Staff
SLF Staff
Kyle Dickinson
Executive Director | kyle@salemlf.org
Kyle Dickinson is the beloved son of the One Who Holds All Things Together. He is Joy’s husband and Mia and Nathan’s dad. He has a Bachelor’s degree in International and Intercultural Communications from Sacramento State University and an MBA from George Fox University. He has also studied at Fuller Theological Seminary.
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Kyle has been a campus pastor, a small groups pastor, a development director, and a fundraising consultant. He loves to connect, resource and mobilize people and groups to build shalom together.
His favorite authors include Henri Nouwen, KJ Ramsey, Bradley Jersak, Brene Brown, Patrick Lencioni, Kate Bowler, Jemar Tisby, Soong-Chan Rah, and Justin McRoberts. Kyle is a die-hard San Francisco Giants and Portland Trail Blazers fan. He loves good coffee, the Oregon coast, and fantasy football.
Laurie Case
Director of Business Operations | laurie@salemlf.org
Laurie was born and raised in Salem and is excited to be part of a team working to bring peace, connection, and flourishing to her city. She graduated from McNary High School, and Keizer remains the community she calls home. She is John’s wife and Ollie, Eli, Aliyah, and Sam’s mom. She is the daughter of Craig and Jane and sister to Jamie, and is deeply grateful for the gift of her family.
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Laurie has long been committed to nurturing faith and community. She has a deep appreciation for the beauty and richness found in her Christian faith. Her ecumenical spirit shapes the way she builds relationships, listens well, and loves her neighbor. She also serves on the board at Willamette Valley Christian School, where Sam attends.
With a gift for organization, stewardship, and attention to detail, Laurie brings a strong background in finance and administration to her work. Her steady, thoughtful approach and depth of integrity helps create clarity and trust in the midst of complex challenges. Known for her calm presence and steady spirit, Laurie brings a gift for creating peace and stability wherever she serves.
Laurie loves reading and being part of book clubs, walking with a friend or her dog Clovis, camping and spending time outdoors, eating nachos, singing at church, being still, and sharing unhurried time with her family and friends. Laurie’s love for this community, Jesus, and her commitment to people make her a valued part of the SLF team and its work cultivating spaces of Shalom.
Valerie Geer
Churches as Neighborhood (CaN) Centers Director | val@salemlf.org
Valerie, her husband, Nathan, and their four sons—Cody (South Salem High School, Class of 2023), Tristan (Class of 2024), and twins Travis and Wyatt—have called Salem home since 2012. Life in the Geer household is anything but quiet, thanks in part to their two dogs: Baxter, a 145-pound Newfoundland, and his unlikely best friend, Theo, a tiny Chihuahua mix.
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Val feels most at home outdoors. Whether she’s hiking, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, biking, or simply taking a long walk, she loves staying active and soaking up the beauty of creation. She’s equally content slowing down with a good book on the front porch, especially a memoir. She is particularly drawn to stories from authors whose life experiences and perspectives differ from her own, believing they deepen her understanding of others and broaden her view of the world.
At the heart of Val’s calling is a desire to serve alongside others, loving people and communities in the way of Jesus. Her formal education—from a bachelor’s degree through a doctorate—has centered on intercultural studies and Christian theology. Along the way, her personal experiences have cultivated a deep passion for mental health education and advocacy.
Val has served in a variety of ministry and leadership roles across the Seattle area, northeastern and southern China, the Midwest, and, most recently, in Salem. As SLF’s CaN Centers Director, she is committed to building meaningful relationships and helping individuals and communities flourish.
Monica Fiedler
Assoc. Director of Networks | monica@salemlf.org
Monica, her husband Aaron, and their two sons, Andrew and Jonathan, have called Salem home for as long as they’ve been “Team Fiedler.” Currently residing in the Candalaria-area with their dog Commodore, they are beta-testing “empty nesting” (open door-ing?) as their progeny study at George Fox & Oregon State.
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Monica has a background in teaching middle school, serving on church staff with A/V and youth ministries, and supporting CaN with SLF for a season where she learned to love hyperlocal and grew in appreciation for diverse streams of her Christian faith. Most recently, Monica served as young adult Chaplain with Church at the Park. She is a huge fan of the people and impact of their work in our community.
Monica holds a Master’s degree in Teaching (Go Bearcats!) and a Master’s degree in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership, along with a certificate in Spiritual Direction with an Enneagram certificate incoming.
Now returning to Salem Leadership Foundation, Monica brings with her experiences from the spaces and relationships enjoyed in-between. She loves people, local good food, gardening, camping, daily walking her local cemetery, and studying up on Ignatian Spirituality, spiritual formation, and contemplative expressions. She also really loves it when people reach out for a get-to-know-you coffee (hint, hint).
