Project Interfaith Staff

Beth Katz, Founder and Executive Director
beth@projectinterfaithusa.org
Twitter: @bethkatz

Beth Katz is the founder and Executive Director of Project Interfaith. Beth got bitten by the interfaith bug in college, where she first got involved in interfaith work as the co-founder of a student interfaith group. Her passion for creating a world where people of all faiths  beliefs and cultures are valued and included led her to come back to her hometown of Omaha after graduate school to start Project Interfaith.

Beth frequently speaks and writes on interfaith issues and work, including writing a monthly column "The Accidental Theist" on the blog Omaha.net. She presents on Project Interfaith’s mission and work at local, national, and international events including at the Istanbul Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, and at the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions.

Beth is an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she has taught courses on international conflict resolution for the Political Science department and religious diversity issues in the schools for the College of Education. She is on the board of the newly-formed Center for Catholic Thought at Creighton University and is a member of the Nebraska Medical Center's Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Consultation Committee. She also has served on the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Board in Omaha since being appointed in 2008.

Beth holds a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan as well as a Bachelor of Science in Education from Creighton University.

Ryan Strawhecker, Director of Development and Communication
ryan@projectinterfaithusa.org
Twitter: @Strawhecker

Ryan comes to Project Interfaith after working as a non-profit consultant at Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. from 2004 to January 2010.  During his time at PJS, Ryan has worked with many non-profits throughout the Midwest.

Ryan has served on the Association of Fundraising Professionals Board of Directors (Nebraska chapter) as the Treasurer in 2009, and is currently the Vice Chair for the AFP 2010 Mid-America Conference to be held in Omaha May 3-4. 

Ryan holds a Master degree in English from Creighton University and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Millikin University.  While at Millikin University, Ryan was the runner-up recipient for the university’s Conant award for creative writing.  While at Creighton University, Ryan completed his master thesis and read an academic paper at Arizona State University on Edgar Allan Poe.

Ryan enjoys playing music and participating in sports.  He is an avid traveler and takes pride in learning about other people and cultures.

Sierra Pirigyi, Intern
sierra@projectinterfaithusa.org
Twitter: @spirigyi

Sierra Pirigyi is our Programming and Communications Intern.  She currently attends Metropolitan Community College, working on an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts.  She plans to transfer to the University of Nebraska at Omaha for a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a Specialization in International Non-Profit. 

Sierra previously interned with Project WISE, a Denver, Colorado nonprofit, working with low-income women.  This experience is what first sparked her interest in not-for-profit work.  Sierra enjoys learning about history, politics, religion and current events.  Her hobbies include reading, writing, music and theater.  She also has a love of jigsaw puzzles, which in the event of free time, she likes to complete.  Although currently undecided on her exact career plan, Sierra wants to continue working in the nonprofit field.

Liz McCue, Intern
liz@projectinterfaithusa.org
Twitter: @dandelionspider

Liz McCue is the summer intern for Development and Communications.  During the other three seasons, Liz is a student at Hastings College, in Hastings, Nebraska, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Journalism with an emphasis in Public Affairs and a minor in History.

Liz has previously volunteered with the Joslyn Art Museum through the Jambassadors program, and the Nebraska Children's Home, assisting with events such as Sand in the City and Babes in Toyland.  Her hobbies include photography, drawing, reading, and drinking coffee and tea.

Amanda Ryan, Intern
amanda@projectinterfaithusa.org
Twitter: @amandaleigh2205

Amanda will be starting her second year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the fall.  She is currently a Religious Studies major.  At this time, she does not know what she will be doing with her  degree, but can possibly see working in education.  Amanda has spent time volunteering in Denver, Colorado during the Denver Christmas Conference.

During her senior year of high school, Amanda wrote a research paper on Woodstock where she developed a deep love for 1960s culture.  Amanda’s current interest include; music, art, and cooking. She is greatly interested in the human rights movement that is happening in Eastern Africa and would like to travel to Africa to help in this effort.  Amanda also enjoys spending her free time sitting in the park; basking in the sun, while reading her current book of choice.