Meet our staff!
Rev. Shawna Bowman, Executive Director and Pastor
Rev. Shawna Bowman (they/them/theirs) is an artist and pastor. They are the first called and installed pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church and have been doing ministry with the creative and justice-seeking folks there since 2011. In 2019 Friendship launched a not for profit called Friendship Community Place to create a neighborhood hub as a collaborative and resource rich space on the NWSide of Chicago, Shawna serves as the Executive Director. Shawna is a trained educator and artist that graduated with a studio art and education degree from Iowa Wesleyan College and completed a M.Div. at McCormick Theological Seminary where they have also served as Affiliate Faculty. Shawna and their wife Jennie are doing intergenerational life with their three young adult children and their good dog Bentley in the Portage Park Neighborhood in Chicago where Shawna’s love to garden, make art and cook all the good things to eat. Shawna would love to conspire with you over a cup of coffee or have you over for dinner if you’re hungry for some good food and good chaos. (Picture credit: Rich Copeland)
Al Grippe, Development Director
Al (they/them/theirs) is passionate about raising dollars to create change. After earning their B.A. in Sociology, Al started their career as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Vermont serving at a nonprofit creating and implementing youth-centric programs. After earning their Masters in Management they moved to Chicago in 2008. It was in Chicago that they began their 16 year tenure working in development in the higher education sector, researching funding opportunities and securing millions of dollars for the institution-primarily in grant funding. During this same period, they achieved a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) candidacy with a completion date that is just around the corner. They are now excited to return to non-profit work and serve as the Director of Development with Friendship. They have a long history of community involvement and love to find creative and collaborative solutions to help make change. Al’s hobbies include spending time with their wife, Dina, and three children, watching women’s sports (especially USWNT, Chicago Stars, and Chicago Sky!), traveling, and playing with their rescue pitbull, Felicia.
Kasey Trouba, Operations Manager
Kasey (she/her/hers) is a Chicago based jack of all trades. After graduating from Loyola University Chicago in 2017, she came onboard at Friendship as their administrative assistant. In preparation for our move into 5150, her role grew into its current iteration as Operations Manager. She is beyond grateful to be a member of Friendship’s community, and delights in supporting this group carry out their mission. When she isn’t serving the fine folks at Friendship, she can be found producing shows for local storytelling and burlesque groups. Outside of work, Kasey has many hobbies, including: gardening, film photography, metalsmithing/jewelry making, camping, hiking, and general carpentry projects (just to name a few!) She lives in Portage Park with her wife, Allison, and their two cats, Mac and Cheese, as well as one sweet pup, Mimolette. (Picture credit: Hannah Terwin)
Andrew Shen, Kitchen Assistant
Hi, I’m Andrew (he/him/his)! I’m from Belize, Central America. I’ve been a part of Friendship since 2023. My Wife and I were dating when she introduced me and immediately I took a liking to Friendship. I found a community that was welcoming, open to the experience and views of others, and focused on social justice. I started volunteering at Friendship kitchen helping out occasionally with meal service and dish washing. Eventually, when there was a call for a Kitchen Assistant, after some reflection I realized that this was a huge calling. And it has been one that I am so joyful to have answered. Being Kitchen Assistant for Friendship has tapped into my three favorite hobbies: 1) Finding discounts 2) Cooking 3) Cooking a lot of food! I’m very optimistic about my future with Friendship Presbyterian Church. I found a community and a home filled with friends, chosen family and great food! Welcome and feel free to drop by have a snack or meal with us!
Josh Lava, Musician
Josh Lava (he/him/his) is a musical chameleon who has amassed an impressive and eclectic body of work as a multi-instrumentalist, producer/engineer, composer, and songwriter across the genre spectrum. Whether he's composing for full orchestra, performing live with a jazz trio, or producing an electronic dance track, Josh is musically at home pretty much anywhere.
Meet our leaders!
Friendship’s Board Members are elected to serve as the leaders of our community and they guide us from one chapter to the next with compassionate care. They are responsible for the fiduciary oversight, visioning, strategic planning, and the mission of Friendship. Members of Friendship Presbyterian Church’s Session also serve as Board Members of Friendship Community Place.
Members of the Board and Session chair the five teams that collaborate with one another to coordinate the work of the church and Friendship Community Place. Those teams are:
Mission & Partnerships Team
The Mission & Partnerships Team coordinates with current partner organizations and cultivates new relationships in our community. They are responsible for our kitchen programming and curate faith and community based programming that speaks to Friendship’s commitments.
Personnel & Nominating Team
The Personnel & Nominating Team is responsible for HR related tasks, leadership development for both staff and Friendship leaders, Session and Board recruitment, and annual personnel evaluations.
Finance & Investments Team
The Finance & Investments Team is responsible for the drafting of and oversight of annual budgets, regular accounting, our investment portfolio, financial planning, and stewardship and fundraising campaigns. This team also includes a Grant-writing subteam that works in collaboration with staff.
Space Utilization Team
The Space Utilization Team is responsible for maintaining our space, planning creatively and strategically for the use of our space and implementing processes and policies for use of our space. This team manages the renting and usage of Friendship’s spaces.
Our leaders in their own words:
Iris Farley (she/her) | Session and Board Member
I am a member of the Session at Friendship Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Board of Friendship Community Place. I also am the Team Lead for the Personnel & Nominating (P&N) Committee. The P&N committee acts, essentially, as the Human Resources function for the church. The committee also has an important role in developing and nominating volunteer leadership, including those who will serve as members of Session (Elders), Deacons, and FCP Board Members.
What inspires me to serve as part of the leadership team at Friendship is the opportunity to bring my experience in Human Resources to the challenge of building sustainable infrastructure that will guide both the church and Friendship Community Place into the future. I am also continually inspired by Friendship's commitment to including everyone, and fighting for social justice. The opportunity to serve in an organization that is so committed to the rights and needs of marginalized communities is deeply resonant with me, and I look forward to seeing what we can do together in the future!
I am in the midst of a career change at the moment, moving from a 33-year career in corporate organizations into the counseling profession, with plans to serve mental health needs in the LGBTQIA+ community. I have just moved back to Chicago after a few years away, and so my wife and I are enjoying our new neighborhood, and exploring all that the city has to offer.
Mark Flinchum (he/him) | Treasurer of Session, Board
Having served as a Session member in one of our legacy congregations, I have been inspired to continue my long-term connection to the PCUSA. Belonging to a community of faith that reflects Christian values has always been important to me, and FPC demonstrates through its mission and worship a commitment grounded in service, generosity, and respect toward others. I currently serve as Acting Treasurer on the Finance Committee and intermittent reader on Sunday mornings.
Outside of church, my life as a retired teacher usually consists of time spent with my wife, children, grandchildren, friends, and the numerous pets in our extended family.
Angelina Gussman (she/her) | Board Member
My name is Angelina Gussman and I’m a board member, a member of Mission & Partnership and the Kitchen Crew at Friendship Community Place. My inspiration for joining is to help bring community and kindness to those who live near and far. To help those who haven’t felt seen, heard or excepted because they are different, and that everyone feels their voices are heard, that they have a place that accepts them, they can get at least one hot meal a week and they have a friend if they need one. In my spare time I sit on a commission at my home church. I love to travel with my family as much as possible, enjoy going to the theater, chilling with friends and exploring this amazing city we call home.
JJ Johnson (they/them) | Session Member, Board Chair
I am so thankful to bring my skills as a connector, envisioner, educator, and thought partner/brainstormer to my roles in leadership at Friendship. I serve as the Board Chair of Friendship Community Place and on Friendship Presbyterian Church's Session Board as an Elder. Specifically, I work within the worship and finance teams and am also involved in leadership related to Friendship's Queer Group and our Community Garden. I am inspired to be a leader at Friendship because the people I get to work alongside are so brave. They take risks and work together with one another and everyone in the community rather than doing the work "for" or "to" others. This community is welcoming, affirming, and celebratory of people's whole stories and all of who they are. This means I feel like I can be my full self and bring all of who I am here. I can develop new things in community, take risks, ask questions, push back on assumptions, and feel really valued as I value the community. When I'm not volunteering at Friendship I am a scientist and serve as a connector, envisioner, educator, thought partner, team builder, and encourager within a university faculty environment. I write grants and track outcomes, among many other jobs. I am also an avid gardener and love hanging out with my tween aged son.
Mark Rinnan (he/him) | Session and Board Member
Role: FPC Session and FCP Board Member, Lead of Space Utilization Team
What inspires me to serve in leadership at Friendship?
My faith is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, in particular to love one another. To me, in the world today, that means providing the dignity to all that comes with nourishment and shelter. My gifts include the freedom that comes from retirement from careers in civil engineering/urban planning and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves. I chose to apply my gifts to improve the physical space we occupy and maximize use of our space for the betterment of the community. Outside of Friendship, I enjoy my family, outdoor activities including aerobic bicycling, and following the sport of Forumla 1 racing.
Kathleen Stear (she/her) | Clerk of Session, Secretary of Board
Role: Clerk of Session – Secretary – FCP Board Member – Presbytery Commissioner – Worship Team
What inspires me to serve in leadership at Friendship?
I have been inspired by the many church leaders that I have known over the years/decades. As I have merged and grown into this community, I came to realize that I, too, have a duty and responsibility to participate as a leader. The support, encouragement, and teaching from others has nurtured my gifts which has increased my confidence in my own skills and abilities making me more willing to share them.
Emily Sutton (she/her) | Session and Board Member
Role: Session/Board member, Digital Deacon, Nature nerd
What inspires me to serve in leadership at Friendship?
It is my belief that Friendship is a true expression of our faith in God and vision of what a life of spiritual connection and collaboration engender. I very much enjoy serving others in multiple ways in a spirit of creativity and solidarity. On a personal note, I am inspired by others, their stories and their lives. There is always more to learn and share together, constantly growing, transforming, and celebrating the amazing diversity of our world.