Matt Robbins-Ghormley
Pastor
I love Trinity. What a true joy to serve as pastor here. I love the authentic faith that is being lived out here—no pretenses. I love that Trinity lives into the whole gospel—not only being embraced by the love of God in a personal way, but seeing how that love compels us to love our neighbor and our neighborhood. I love that we're bursting at the seams with kids! I love how genuinely newcomers are welcomed. Now this isn't to say that we're perfect—far from it—but I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.
Before coming to Trinity in 2010, I served in urban congregations in Saint Paul, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. I graduated with a B.A. in Christian Education from Taylor University (Indiana) and did my graduate theological education at Regent College (Vancouver, BC).
Email Matt | Call Matt: 253-272-8819, x2
Harlan Shoop
Parish Associate
Harlan loves Tacoma and Trinity’s role in the city. In 2009, Harlan retired from Trinity (or so he thought). He is now Parish Associate at Trinity Presbyterian to assist Matt and the leaders in its mission in the city. Harlan and Sue have been married for 57 years as of July 2023. Together, they have four children and nine grandchildren and one great grandson all of whom are good looking and above average! Harlan loves parties and pie—his favorite is huckleberry with vanilla ice cream. One of his favorite verses is, “He has shown you, people, what is good and what the Lord requires of you, to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8.
Nikki Davidson
Senior Director, Bryant Neighborhood Center
Nikki loves her work at the Bryant Neighborhood Center! It brings together many of her passions, strengths, and even her own story. Nikki brings over 30 years of experience working with nonprofits and faith communities as an Executive Director, a social-enterprise entrepreneur, a Missions Coordinator for a large Presbyterian church, and a consultant on many projects. But before all of that, Nikki tutored in the newly launched Trinity Afterschool Program while she was in high school (many, MANY years ago). It was a pivotal life-shaping experience for her and became integral to her understanding of faith in action and what it means to be mutually transformed by people of good faith and good will.
Nikki is married to Andy and together they have five girls, ranging in age from 11 to 24. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her new granddaughter.
Email Nikki | Call Nikki: 253-272-8819, x3
Malinda Fugate
Director of Youth & Family Ministry
After two decades of serving in churches in Los Angeles, Malinda is delighted to join the Trinity team as the Director of Youth and Family Ministry! Being part of this authentic and loving community is a joy. Malinda brings lessons learned from many years of leading youth, as well as experiences in a faith-based theater company, work at the Los Angeles Salem radio stations, and the opportunity to publish books that glorify Christ. She is excited to get to know Tacoma, but even more enthusiastic about serving Trinity’s youth and families.
Emily Garofalo
Director of Children & Family Ministry
Emily has a passion and joy in working with children and families, and is eager to put her years of experience in nonprofit settings to work in the faith community, supporting Trinity in our mission of nurturing our children as followers of Jesus. Emily and her husband, Luciano, and their two young daughters, Lia (5) and Maria (3), have roots in Tacoma, and recently returned after several years in Portland where Luciano was completing his training as a Pediatric Naturopathic Doctor. Emily & her family have been a part of Christian community in the L’Arche Tahoma Hope and the Catholic Worker Movement.
Email Emily G. | Leave a message for Emily G.: 253-272-8819, x1
Laura Gerard
Trinity Operations and Communications Manager
A semi-random series of events brought Laura to Trinity and to the work that she’s now doing in Trinity House, and she couldn’t be happier about it. One visit to a Sunday worship service when passing through from out of town, just a week before the Covid quarantines began, and a seed was planted. Now Laura and her husband Gene, as well as her parents, live in Fircrest and are members of Trinity. She’s grateful for a church family that both comforts and challenges her and for her work supporting the members and ministry staff that flows naturally in response to that gratitude.
Until Laura took the position at Trinity this fall, she worked as an elementary school teacher for 10 years. Prior to that she worked as a part-time educator (tutoring, substitute teaching) while raising 3 kids. She sees right now as the beginning of an exciting new chapter of her life and can’t believe how “lucky” she feels to have found her way into a vibrant, growing, serving community of faith.
Tautiauna Kimbrough
BNC Operations and Communications Manager
Tautiauna is a dedicated community builder with a passion for creating inclusive and engaging spaces. Her background in marketing, events, and brand management allows her to foster connections that celebrate culture, creativity, and belonging. She is committed to supporting and uplifting local communities through thoughtful programming and authentic engagement. In her free time, you can find her exploring Tacoma’s vibrant food and arts scene with her husband and 3 babies, or curating memorable dining experiences.
Emily Coates
Worship Coordinator
Trinity has been my family's spiritual home since 2013, and it has been a joy to serve in many capacities over our years here, and I now serve as the worship coordinator for Sunday morning music. Music has been a love and passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and I love serving our faith community in this way. I live in the Hilltop/Bryant Neighborhood, and can see Trinity's steeple from my bedroom! My husband and I have three daughters, and we love Tacoma. Being a part of Trinity has always felt like a natural extension of our love for this city, and this neighborhood specifically. Outside of Trinity, I work as a midwife, and deeply enjoy that work as well. When I'm not working, you can find me spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, shuttling my kids to various activities, and reading stories of people who are changing their communities through love, passion, and strategic use of resources.
Iris Jackson
Community Meal Coordinator - Sermon on the Mount
I have lived most of my life here in Tacoma, and I am so grateful for everyone I get to serve alongside and work with here at Trinity and the BNC. It is truly a joy to be a part of the work that Trinity does in our neighborhood.
Leave a message for Iris: 253-272-8819 x1
Roseann Lauzon
Community Engagement and Building Coordinator
I am grateful to have gotten to serve our community since 1993. I love the people I get to come into contact with every week, and I truly love the Bryant Neighborhood, and Trinity is a huge part of that.
Email Roseann | Call Roseann: 253-272-8819, x4
Kelly Humphreys
TAP Coordinator
I am glad to be the TAP Coordinator here at the Bryant Neighborhood Center, located here at Trinity. My husband Doug and I moved to Tacoma in 2016, after a few years in Redmond (moving there from San Diego in 2009). I’m a former Oregonian, and I love this city and the climate here, and enjoy being involved at Trinity and the BNC and all that is done for the Bryant neighborhood. The Trinity Afterschool Program (TAP) has been around for many years, and I love being part of that history. Seeing how much the TAP kids grow — in their reading abilities, in their self-confidence and maturity throughout the year, and in their friendship bond with their tutors — is a delight! The kids are fun. At home, I enjoy taking walks with my husband and our dog Ziggy, reading good books, and listening to podcasts.
Email Kelly | Call Kelly: 253-272-8819, x5
Karina Blasco
2025 Auction Coordinator
Hi, I'm Karina, and I’m a proud wife and mother of two young adults whom my husband and I raised right here in Tacoma. I have a deep passion for our vibrant city, its diverse community, and the unique culture that defines it. As a former small business owner in Tacoma for over a decade, I have firsthand experience with the value of building strong connections within our community. I am thrilled to contribute to the Bryant Neighborhood’s 2025 Growing Together Auction by bringing my administrative gifts to support this meaningful event and help foster even more local connections.
Tiffany Keenan
Nursery Attendant
Tiffany grew up in Virginia and moved to Chicago in 1997, then to West Seattle in 1999. She now lives in Summit-Waller with her husband of seven years, along with three dogs and a parrot. She also owns an educational nutrition and garden business.
Sammie Jackson
Custodian
Sammie is the self-acclaimed "Concierge of Clean,” and he certainly lives up to his title! Originally from Chicago, Sammie has been living in the Tacoma area for the last five years. Fun facts - Sammie is a drummer and was an actor in the movie The Meteor Man.