HANNAH ALTIZER
Hometown: Roanoke, VA
Liberty University: Strategic Communications; Minor in Graphic Design
Employer: Gospel Spice Ministries
Host: Joey and Tracy Altizer
Mentor: Jenna Harris
Hannah is a detail-oriented, natural leader passionate about building community, serving others, creating beauty, and striving for excellence in all things. She considers herself an all-purpose creative, thanks to her experience in marketing, communications, graphic design, interior decorating, event planning, retail, and social media. After graduating from Liberty in 2020, Hannah spent several months as a Digital Marketing Intern for Hanesbrands, Inc. before going on to work as the Marketing Assistant and Graphic Designer for Sugar Magnolia. Hannah’s current role is the Project Manager with Gospel Spice Ministries, running various marketing and advertising projects, webinars and coaching, and website accessibility. In her free time, Hannah has remained committed to volunteering with Young Life, a ministry to which she donated much of her time throughout college as Team Leader for a start-up ministry at a local middle school. She now volunteers with Roanoke Valley Capernaum, Young Life’s ministry to adolescents with disabilities, as well as serving in youth ministry at Church of the Holy Spirit.
MOLLY BALLENGER
Hometown: Lookout Mountain, Georgia
Furman University: English and Religion
Employer: NewVines International
Host: Michael and Suzanne Dalton
Mentor: Randi Natosh
Molly grew up on Lookout Mountain, a small town outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and attended Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she majored in English and Religion. While there, she was on the leadership teams for Reformed University Fellowship and YoungLife, and enjoyed working at Camp DeSoto, her childhood summer camp, and interning for her church’s youth group. She hopes to end up working in middle school youth ministry someday, but for now is enjoying working for NewVines International, a nonprofit here in Roanoke that seeks to alleviate poverty in third-world countries. In her free time, Molly enjoys rock climbing, crocheting, and playing pickleball with friends.
JOEL CHANDLER
Hometown: Burke, VA
Virginia Tech: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Employer: Classical Design
Host: Dan Felton-Petry
Mentor: Mike Massey
Joel has a passion for getting to know the hearts of people, and what makes them tick. With a robust background in continuous improvement, Joel achieved remarkable success during his tenure at both Volvo Trucks and Marvin Windows and Doors where he completed a total of 18 Kaizen projects. During his time in college, he was involved in The Consulting Group at Virginia Tech, which provides pro bono consulting expertise to businesses both locally and abroad. He also was a member of CRU at VT, serving weekly as a leader whether on set up, planning, or worship teams. Most notably, Joel was on a senior design team of four students that ultimately delivered a 1650% increase in revenue for a local Pulaski nonprofit. His skill set spans statistical analysis, design, planning, quality control, operations management, and utilization of CAD software. Joel hopes to one day work in the consulting field, utilizing his interpersonal skills, and to serve at a local church with youth. Beyond his professional commitments, Joel channels his creativity into wood-burning art, actively engages in sports such as Pickleball and Spikeball, and explores the culinary world by cooking new dishes.
KATHLEEN DAILeY
Hometown: Boyds, MD
Virginia Tech: Systems Biology; Minor in Chemistry
Employer: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Host: Joey and Tracy Altizer
Mentor: Emily Blendermann
Kathleen graduated from Virginia Tech in 2023 with a degree in Systems Biology. One of her most valued experiences in college was being able to tutor younger students in introductory biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, allowing her to combine her passions for science and education. She also joined the Brown Lab, a molecular modeling and computational biology group in Virginia Tech’s biochemistry department, where she worked on designing a therapeutic peptide aimed at preventing the development of non-small cell lung cancer. Outside of academics, Kathleen was highly involved in the campus ministry Cru, where she served as a Bible study leader as well as the logistics director of their weekly large group meeting. She is a nursing assistant and is currently working at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital as a Clinical Associate in the Emergency Department, where she hopes to further her experience in healthcare with the hopes of attending Physician Assistant school in the future. In her free time, Kathleen loves going on drives in the mountains, playing sports, hanging out with friends, and cooking.
JAMES LAST
Hometown: Statesville, NC
High Point University: Strategic Communication and Religion
Employer: HAWK Advisors
Host: Dan Felton-Petry
Mentor: David Morris
James is a North Carolina native and Graduate of High Point University with degrees in Strategic Communication and Religion. During his time at High Point, James exhibited strong leadership through his roles at the University Chapel and Campus Outreach, complemented by his unwavering commitment to academic excellence. His most significant achievement was his undergraduate dissertation which critically analyzed portrayal of the divine in television and film. Upon graduating, James served for 3 months as a missionary on the US/ Mexico border where he shot and edited videos for an international nonprofit focused on sharing the Gospel to impoverished local communities. Now, James resides in Roanoke, VA where he works as a licensed property and casualty insurance Adviser at HAWK Advisors. This role seamlessly merges his passion for business with his talent for cultivating meaningful relationships. Beyond his professional pursuits, James enjoys investing in his aerial photography side hustle, reading, and playing pickleball.
JAMES PRILL
Hometown: New Providence, NJ
James Madison University College: Chemistry
Employer: Voyant Beauty
Host: Chris and Robin Conrad
Mentor: Don Steinweg
James hails from the suburban town of New Providence, New Jersey. In his free time, he can be found engaging in various creative pursuits, from playing the guitar to painting and drawing. Despite his creative knack, James has always been drawn to the sciences and obtained his degree in Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry from James Madison University. During his time at James Madison, James actively engaged in biophysical chemistry research while simultaneously devoting his energy to growing his faith through participation in the campus ministry Cru. He further demonstrated his commitment by serving as a Bible study leader for three years and fulfilling the role of a research assistant throughout his four-year academic journey. He is currently working in a lab as an analytical chemist for Voyant Beauty and aspires to one day transition into medicinal chemistry. Beyond his vocation, James also hopes to continuously grow in his understanding and love of art, science, and faith.
C.J UNDERATION
Hometown: Lynchburg, VA
University of Lynchburg: Psychology
Employer: Salem YMCA After-School Childcare
Host: David and Diane Edelstien
Mentor: Andy May
C.J graduated from University of Lynchburg with a major in psychology. He interned at Park View Community Mission in Lynchburg during his final semester and following summer, where he gathered experience in conflict resolution and crisis management.” His pleasure in getting to know others, led him in the direction of after-school care, where he can help children develop and grow. He is an Eagle Scout and loves being outdoors, hiking, or exploring. He also uses his experience in Scouts to guide how he handles the variety of different situations that arise in both professional, and day-to-day life. C.J hopes to one day be able to combine his love of people and the outdoors to pursue a career at a nature center, where he can both participate in conservation efforts, and teach others how to do so.
GWEN WAGNER
Hometown: Harrisonburg, VA
William & Mary: Biology
Employer: Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Host: Nick and Tara Floyd
Mentor: Julie Kidd
Gwen is a graduate of William & Mary where she majored in Biology with a minor in Data Science. While at William and Mary, Gwen pursued research as her primary academic interest attending international conferences where she received travel awards and was honored to be selected to give a flash talk for her undergraduate research. She completed an undergraduate honors thesis in biochemistry to finish her time there. Additionally, Gwen was heavily involved in leadership in Reformed University Fellowship, and an internship at the Cambridge House, a christian study center on campus. Currently, she is working as a research assistant at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Gwen hopes to continue to cultivate her curiosity in future studies and will be applying to various immunology/microbiology/pathology PhD programs for the coming year.