
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
Read bio
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
Read bio
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
Read bio
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
Read bio
Lizzie Noumi
Mentor Coordinator

Lisa Plunket
Read bio
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
Read bio
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
Read bio
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
Read bio
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.