Our Team
The Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin (LOPPW) is led by the LOPPW Director in collaboration with a Policy Council consisting of appointed members from each of the synods with congregations in Wisconsin, as well as a bishop representative.
Director
Kacy Kostiuk
Kacy Kostiuk is director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy. With a background in policy, advocacy, and communications, she brings experience working with mission-driven nonprofits on issues such as early childhood education, disability inclusion, and refugee and asylum protections. She also served two terms as a nonpartisan City Councilmember in Takoma Park, Maryland. She has a master’s in international studies from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s in communications and English from Wartburg College. She was born and raised in north-central Wisconsin.
Contact Kacy at [email protected] or 608-940-1808.
Policy Council
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe
Bishop Representative
Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe is Bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin.
Rev. Josh Fite
Co-convener, East Central Synod of Wisconsin Representative
The Rev. Josh Fite is the pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Green Bay.
Deacon Laura Ramlow
Co-convener, Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Representative
Deacon Laura Ramlow is the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Minister of Communications, Faith Formation, and Malawi based in Chetek and living in Eau Claire. She is also a key LOPPW youth organizer.
Doug Dehler
Secretary, Greater Milwaukee Area Synod Representative
Mr. Doug Dehler is an attorney and member of Galilee Lutheran Church in Pewaukee.
Rev. Andy Twiton
Reviewer of Finances, South Central Synod of Wisconsin Representative
The Rev. Andy Twiton is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church on Madison’s near east side and has served on LOPPW’s Policy Council since 2019, including as the council’s reviewer of finances. Peace and justice have been central to Andy’s faith journey and calling into ministry, and he is grateful to support LOPPW’s public witness and advocacy. He lives in Madison with his spouse, Kristin, and their two children.
Irene TenEyck
La Crosse Area Synod Representative
Ms. Irene TenEyck has served on LOPPW’s Policy Council since 2020. Ireneworks at Emplify Health at Gundersen in La Crosse as both a Social Worker and an Affiliate Chaplain. She has a master’s in Social Work and has completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education. As a Social Worker, Irene’s focus has always been on social justice issues and advocacy for marginalized groups. Her passion has been particularly focused on the Latino community and migrant justice work, being actively involved with the Migrant Justice Team in the La Crosse Area Synod, as well as being involved with the Synod’s Peru team, working with the Iglesia Luterana de Peru, a companion Synod of the La Crosse Area Synod. Irene lives in La Crosse with her husband Brian and is a member of English Lutheran Church.
The Northern Great Lakes Synod representative position on the LOPPW Policy Council is currently vacant. There are also additional synod and at-large member positions available. Please contact Kacy Kostiuk ([email protected]) if you are interested in learning more.
