Staff
Andrew Marin, President and Founder
Andrew Marin is the President and Founder of The Marin Foundation (www.themarinfoundation.org), a public charity working to build bridges between the LGBT community and conservatives through biblical and social education, scientific research and diverse community gatherings. He has a BA in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MA in Urban Studies with concentrations in Social Change and Theology from Eastern University. Andrew is the author of the award winning book Love Is an Orientation (2009), and its interactive six-session DVD Curriculum (2011). Since 2010 he has been asked by the United Nations to advise their various agencies on issues of faith, sexuality and cultural and theological aspects of reconciliation. Andrew has recently spoken before world leaders at the United Nations International Headquarters in both Geneva, Switzerland and New York City, as well as to members of the US Senate on Capitol Hill. His speech Homophobia and Bridging from within the Evangelical Church—given on Capitol Hill the night before the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009—is archived in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. Andrew has been featured on the BBC World News, NPR, CBS, ABC, Salon.com, GLAAD, 700 Club, Dallas Morning News, Christian Post, The Daily Beast and is a regular guest on American’s most listened to Christian radio program, The Frank Pastore Show, among others. He lives in the LGBT Boystown neighborhood of Chicago with his wife Brenda, and blogs on cultural issues, faith and sexuality at www.loveisanorientation.com.
Kevin Harris, Director of Community Relations
Kevin Harris is the Director of Community Relations and Administrative Assistant to Andrew Marin at The Marin Foundation. He is an alumni of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. Kevin has also worked for the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, and has spent time working as an advocacy counselor in interim housing facilities with individuals that happened to be homeless. Aside from pursuing his passion regarding reconciliation between groups and to see Christians live out their faith in a way that dignifies the LGBT community and others on the margins, Kevin enjoys spending time in his garden and playing various sports with the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association.
Brenda Marin, Director of Business Operations
Brenda Marin is the Director of Business Operations at The Marin Foundation. She graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in both International Business and Marketing, with a minor in Sub-Saharan African Studies. Additionally, she has earned her Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business and a Master’s of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior with a concentration in Organizational Development from Benedictine University. Previously Brenda has been involved in government related economic development projects throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Manager of Business Operations for a U.S security firm dealing with both domestic and international clients. Additionally Brenda has been involved in various consulting projects for both for- and non-profit organizations. In her consulting work she believes every organization has a soul, and loves assisting organizations find theirs. She has a desire to see LGBTs and women lifted from the margins and recognized for their uniqueness and strengths. Brenda lives in the Boystown neighborhood of Chicago with her husband Andrew, and occasionally blogs at brendamarin.blogspot.com.
Nathan Albert, Director of Pastoral Care
Nathan Albert is the Director of Pastoral Care at the Marin Foundation. He seeks to provide the space and opportunity to relate one’s personal faith and sexuality in a healthy manner, as well as preaching or teaching at churches or conferences about sexuality and the Christian faith. Nathan recently earned his Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary where he focused his thesis on the Evangelical Covenant Church and the biblical scholarship pertaining to homosexuality. Prior to his seminary education, Nathan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance from Rockford College and worked for years as a professional actor and singer performing for more than a quarter of a million people at numerous regional theatres across the U.S. Nathan has a passion to proclaim God’s word through the art of preaching and to work for the re-humanization of the LGBT community. He is a member of New Community Covenant Church in Chicago, blogs regularly at naytinalbert.blogspot.com and is an avid thumb wrestler.
Hanna Dekker, Finance Coordinator
Picture and Bio coming soon.
