Meet the Young Adult Core Team

The Core Team has answered the call and responsibility to serve both their individual apostolate as well as the entirety of young adults who participate in City on a Hill. They seek to share their gifts and talents to propel the mission forward through their leadership and investment in their peers.

  • Adam Pane

    HOSPITALITY

    “There have been thousands of seeds planted in my heart that eventually has lead me to being a leader within the City on a Hill community. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, it all began years ago with one person’s invitation—and then another, and so on.

    Hospitality and friendship are what built the bridge that lead to my conversion. We all desire change in this world, and it begins within our family, our friend groups, and the communities we are involved in.”

  • Alissa Muggli

    CONNECT KC

    Alissa has been working with the City on a Hill ConnectKC team since January 2024 and is excited to help welcome others into the Catholic young adult community through this ministry. She moved to Kansas City in 2022 and works as a consulting engineer at Black and Veatch.

    “The gifts I received from City on a Hill are so many they are hard to count — I have made warm, sincere, and fun friendships, and I have been met with new insights drawing me closer to God through conversations with friends.”

  • Moses & Kate Tinio

    ENCOUNTER TEAM

    “Young adult ministry has always been a shared passion of ours and we feel honored to help. We believe in the power of community to strengthen faith and support one another in our spiritual journeys. Being part of a Catholic community has helped to bring us both closer to Christ and to each other as we grow in faith, hope, and charity.

    As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, "the value of life does not depend upon the place we occupy. It depends upon the way we occupy that place." We feel called to occupy our place by serving others and deepening our bond with Christ through this apostolate!”

  • Brian Buechler

    CATHOLIC CHALLENGE SPORTS

    “Many young adults in our society find themselves living amid unsettling transience and pressing questions of faith. City on a Hill boldly proposes that the source of stability and answers is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nurtured by His Church.

    I serve with City on a Hill because I believe in the urgency of its mission and the effectiveness of its model for evangelizing and sanctifying young adults. The community offers something of value for all young adults, regardless of their state in life or spiritual journey.”

  • Brandi Stackelbeck

    SISTERHOOD COMMUNITY

    I serve on the leadership team because of the ways City on a Hill has blessed me. This community has surrounded me with men and women that encourage and call me higher in my walk with the Lord. I am incredibly thankful for the Christ centered friendships I’ve gained, especially through Sisterhood.

    It’s my hope that many other young adults will find a home in and be blessed by this community!

  • John Lechtenberg

    BAND OF BROTHERS COMMUNITY

    John lives in Lenexa and works as a Sales Coach for Corporate Cleaning Group.

    "I chose to serve on City on a Hill's Core Team because of the passion I have for Christ and the opportunity to spread His love to other young adult men and women in the Kansas City area."

  • Mia Palitto

    SISTERHOOD COMMUNITY

    It’s a true blessing to have the opportunity to serve the women of City on a Hill. The community has been instrumental in my conversion to the Catholic faith, and COAH became the gateway to forming deep, Christ-centered friendships.

    I’m honored to help create a space where women can connect and grow in authentic friendships!

  • Matthew Connell

    BAND OF BROTHERS COMMUNITY

    Matthew has been involved in Band of Brothers since moving back home to Kansas City in 2022 and is honored to play a role in fostering Christ-centered fraternity within City on a Hill.

    “As one who has benefitted greatly through my participation in Band of Brothers, I believe strongly in the importance of our mission of bringing men together to grow in relationship with each other and with Christ.”

Meet the City on a Hill Staff

  • Dr. Luke Murray

    INTERIM DIRECTOR

    After spending time in the seminary and in higher education, Dr. Murray worked in young adult ministry (at KU) and then in education as he was the founding Headmaster for a new Catholic High School in the area. He is excited to bring his love of ministry, education, and development together to help City on a Hill flourish and grow.

    Dr. Murray loves playing cards with his wife and three daughters, engaging in philosophical conversations, and singing Irish folk songs around a campfire with friends.

    Email Dr. Luke

  • Macy Becker

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Macy was raised in a small town in Kansas alongside her three brothers and two sisters. Her family is one of the greatest joys of her life, especially her nieces and nephew. Macy attended Fort Hays State University and it was there that the Catholic faith and the Heart of Jesus for her became not just an option, but a treasure. She worked in college campus ministry from 2017-2024 and is beyond grateful to now have the opportunity to encourage and champion young adults in their walk with the Lord. 

    Macy loves coffee (in any form, but preferably dark roast), dancing, bacon and taking every opportunity life gives for adventure. Let her know if there are any fun places in KC (especially coffee shops and anywhere that serves breakfast) that she should visit!

    Email Macy

  • Emily Molinaro

    OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

    Emily is a St. Louis native who is happy to call Kansas City home. She earned her undergraduate degree from Missouri State University and her MBA from Maryville University of St. Louis. City on a Hill has been an important part of building friendships and community in her life and she is thrilled to be using her time and talent to work with the young adults of Kansas City.

    Emily loves taking her dog to the dog park, watching musicals, cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and hanging out with friends. She is a firm believer that is never too cold for iced coffee or ice cream.

    Email Emily

  • Father Adam Haake

    CHAPLAIN

    Fr. Adam Haake was born in Kansas City, and spent most of his youth in Raytown, MO before entering seminary after attending Missouri State University. Now is a priest for the Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph, and is the pastor at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in Lee’s Summit, MO. He serves part-time as a co-chaplain of City on a Hill.

    In his free time, Fr. Haake enjoys exploring the local Kansas City scene, reading books, and grilling out. His favorite saint is St. Peter.

  • Father Dan Morris

    CHAPLAIN

    Fr. Dan Morris was born in Topeka, KS and entered seminary after working secularly. He was ordained in May of 2015 and is currently the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas & is in residence at Sacred Heart in Shawnee. He serves, just part-time, as a co-chaplain of City on a Hill.

    His favorite place to relax is defined by it being a place that nobody else knows where he is. First car, Nissan Sentra. Favorite saint is St. John the Beloved.

  • Deacon Tim Wise

    PASTORAL SUPPORT

    Tim was ordained as a permanent deacon to serve the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas in June 2024. He has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 34 years and is the father of 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Tim and his wife live in Olathe where he serves the St. Paul parish. He worked for over 35 years as a chemical engineer for DuPont before retiring in 2022.

    Tim is passionate about living out his vocation as a servant of God, his family, and the Church. He and his wife enjoy various ministries in the Church. His favorite hobby is running; he set a goal in 2022 to run a half marathon in every state, and he is currently halfway there with a goal of completing all 50 states by the end of 2028!

Meet the Board of Directors

As a non-profit corporation in the state of Missouri, there is a law that each organization must have a Board of Directors of at least three people. When Bishop Johnston blessed the decision for City on a Hill to form its own non-profit, the exciting work began of recruiting the first-ever Board of Directors for City on a Hill.

City on a Hill is grateful to the nine members who serve on the board, as their knowledge and insight has proven particularly helpful as organizational decisions have been made. The Board oversees the business operations of City on a Hill, including (but not limited to), budget oversight, decisions regarding employment of staff, basic vision-casting, and growth or expansion of City on a Hill!

Please pray for the Board of Directors, as they continue to discuss and plan for the future of City on a Hill, so that City on a Hill may continue its outreach & pursuit of forming saints in Kansas City!

  • Andy Flattery

    Andy Flattery has previous involvement in City on a Hill, particularly through his involvement in Catholic Challenge Sports, where he served for a time as CCS Board President. He met his wife, Genevra, through City on a Hill and they now reside in the Northland raising three beautiful chi!dren Andy has his own financial advising business, called Simple Wealth. Give him a call for all your financial planning needs!

  • Gordon Schmitz

    Gordon Schmitz has been actively involved with City on a Hill in a variety of ways since moving to Kansas City in 2017. He works as a software engineering manager and is excited to serve City on a Hill in this new way. Gordon resides in Lenexa with his wonderful wife Katrina and their two boys and they are parishioners at Our Lady of Good Counsel.

  • Emily Lopez

    Emily Lopez serves on the City on a Hill board as a liaison for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas through her role in the Office of Adult Evangelization and Young Adult Ministry. Her family, husband David and five children, live in Overland Park, Kansas. With two young adult (and counting) children, this ministry holds a very special place in Emily's heart. She sees the authentically faithful community of City on a Hill as a source of great hope and joy for our local Church.

  • Sean Cailteux

    Sean Cailteux was involved in City on a Hill, particularly Catholic Challenge Sports, a few years back. He is now married to his beautiful wife, Jamie, and they are blessed with four children. They reside in the Northland as parishioners at St. Andrew’s parish. Sean works as a chiropractor and is generous enough to sit on the Board of Directors, amidst his involvement in various other commitments!

  • Michele Kueny

    Michele Kueny loves her some Jesus. She is a wife to Pat, a mom to Sean and Clara, and Michele has been in marketing longer than many young adults have been alive. Her marketing know-how has proved valuable in the short tenure of the board, and she has proved a valuable member of the board in numerous ways. We are honored to have Michele on the Board of Directors, as we know she is honored to serve an incredible generation of future Saints.

  • Dino Durando

    Dino Durando sits on the Board of Directors as a representative for the Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph, where he works as the director of the Domestic Church and Discipleship Office. Dino's office oversaw the City on a Hill operations for many years, and was an instrumental part in seeing City on a Hill become its own independent apostolate. Dino, with his lovely wife, Kathy, lives on a small farm north of Kansas City, and together they have 10 children (and a number of animals). Dino's knowledge of the history of City on a Hill is extremely valuable to current oversight of City on a Hill.

  • Ferd Niemann

    Ferd Niemann

    Ferd Niemann was involved in City on a Hill from 2009-2015, including Catholic Challenge Sports, the Meyer Catholic Quarter, and Band of Brothers (where he served as the BoB Leader for over five years). Ferd met his amazing wife Angela through City on a Hiil as well. They have three children, live in the Northland, and attend church at St. Andrew’s in Gladstone. Ferd owns a growing law firm and he owns, operates, and syndicates mobile home parks throughout the Midwest.

  • Paul Rodriguez

    Paul Rodriguez serves City on a Hill as a board member who believes strongly in the organization’s mission and recognizes the importance of forming young adults in the image and likeness of God. He is married to his incredible wife, Joy, and are blessed with five children. Paul works as a partner for a CPA firm and resides in South Kansas City and is a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel.