Presenters
Matt Carlisle is the founder of Big Heart Design, a user-centered design company located in Nashville, Tenn. Big Heart Design partners with non-profit organizations to help bring to life websites and online applications that are focused on such efforts as education, advocacy, benevolence, the arts, healthcare and spirituality.
Matt Carlisle is a 15-year veteran of non-profit Web development. As the former director of web ministry at United Methodist Communications, Carlisle spent five years as the executive designer, producer and editor of UMC.org, the official website of The United Methodist Church. During that time, Carlisle instituted the use of cutting edge Web applications, and directed the development and establishment of a United Methodist design system.
Before joining United Methodist Communications in 2002, Carlisle was the associate director of communications for the Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church. He served as communications coordinator for Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver, Colo.
While employed as a print production supervisor and graphic designer, Carlisle gained extensive experience. Matt earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Denver.
Chuck Russell is currently the Internet Communications Director at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Lead by the Rev. Adam Hamilton, Church of the Resurrection started as a new church plant in 1990 just outside of Kansas City in the community of Leawood. It is now not only one of the largest United Methodist congregations, but one of the most forward thinking churches in the connection.
Prior to joining the staff at Church of the Resurrection, Chuck served as Internet resource consultant at United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tenn. While there, he led a team of trainers who resourced local churches in the effective use of the Web in ministry. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, and, prior to moving to Nashville, worked as the lead Internet technologies trainer for a major technology training company.
He has trained individuals from corporations such as the US Army, Kentucky Fried Chicken (Tricon), Ford, 3M, the State of Kentucky, and more. Recently he has trained thousands of local church leaders in cities ranging from Los Angeles, California, to Raleigh, North Carolina, and all points in between.
Jorge R. Obando is currently the senior principal business analyst at Boehringer Ingelheim. In this position he serves as the liaison between the Communications and Public Relations Department and the Internet Technology Department. He comes from NBC-Universal, where he worked on the information architecture, design and implementation of the nbc.com and nbcsports.com social networks.
Jorge worked with The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Global Ministries managing its technology department for seven years. As well, Mr. Obando worked with The United Nations in Latin America and Europe as Sr. Communications and Technology Advisor. Jorge holds a Master’s Degree in Corporate Communications from the College of New Rochelle and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and Journalism from St. John Fisher College.
