Eli Isaacs, Program Management Intern

Eli is a senior at Wichita State University, majoring in business management, and a proud graduate of Valley Center High School. He attends and is involved at Riverlawn Christian Church here in Wichita. Eli has a strong passion for business, relationships, and faith.  As part of Student Startup, Eli is excited to see the business and spiritual growth of the student entrepreneurs within Student Startup. 

This coming June, Eli is excited to start a new chapter in his life with his bride to be Hallie Jennings. They are both excited to see what God has in store for them moving forward. 

Email Eli at eisaacs@studentstartup.org

Erika duncan, Co-founder of Student sitters

Erika graduated with a degree in Secondary English Education from Friends University. After teaching six years at the middle school level, she became a licensed childcare provider and operated her own daycare/in-home preschool for a decade. Currently, in addition to her part-time work leading the StudentSitters.org program, Erika is the director of the mom’s day out program at First Evangelical Free Church, where she and her family attend. She has extensive experience in professional childcare and teen discipleship ministries through her work, ongoing education, and voluntary roles in church children's ministries, International Student Inc., and foster care. Erika and husband David celebrate 18 years of marriage and stay busy and blessed with their three children, 12 chickens, ducks, cats, and dog.

Email Erika at eduncan@studentstartup.org

Christina Wark, My First Sale

Christina graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from FHSU.  She spent 23 years with Walmart and fulfilled various roles in store management, multi-site markets in Asset Protection, and Leadership Development across the Central US.  Christina then joined the MBM team at Koch Industries for 6 years as a Business Consultant.  Christina has served on the Junior Achievement Board as well as the Goddard CTE Advisory Board.  She has a passion for entrepreneurship and helping people learn, grow and prosper.

Christina and her husband Jim live near Goddard with their two sons.  They own and operate three small businesses that include Wark Masonry, Wark Solutions (rental homes), and Adventure Rentals (camper rentals).  Most of their "free" time is spent playing music and taking care of their rescue animals, that include horses, dogs, cats, ducks and chickens.  

Email Christina at cwark@studentstartup.org

Maley Hansen, Program Management Intern

Maley Hansen grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and is a recent graduate of Wichita North High School. She is now a freshman Gore Scholar at Wichita State University pursuing Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Data Driven Marketing & Intelligence as well as a minor in Business Data Analytics. On campus she is involved in WSU’s collegiate DECA chapter, where she competes in various entrepreneurship and marketing related events. Off campus she runs ICY-T, which is a snow cone stand located in Clifton Square in College Hill. She started ICY-T just 10 days after graduating high school and has loved becoming a business owner at such a young age. Maley is thrilled to be part of the Student Startup team and take her passions for leadership and business to the next level.

Email Maley at mhansen@studentstartup.org

Cader Newton, Program management intern

Cader is a student at Wichita State University, majoring in pre-law and business. From launching his first business at the age of 7 to establishing a successful lawn care company at 15, he has cultivated a strong entrepreneurial spirit. A graduate of Valley Center High School, he dedicated five years to leading the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club at both high school and middle school levels. Currently, as part of the Student Startup team, he is excited to see how student entrepreneurs within the program will grow spiritually, economically, and socially.

Email Cader at cnewton@studentstartup.org

Elizabeth Makwabe, Recruitment and events Intern

Elizabeth grew up in Wichita, Kansas, is a former student entrepreneur, and is a graduate from the IB (International Baccalaureate) program at East High School. She currently attends the University of Kansas, pursuing a Bachelor's in Exercise Science with a minor in Sports management. Now as a part of the Student Startup team, she's most excited to learn from professionals while simultaneously contributing to the growth and prosperity of the organization.

Email Elizabeth at emakwabe@studentstartup.org

orrin breckenridge, business coach

Orrin is an experienced communications and marketing professional with more than nine years of experience in sales, market research & analysis, and creating shared-value opportunities for market-driven results. Proven success in working with cross-cultural and cross-functional teams, in addition to various levels of leadership in the community. Orrin is passionate about Student Startup's mission, and is excited to be a leader in the organization as he finishes his Global Masters of Business Administration at Friends University.

Cierra FArris, program manager for student sitters

Cierra grew up in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and moved to attend Wichita State University. Currently pursuing a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology, Cierra has a heart for working with children of all abilities. She previously worked as a part-time nanny before joining the Student Startup team and is excited to use her previous experience to further the mission of Student Sitters. Cierra firmly believes in the Student Startup mission to help young people become mature adults who love their neighbors through their vocation. 

Email Cierra at cfarris@studentstartup.org

Andrea woodward, office manager

Andrea is a graduate of Wichita State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She taught high school math at Andover High School for five years before joining the staff at Student Startup part-time and starting her new career as a mother.

Email Andrea at awoodward@studentstartup.org

Caleb Claussen - Product Manager

Caleb is an allumni of the Student Startup program and ran a successful mowing business while in school at Wichita State. After college, Caleb joined Koch Industries and was quickly promoted to engineering manager, leading a team of more than twelve engineers when he was only twenty-three years old. During that time he also continued pursuing his entrepreneurial endeavors through real estate which he now does full-time with Reese Nichols.

Caleb and his wife, Kayla, have two beautiful daughters and are members at Riverlawn Christian church where they serve in youth ministry. 

Joe Woodward, founder and board MEMBER

Joe is a former student entrepreneur who owned a lawn care company in high school and college. Joe worked at Koch Industries for about a decade in various accounting, HR management, and business development roles and now serves at Director of Wichita Operations for the Stand Together Foundation. After coaching basketball at Sunrise Christian Academy for several years, he traded his side hustle of coaching sports for coaching business at Student Startup. He and his wife Andrea have one daughter, Belle, and are members at First Evangelical Free Church where they serve in student ministries and Joe serves as an elder.

Pastor brandon redic, board member

Pastor Brandon grew up in the Dallas area and attended Texas A&M University where he graduate with honors in 2007 with a bachelors degree in Business Administration. Brandon is also a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, where he earned a master's degree in theology with a focus in pastoral ministries.

He currently serves as the lead pastor at the Bridge Church in Wichita whose mission is to develop fully-devoted followers of Christ in a multi-ethnic context. Pastor Brandon is married to Connie and together they have three children, Brandon Jr., Briana and Lily.

Dr Kevin Hoppock, Board Member

Kevin Hoppock, MD, is a former student entrepreneur and now serves as a family medicine doctor with Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, KS. Dr. Hoppock learned the entrepreneurial spirit at a young age when he started a lawn mowing business which grew exponentially and paid his way through medical school. He has since helped several other companies in various industries expand and create more value as an investor and advisor.

Dr. Hoppock enjoys hunting, fishing, powered paragliding, mountain biking, hiking and doing life with his wife, five adult children, and grandkids. He serves in leadership at Friends University, Kansas Medical Society, Northridge Friends Church and the Evangelical Friends Mission.  Learn more about his story on episode 12 of the Student Startup Podcast. 

Ken bengtson, Board Member

Ken is an engineer, entrepreneur, and avid volunteer in the community. He is the founder of MKEC Engineering which serves clients across the US and Canada and has more than 200 team members. He and his wife Connie are retired and love serving together at First Evangelical Free Church in Wichita where Ken is an elder.

Lisa Herren, board member

Lisa graduated with an A.A. in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College. Before she and her husband Mitch started their family, she worked as an administrative assistant in various departments of Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. They have 3 adult daughters (and a son-in-law), one of which has significant physical disabilities. Lisa has greatly valued the role of the mentors in her own life, but has also had a long-term passion for coming alongside others to encourage, support and coach. Lisa and her husband attend Central Christian Church in Wichita.

Abraham rodriguez, board member

Abraham is a former student entrepreneur and highly decorated scholar graduating from Wichita State University in 2012 as a Bill Gates Scholar and Gore Scholar. After spending six years at Koch Industries, he now serves as the Wichita area director for Young Life. Abraham and his wife Kat are members at The Bridge Church.

rob noxon, board member

Rob is one of the Operating Partners of CPM Wichita. Rob is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines with a B.S. degree in chemical engineering and has over 30 years of experience in plant engineering, manufacturing, general contracting, trading, and financial management. Before founding Solid Rock Companies, Rob helped both multinational corporations and small businesses achieve financial success with his expertise in engineering, risk management, market analysis, and business development. Rob has a passion for community and uses his knowledge to mentor young businessmen. He and his wife Tia have 2 children.  

Zach brown, board member

Zach is a former student entrepreneur and youth pastor who learned a skilled trade after high school and is now co-owner of Pinnacle Fire & Automation, a multi-million dollar construction firm based in Wichita. Zach and his wife Kelli have three children and attend First Evangelical Free Church.