAD Friends

Bob Day was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has a BA and MED from the University of  Washington. He earned his PhD from Vanderbilt University in 1981. Bob served as Program Director at  Parsons State Hospital from 1981 to 1989, Director of the Kansas Neurological Institute from 1989 to 2000, Kansas Medicaid Director from 2000 2003, and Director of Kansas Health Policy Authority from 2003 to 2006.  He is on the elder care workforce steering committee, as well as the finance committee. As a Quaker, he believes he has an obligation to strive to create a society that allows all people to live a life of dignity and well-being.

Co- Secretary: Margie Dyck, First Presbyterian Church

Margie Dyck is a "Midwest Farmer's Daughter", wife, and mother of two sons now in their 40's. She got involved with Justice Matters in 2018, to represent First Presbyterian Church. She is a retired Critical Care Respiratory Therapist from the University of Kansas Hospital. She moved to Lawrence in 2017 and became an Extension Master Gardener in 2018. She serves on the Elder Care and Youth Trauma Steering Committees.

Co- Secretary: Wanda Haney, Neighborhood Network

Wanda is a retired elementary music teacher, and has lived in Lawrence since 1975. She is an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church where she is involved in children’s ministry, and serves as the Angel Tree coordinator. (Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship serving children and families of incarcerated parents). She has been involved in Justice Matters since 2020. She is on the ending chronic homelessness steering committee. Wanda and her husband Steve have three children and four grandchildren.

At-Large Member: Rev. Ted Mosher, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Rev. Ted Mosher serves as the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Prior to being called to Good Shepherd, he worked more than 20 years in the medical malpractice insurance industry, before attending and graduating from Wartburg Theological Seminary. Good Shepherd and Pastor Ted have been involved with Justice Matters since its beginnings. He has served on a wide variety of Justice Matters issue teams, committees, and positions, including as a past co-president. Pastor Ted and his wife, Kim, have two grown daughters.

At-Large Member: Ann Hossler

Ann Hossler grew up in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and received a degree in Architecture from Kansas State. She and her husband moved to New York City following school, living and working in the city for almost 10 years. Ann and her family settled in Lawrence in 2011 after living in Brooklyn, Detroit, and Miami. She attends Vintage Church and has been a team leader in Justice Matters since its beginning. Her days include teaching Interior Architecture at KU, running a design business, and raising her two daughters.