Meet the 2025-2026 Global Theological Fellows

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CANDACE BOYD SIMMONS

Candace Boyd Simmons brings 20 years of non profit and marketing experience to the table. She is active with the Indiana Region of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ serving as a ministry associate and program coordinator. Her work supports the Commission on Ministry and coordinates the Reconciliation Program for the Region. An Indiana native, Candace is a graduate of Lawrence North High School and holds degrees in Organizational Management and Non Profit Leadership from Huntington University. Candace is currently a MDIV & MTS student at Christian Theological Seminary. Her work focuses on food justice and our shared table of community. She is passionate about community and food access and shares her talents via various justice centered community organizations.

BRIANA CRUZ

A passionate advocate for justice and cultural understanding, Briana Cruz is currently pursuing her Master of Theological Studies in Latinx Studies at Lexington Theological Seminary. Briana believes in a diverse world brimming with stories that reflect God's expansive love and call to justice. Her insights are informed by significant hands-on experience, including volunteering with asylum seekers from 2018 to 2020, where she assisted with crucial paperwork and travel arrangements.

Briana also founded and led "Little Big Disciples," a children's ministry dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and outreach to vulnerable populations. Coupled with her work with the Indigenous community in Chihuahua, Mexico, these experiences have cultivated a unique perspective, moving beyond societal stereotypes to see the inherent dignity and divine presence in all. Outside of her impactful work, Briana enjoys hiking, cherished moments with her husband and adult children, and the joyful company of her two Goldendoodle pups.

ANNIKA FULLER

Starting in fall 2025, I will be attending the University of Chicago for the dual degree program offered, working towards a Master’s in Divinity and a Master’s in Social Work. I am excited to be entering such a rigorous program involving the academic study of religion. I eagerly anticipate diving deeper into my own religion as well as others, because I believe understanding each other is crucial.

I seek to be ordained in the Disciples of Christ denomination because of the ability to serve churches from both DOC and United Church of Christ backgrounds. This prospect appeals to me since I have close ties to both. As someone who grew up in the DOC church, I came to appreciate both the similarities and differences of the UCC church when I served as a Ministry Associate at Congregational UCC in Sarasota, Florida.

Due to my history with both the UCC and the DOC, I wish to pursue more interfaith and ecumenical opportunities throughout my academic and professional career. I hope to find a church community to serve while studying in Chicago, where I can share my gifts as a musician.

My past work as a Global Ministries Intern has instilled in me the importance of connection because of its ability to create stronger and broader communities. I am grateful for and look forward to the opportunities of building these communities that the Global Theological Fellows program will present.

CHRYS LAMPLEY

My undergrad is in print journalism from Rust College. I’m currently attending Lexington Theological Seminary for my MDiv through their online program. While serving as the associate pastor for First Christian Church Rogers in Arkansas. But home is Birmingham Alabama where I joined church through youth ministry. Which saved my life by showing me that Jesus loves me fully flaws and all. That is the greatest driver for my passion of youth ministry. In my free time I do kickboxing, write poetry and watch lots of movies!

LEIGH LARSON

I am an avid traveler, humanitarian, and scholar. I have written three children's books about national parks narrated by my dog, Professor Huckleberry. I discuss theology, social justice, and history to my social media following of over 100,000 (@followtheleighder). I have served international humanitarian roles in Botswana (climate change), Mexico (immigration justice), and Pakistan (Taliban/war refugees). I hold leadership positions for my local Junior League and Rotary chapters. I sit on the Student Senate for Phillips Theological Seminary, and I will graduate in December 2025 with my MTS before going on to pursue my DMin. I was a finalist for the Stone-Campbell Journal's 2025 Graduate Student Essay contest. I am originally from Texas and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin as a Presidential Scholar. I served in the US Air Force Reserve Chaplain Corps after college graduation, and served DoC churches in Denver, Colorado, and Great Falls, Montana. I dabbled in the corporate tech sector for a few years as a graphic designer, but now own my graphic design business. I enjoy public speaking and traveling across my now-home-state of Montana to deliver talks on women's rights and indigenous history. You can find me enjoying a cup of tea while tapping my foot to Stevie Nicks, or perhaps hogging all the chips and queso at a local Tex-Mex dive.

LATICIA LEE

Rev. Laticia Lee is a prophetic voice, transformational leader, and visionary entrepreneur whose ministry bridges faith, justice, and holistic community healing. Deeply rooted in Richmond, Virginia, she has dedicated her life to creating spaces where people. Especially those hurt by institutional religion to encounter God in liberating, practical, and Spirit-filled ways.

Rev. Lee is a three-time graduate of Virginia Union University, where she earned a B.S. in Accounting, a Master of Divinity, and an M.A. in Christian Education. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Phillips Theological Seminary with a concentration in Global Studies and serves as a Global Fellow in the Faith & Justice cohort. A certified Adult Mental Health First Aider, she integrates emotional wellness and spiritual formation in every aspect of her ministry and leadership.

She is the Founder and Lead Pastor of The Ministry Church, a Disciples of Christ community in Richmond’s urban core that centers healing, deliverance, and justice for young adults impacted by church hurt, grief, and marginalization. The Ministry Church reimagines what church can be intimate, Spirit-led, radically inclusive, and committed to truth-telling and transformation. Rev. Lee curates hybrid worship and discipleship spaces designed to restore story, identity, and power in a generation seeking spiritual authenticity.

In addition to her pastoral leadership, Rev. Lee serves as Director of Ministries at The Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where she oversees ministry operations, trains lay leaders, and curates educational programming across generations. She also serves as Chapel Coordinator at Rise Richmond Academy and regularly preaches at Beaumont Men’s Prison, embodying her commitment to ministering in hard and holy spaces.

Her justice work extends beyond the church walls. Rev. Lee is leading a statewide faith-based initiative in Virginia to mobilize congregations around climate resilience and health equity. Her efforts help faith communities understand how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized populations, especially Black and Brown communities, and how public health, environmental justice, and spiritual care must be addressed together. Through education, organizing, and prophetic advocacy, she equips leaders to take faithful action toward equity and sustainability.

Rev. Lee is also the founder of ME by Lee Marie LLC, a coaching and consulting practice that supports individuals and ministries in becoming more Spirit-led, culturally aware, and transformational in their approach to leadership, program design, and community impact.

Anchored by Luke 4:18-19 and Acts 2:1-8, Rev. Lee’s ministry is animated by a deep belief in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom, healing, and prophetic change. Her coaching, preaching, and teaching challenge others to reclaim their voice, discern their divine purpose, and pursue justice with boldness and compassion.

Whether building curriculum, preaching the gospel, or organizing faith communities, Rev. Lee remains committed to the work of forming people and churches that truly reflect God’s heart for liberation, healing, and beloved community.

MARCI MAZZA-FREDLEY

Marci Mazza-Fredley is a second-year graduate student in the Master of Divinity program at Vanderbilt Divinity School. As a recent graduate of Bethany College located in Bethany, West Virginia, Marci received her bachelor's degree in political science, while also studying religion and social justice. At Vanderbilt, she continues her theological studies focusing on spirituality and social activism, as well as the ethical framework of societal structures alongside religious practice. Marci was also a HELM fellow, as well as a Disciples Peace Intern during her pursuit of her undergraduate degree.

VALERIE OUILLETTE

I was blessed to grow up in a multi-faith family surrounded by Christian, Jewish, and Indigenous peoples—a large portion of the community in which I was raised treasured critical thinking and deep conversations. Although I was raised in a secular home, the diversity of thought and community was the foundation of my spiritual life, thanks to my family. This led me to my congregation in 2017 after Hurricane Maria affected my family. The Current Spiritual Community has been a loving source of support and comfort, helping me grow into my own. We are a community that engages in the deep conversations of my childhood while living out the commitment of 'Love Thy Neighbor' at our core. My spiritual community led me to United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, where I am currently in my second year and working on my M.Div. in Interreligious Chaplaincy.

While my childhood provided wonderful moments, it was also filled with the chaos of dysfunction. Not everyone in our tight-knit farming community was a fan of my parents being a biracial (Indigenous/Latino and Caucasian) couple. It should come as no surprise that we were on the receiving end of ignorance and hate. Add to that, my father, having been a former combat vet, fought his demons with alcohol. Along the way, I found a 12-Step group for adult children of alcoholics and began the road to healing.

As we are all a culmination of our experiences, mine have led me to my ministry today. My ministry is to support others on their journey to healing from trauma. I am a lay minister who provides congregational pastoral care, facilitates an Adult Children of Alcoholics meeting, and a Death Cafe for not only my community but also anyone in need. Utilizing my love of interfaith dialogue and Indigenous culture, I recently started a Wild Church to help my community begin to heal from religious trauma by rediscovering the divinity in nature. Living in the Everglades, for me, is the perfect place to do this. There is only one River of Grass in the world, and I am blessed to live here on my ancestral land. What better place to teach others about our interdependence with nature than in such a sacred space?

In addition to my seminary studies and ministry work, I also work in higher education. I live in Naples, FL with my husband, Tom, and my adult son, Colin. We share our home with one senior Lab mix, four cats who keep us on our toes, and a horse who came to stay with us for a few weeks in 2005 and has been with us for twenty years now. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, discovering small local restaurants, telling stories, immersing myself in nature, and attending local comedy clubs.

ALVILLE SAMUELS

Alville J. Samuels was introduced to the faith as a youth and answered the call to discipleship in 2009. He is a son of Shepherd Park Christian Church (SPCC) who dove into ministry immediately following his baptism. Al has served as Chair of Christian Education with a focus on Christian Youth Fellowship. He is a servant leader whom have also served on the Pastoral Relations Committee, as a choir member, and on various other subcommittees and ministries.

Al is a US Marine Veteran who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Science from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum & Instruction, with a concentration in Equity, Ethics, and Justice from Concordia University. He works as a Home Improvement Contractor and currently serves SPCC as an Elder and Vice President of Disciple Men’s Ministry. Al has answered the call to preach the Gospel and is considered a Minister in Training (MIT), working on a M.DIV. in Pastoral Counseling at Liberty University. He is married to his spirit-mate, Latisha, for the past 25 years, and they are raising up their 3 children in Christ: Aysia, Aubrey, and Leeam.

HAYDEN SKAGGS

Hayden Skaggs is a first-year student at The University of Chicago Divinity School where he is pursuing a dual master’s in divinity and master’s in social work. Passionate about social justice and education, he is interested in using his education to help teach others and create positive change in communities. Originally from Mansfield, Texas, Hayden began his academics at Eureka College, graduating in 2025 with a degree in philosophy/religion and sociology/psychology.

During his undergraduate years, Hayden worked at his church, working with the youth to foster commitments to service and care for justice. This experience, alongside his experiences working with organizations at Eureka College helped him discern his vocational and educational plans to become a professor where he envisions himself educating students and ensuring that the support they need is provided.