Spark

Alumni Who Lead as Agents of Renewal

Imagine tens of thousands of people spread out from Seattle to New York, Toronto to London, Cairo to Seoul. Picture them serving in every sector imaginable in hundreds of countries and thousands of cities. 

They’re not only working a job—they’re living out a calling that doesn’t clock out at the end of the workday. They are ethical business leaders, truth-seeking journalists, and compassionate physicians; innovative engineers, empathetic educators, and bridge-building politicians; justice-seeking lawyers, faithful filmmakers, and passionate humanitarians—alumni who believe in Christ’s promise to make all things new. 

In 1876, this would have seemed like a pipe dream. But this is what happens when an institution remains committed for 150 years to equipping generations of students to think deeply, act justly, and live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. 

Tony Norman ’84 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Tony Norman is an award-winning writer who, for more than three decades, used his column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to speak difficult truths as a form of justice-seeking.

“Sometimes telling the truth requires upending uncomfortable cultural and political assumptions and looking under rocks. As long as you can do that without fear or favor, you are fulfilling your responsibilities. … You [can] be a Christian and a fiery critic of the status quo at the same time. … They aren’t in contradiction; they are, in fact, a vital part of the Christian witness and experience.”

Tony's story: "Upending cultural assumptions" (Spark, fall 2018)

Lt. General Michael Groen '86

Washington, D.C.

Michael Groen is a recognized technology leadership expert who, for over 35 years, demonstrated good character and ethical leadership as the director of the Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. 

“I would recommend military service or civil service to any grad. It is enormously rewarding, and it demands persons of character. When you take a step back and look at how you approach your life, your job, you realize that character is built at places like Calvin. I knew I had a good foundation, an ethical baseline, and that is so important in this work.”

Michael's story: "Compelled to continue military service" (Spark, spring 2021)

Meredith Wiggers Heintz '93

St. Louis, Missouri 

For nearly two decades, Meredith Wiggers Heintz has discovered joy in her work as head of school at Promise Christian Academy, a school that integrates therapeutic activities with learning for students with disabilities. 

“At Promise, we don’t just look at the child’s disabilities but their abilities. … It brings me immense joy to work with children with learning differences. I love learning how their brains work and how they interact with the world around them.”

Meredith's story: "Overcoming adversity, one student at a time" (Spark, fall 2021)

Kristen Styf Rollerson '98

Denver, Colorado 

For more than 20 years, Kristen Styf Rollerson has been serving others in their full humanity as executive director of Sun Valley Youth Center, located in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Denver. 

“It’s not what I thought I would be doing when I graduated from Calvin. But God puts you in a place and time to serve and love people as he would. … We really try to think outside the box, creatively, about what we can offer that would be the most beneficial, the most relevant.” 

Kristen's story: "Serving the whole person" (Spark, spring 2018)

Anne Zaki '99

Cairo, Egypt 

When approximately 100,000 Christians left Egypt in 2011 because of the Egyptian revolution, Anne Zaki, her husband, and their four sons faithfully followed a calling to return to their home country despite the dangers. Today, Zaki is an assistant professor of practical theology at a seminary in Cairo. 

“We couldn’t just stand and watch. So, we prayed. We sensed that this is now our world’s greatest need, and nothing will bring us greater joy than to be with our own people and then to come into that gap to raise the next generation of Egyptian Christians.” 

Anne's story: "Growing Christians in a chaotic world" (Spark, winter 2016)

Yaw Bediako '04

Accra, Ghana 

In 2021, Yaw Bediako co-founded Yemaachi Biotech, a cutting-edge biotechnology research company based in Ghana, with fellow alum David Hutchful ’02. He is restoring justice and equity in healthcare through creating the world’s most diverse cancer bio-database to develop the next generation of cancer drugs that are effective in diverse populations. 

“In healthcare there is so much disparity based on skin color, socioeconomic status, and where you live on the globe. You may not live as long simply based on where you find yourself. That is not just. What I’m trying to do with Yemaachi is to be part of that redemptive arc, so that children in Ghana, Nigeria, or Kenya don’t have to die [unnecessarily] of diseases like leukemia.”

Yaw's story: "Calvin Stories in the World: Faith, Science & Sustainability" (Calvin 150th anniversary panel discussion, fall 2025)

Nate Knapper '08

Washington, D.C. 

In 2018, Nate Knapper, an attorney and FBI special agent, founded The Joseph Project, a nonprofit organization that works to provide justice for human trafficking survivors by meeting their legal needs. Inspired by the story of Joseph who was trafficked by his own brothers in the biblical book of Genesis, Knapper is empowering survivors to move forward with the dreams they hold for their lives, no longer encumbered by the collateral damage connected to their exploitation. 

“Being an ‘agent of renewal’ means working to translate God’s idea of human flourishing into reality for someone else. In doing so, we can usher in a small measure of the Kingdom of God—right here, right now. In my case, this work involves leveraging the law to promote justice for the exploited.” 

Nate's story: "In Pursuit of Shalom" (Spark, winter 2023) and Young Alumni Award video (YouTube, October 2023)

Jordan Brink '15

New York, New York 

Jordan Brink is an assistant coach for the New York Knicks, where his coaching philosophy goes well beyond helping players improve their performance on the court. 

“I feel uniquely positioned by God to work in professional sports, specifically the NBA, to be a light in what is a highly competitive, pressure-packed industry. Connecting with players about their purpose and what motivates them helps me as a coach get the best out of them. Faith in the NBA is very active and alive, and I find meaning in trying to help others in our league grow in that area of their life … not just on the court.” 

Myla Kar '24

Grand Rapids, Michigan 

As an associate strategist at Grey Matter Group, an award-winning marketing and design agency, Myla Kar helps her clients strategize creative ways to achieve their marketing goals. A number of her clients are faith-based organizations, and she helps them tell their story in a way that allows them to have greater reach and impact. 

“One client is working to translate the Bible to all people groups, and I get to help make social media content that engages people who may have otherwise never been interested in the Bible.”