Dr. Wanda Walborn
Empower Director

Wanda led the team that designed the Empower Program. As a church planter, she created curriculum for both children and women’s ministries. Wanda has a background in education and is currently an Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation at Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Ron. They have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren. Training, equipping and releasing strong leaders to advance the kingdom of God is her passion.

Ashley Tringale

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Ashley Tringale

Assistant Director

Ashley has been involved with Empower since it’s start in 2012. She has served as a mentor since 2013 and loves walking alongside women in their Empower journey. She works full time as the Executive Pastor at Risen King Church and spends the rest of her time being mom to her 4 crazy wonderful children. “God moved powerfully in my life through Empower- and I love to see that take place in the lives of others- God is using empower to build his church and engage his people in their gifts and calling”

Valerie Nash

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Valerie Nash

Global Strategist - Alumnae

Valerie courageously entered the Empower Program in 2013 after the birth of her ninth child. As a graduate, she has remained connected with a network of leaders that have assisted her in women’s ministry. She is a pastor’s wife, involved in international missions, and a church planter in South Jersey alongside her husband Bob. “Knowing those I was leading would only go as far as I would go, I chose to take Empower to go deeper with Christ and confidently lead others to do the same.”

Vanessa Castor

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Vanessa Castor

Global Strategist - Recruitment

Vanessa graduated from Empower in 2019. Through Empower, Vanessa heard and answered God’s call to full-time ministry and enrolled as an MDiv student at Alliance Theological Seminary. She lives in Hewlett, NY, with her husband Teddy and daughter Hannah. “Empower transformed my life, and I am excited to be a part of a movement that empowers women around the world.”

Lizzie Noumi

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Lizzie Noumi

Mentor Coordinator

I was introduced to the Empower program in 2014 and after graduating, I continued to serve and be involved.
My passion is to see the Kingdom of God advance and to take part in His revival around the world, amongst all people and all cultures. I believe it takes healthy disciples to fulfill God’s assignment and to see The Church thrive.
Empower gave me a safe space to experience healing, a secure platform to develop my gifts, and provide a community of ladies willing to walk beside me and help sharpen my leadership skills.

Lisa Plunket

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Lisa Plunket

Prayer Coordinator

Lisa is one of the founding members and original prayer warriors of Empower. She has served in international missions, was a church-planter, and now leads as Pastor of Spiritual Life at Risen King Alliance Church with her husband, Mike. They live in New City, NY and have 2 grown children, Joseph and Anna.

Sandy Kang

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Sandy Kang

Proclaim Coordinator

Sandy received her B.A. in Social Welfare at U.C. Berkeley and her M.A. in Religious Studies with an emphasis in Missions at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In 2002, she and her husband joined San Jose Christian Alliance Church as missionary candidates and now serve as senior leaders (with their four daughters). Since 2011, she has been the founding director of Gateway Preschool Academy. Sandy joined Empower in 2016 as the first live stream student. Her ministry passion is to develop and empower courageous leaders of all ages to be powerful ambassadors for Christ.

Anne Reis

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Anne Reis

Engage Coordinator

Anne participated in EmpowerOne during the 2019/2020 year. She lives in Jersey City with her husband Pedro, and two children, Ryan and Paige. Anne is extremely passionate about pursuing Christ in community in order to see kingdom transformation. “My Empower experience allowed me to take an honest look at who I am and in doing so move from a predominantly intellectual knowledge and love for the Lord to a new depth of intimacy and freedom.”

Laura Tonra

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Laura Tonra

Administrative Operations

Laura graduated from Empower in 2014 and has continued serving to see other women find the freedom to then be launched confidently into their calling.

She is a pastor’s wife and serves beside her husband at their church in NJ. Laura and her family are passionate about working with at-risk youth in their community.  She and her husband Chris have 6 children, 4 of them adopted through foster care.  “My healing experience of Empower has allowed me to walk confidently in my calling to equip and mentor others”