Who We Are
Director
Matt Podszus
Matt and his wife Kori moved to Chicago in 2013 to launch a campus-movement with The Navigators. After launching and leading this work for 7 years, they sensed God leading them to begin a work dedicated to the unique challenges and opportunities present on the urban campus.
With over 20 years of campus ministry and leadership experience, Matt is energized to partner broadly in seeing the Gospel grow among the future leaders represented on urban campuses.
Mentorship Director
Liz Russell
Liz moved to Chicago over a decade ago and started work in marketing not long after. In 2019 she knew it was time for something different when meeting with and mentoring her college-aged employees was the best part of her job.
When she isn’t out with Poema students or in classes for her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she can be found hanging out with her husband and cats, sipping coffee at her favorite coffee shop, or swimming in Lake Michigan with friends.
Intern
Meadow Gast
Meadow moved to Chicago in 2019 to attend Moody Bible Institute, where she is studying communications with an emphasis in design. She cares less about the medium, and more the message conveyed. Working with Poema is the perfect place to communicate a message that matters, with the goal of expanding the kingdom of God.
When she isn’t working, she can be found making lattes for her customers at the cafe she works art, creating different artistic pieces, and exploring the city.
What We Believe
Poema is an interdenominational campus ministry organization. We are not a church nor are we affiliated with a particular denomination.
More Info
If you would like more information about Poema and our work in the Chicago area, we would love to talk.
Board of Directors
The Poema Board
The Poema Board of Directors guides the vision and direction of our work. The board meets quarterly to plan strategically, maintain accountability within the organization, and actively seek to fulfill our calling. The board serves in staggered, 3-year terms.
President
Jamail Carter
Co-Founder Varuna
BS Vanderbilt University
MBA Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University
Jamail serves as board president, and offers a mature Christian perspective, a background in Christian service and leadership, and a commitment to the city of Chicago. Jamail’s leadership, entrepreneurial background, and keen eye for optimization make him the ideal board president. As does his passion for disciple-making.
He and his wife Keme live in the Hyde Park neighborhood and are deeply engaged with the University of Chicago community, where Keme serves as an associate professor of medicine. They also have three wonderful kids.
Vice President
Dr. John Yoon
Assistant Professor of Medicine, UChicago, Senior Faculty Advisor for the Hyde Park Institute, lay leader at Hyde Park Church
BS/BA Stanford University
MD University of Texas – Dallas
John and his wife Mary are lay leaders within a Chicago church network with a special focus on the campus. John is also a unifying, pastoral presence within the University of Chicago community. and an advocate to the churches and ministries working there. His heart for collaboration, spiritual depth, and love for people make him an ideal board vice president.
John and Mary live in the Bridgeport neighborhood with their six beautiful kids.
Treasurer
Mark Pridgeon
CFO RiverGlade Capital and former elder at La Salle Street Church
BA (Accounting) Michigan State University
MBA Kelley School, Indiana University
Mark is a faithful business, church, and community leader within Chicago. Mark’s background in finance make him an ideal treasurer, but his integrity, thoughtfulness, and love for God make him an ideal treasurer for Poema.
Mark and his wife Mackenzi live in the Hyde Park neighborhood, and are a gifted and faithfully engaged in the well-being of city of Chicago. They have two lively kids.
Mark will maintain access to Poema’s bank account and financial records, as managed and compiled by The Salesberry Group.
Secretary
Shayna Wildermuth
College Director at Build a Better Us (BBU), Director of Rise21
BS Illinois State University
With more than 15 years of collegiate ministry experience, Shayna is an invaluable asset to our board. Shayna co-directed the Navigator collegiate work with Matt for 5 years before moving into the role as college director for Build a Better Us, an Atlanta based non-profit that offers holistic growth through coaching, small groups, and events.
Shayna is currently building their campus movement, Rise21.
Shayna is a gifted leader, thinker, and activator—and is committed to seeing the Gospel grow among the marginalized.
In Collaboration With
Co-Creating Campus Movements
Poema works hand-in-hand with other ministries with the heart of reaching students on underserved campuses. We believe co-laboring and co-learning is far more powerful than going it alone. We want to be an asset to help you grow your ministry. Let’s collab!
