We are pleased to announce that the Nominating Committee is promoting the below Council Nominees (3 new) and Nominating Committee Nominees (6) for congregation approval at our Sunday, May 17th, 2026 congregation meeting (in alphabetical order by last name).
Returning Council Members (2) will seek congregation approval and they are: Chris Armfield and Cindy Jackson.
Returning Council Members (4) are not up for re-election and they are: Daniel Beeks, Kelly Edwards, Tim Klandrud, and Mark Krach.
For returning council member bios you can search the Esperanza website for the person’s name + Council Nominee or email Michael Paradise. Council Term Matrix can be found by clicking here.
Council (3 Nominees)
Kathryn Elsaesser
My husband Robert and I have been attending Esperanza since 2015 and I became a member in the Winter of this year. We have both lived in Ahwatukee for 23 years and I have 2 step-daughters.
Past Participation with Esperanza:
Served as a greeter
Member of Garden of Eatin’ for 3 years
Member of Thursday morning Bible Study for 10 years
Adopt a Street program volunteer
Feed my Starving Children volunteer
Career:
1989 – 1992 Served as Director of US Operations for Honduras Outreach a not for profit organization providing medical, spiritual, farming, and educational services in Honduras
1995 – 2012 Retired as Senior VP Healthways Corp.
Personal Church History:
I grew up in the United Methodist Church and was active as a child and adult for over 30 years. Upon moving to Phoenix in 1995 I joined Mission del Sol Presbyterian Church and continued in my support of Honduras Outreach by leading 5 mission groups to Honduras, being active in the DSG, and serving as an Elder. If called to serve, I look forward to expanding my church participation and growing with this loving community of believers.
Kelly Kartz
My husband Steve and I have been Esperanza members for about three years. We’re originally from the Midwest and have been married for 34 years. We have two children named Isaac and Naomi.
My church activities include:
Offering Counter, I-Help, Greeter, and Bible Study.
I have a BA in Business Administration and a partial degree in Landscape Contracting.
Tina Knoell
PERSONAL
My husband, Eddie, and I have been members of Esperanza Lutheran Church since early 2023. Previously, we were members of Alleluia Lutheran Church from 1996 until it closed in 2022. Eddie and I have been married for 47 years. We are blessed to have three sons (Greg, Mathew, and Andrew), two daughters in law (Emilie and Stephanie) and five grandchildren (Dagny, Henry, Edie, Abel, and Elijah). I am a life-long Lutheran, and it is important to me to be part of a spiritual community like Esperanza.
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
Alleluia Lutheran Church community:
* I served for four years as a Sunday School teacher with two of those years as director.
* I provided Children’s Messages during worship services on rotating Sundays along with two other Alleluia members.
* I participated in Alleluia’s choir for more than 10 years.
* I served on Church Council off and on throughout our time at Alleluia. Most notably, I was on council when our church went through a Transformational Ministry process. This required travelling to Chicago (one of five congregational Alleluia members to attend) and participate in a conference. We interacted with other ELCA churches to learn and share transformational ministry with our home congregations. Alleluia shifted focus from being Lutheran and to being open to all Christian backgrounds as a result. I served as Church Treasurer for the last five years of Alleluia’s church life.
Esperanza Lutheran Church community:
* I served on the most recent Call Committee.
* I provide Children’s Messages during worship services as often as the opportunity presents.
* I participate in Esperanza’s choir.
* I served on Esperanza’s Finance Team for the past two years.
* I serve on the offering counters team.
CAREER
Prior to my retirement in 2018, I worked as a Payroll Manager for a multi-state grocery retailer. Before that, I was employed in varied capacities with retailers Goldwaters, Mervyn’s, and Miller’s Outpost.
Nominating Committee (6 nominees):
Michelle Ageno
Hello. I’m Michelle Ageno. I’ve been a member since 1998. I’m originally from Colorado. I was raised Catholic and stopped going to Mass when I was about 12 years old. I became “born again” in college and was baptized. I moved to Tucson after I graduated with a MS in Nutrition from Colorado State University. I recently retired in 2025 after 40 years working as a Clinical Dietitian.
I did serve one year in missions in Central America with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and Verbo Ministry. I returned to Tucson and worked. I met my husband and moved to Ahwatukee. We were married in 1998 at Esperanza.
I was part of an out reach focused church in Tucson where we served the homeless. I was also part of the dance ministry and worship team.
I’m currently active with Woman’s Bible study, Mary’s Circle and choir.
Tyler Mueller
Family
Married to my beautiful wife, Jessica, for nearly 25 years. Children Grace and Ryan, both confirmed at Esperanza.
Church
Attended Esperanza starting in mid 2000s. Participated in a few FMSC events and enjoy supporting Children of Hope.
Career/Education
Degrees from NAU and ASU in electrical engineering.
Paige Somero
My name is Paige Somero and I served on Council for 4 years. Our family has been members of Esperanza since 2000, when we moved to Ahwatukee from Austin, Texas. My husband, Brad, and I have two children, Madison (24) and Caleb (21). Madison is pursuing her PharmD at UofA and Caleb is graduating this May with Mechanical Engineering from ASU. When I have time, I like to read, hike, spend time with friends and watch sports. I have worked for Motorola/Freescale/NXP as an engineer for over 30 years.
I was raised in a family where service and church involvement (from VBS leader to nursery attendant) was a key component of our family life and have carried that belief into my own family. I have been involved in teaching Sunday School, coordinating Ladies Night Out events, current church council member, playing in the Bell Choir and currently singing in the Choir. As our parents were examples to us, it is important that we are examples to our children. We believe where your Passions and Priorities are, so too should be your Time. Esperanza is a very important part of our family. Brad and I have raised our children here. I would consider it an honor to continue to serve Esperanza Lutheran Church in the council.
Donna Sparber
Church activities:
Served on Esperanza Church Council from 2024 – 2026
Representative to Grand Canyon Synod meeting, 2006
Served as council member 2007 to 2010, part of the time as council secretary
Served on call committee, 2007
Served on nominating committee, 2022
Since 2012, coordinated Family Promise volunteering with host congregation St. Benedict Catholic Church. Esperanza volunteers provided the evening meal for guests in transitional housing (this should be restarting this summer!) Member of Esperanza since 2004
Retired in 2001 from a career in telecommunications as an engineer and manager
Two grown daughters (Florida and Wisconsin), both married, and two granddaughters
Interests: travel, figure skating, family tree, geology, walking, biking
KC Quah
Member Since: Aug 2006
Church Activities: Served on Esperanza Church Council from 2024 – 2026
Assisted with Finance Team Transition Planning 2025
Usher, Communion Assistant, Call Committee
Career: 29 years at Intel, 5+ years Gartner, recently retired Jun 2023
Family: Married to Christine Kids: Eliza and Isaac
Julie Valenzuela
Church Activities: Member since 1994
- Served on Esperanza Church Council from 2022 – 2024
- Was responsible for fellowship activities
- Currently help with other fellowship activities, such as dinners, parties, funerals
- Volunteer for greeter, communion, usher, PowerPoint operator for church slideshow
- Participate in the Prayer Chain community
- Member of the Wednesday Mary Circle
- Volunteer on the Green team and clean up on our Adopt a Street program
- Volunteer in Pancake Breakfast at Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Phoenix
Career: Various capacities in Intel Human Resources Benefits operations.
Family: Husband Ralph, children JJ and Leah, 6 grandkids.