Meet the team

Talia Bjelland began coding when she accidentally took AP Computer Science in high school and decided it was sort of fun. Now, as a computer science major, she is excited about the opportunity to serve Westmont and gain technical experience at the same time. Talia joined the CATlab this spring after returning from a study abroad program in Querétaro, Mexico. Her interests and hobbies depend on the week, but this week they include teaching herself piano and French.

Driven to create meaningful relationships and to always find the intersectionality of things, Jordan Douthit studies Computer Science as well as Studio Art, and she really enjoys the sweet spot between the two. As a new Salesforce Developer, she seeks to grow in her knowledge of the company as well as her skills in both programming and creating.  Outside of CATlab, she is currently working on mastering the art of annoying all three of her animals, as well as her older sister.

Curious, enthusiastic, and inventive, Hannah Fisk is a Westmont graduate from the class of 2020 with degrees in Mathematics and Philosophy and minors in Computer Science and Religious Studies. In her free time, Hannah loves learning new things, a trait which has taken her on a journey through many hobbies, including but not limited to knitting, juggling, and solving Rubik's cubes.

A Data Analytics major, Economics & Business minor, and above all an in-depth thinker, Ben Forster is excited about the numerous possibilities for ethical data collection and innovative analysis to transform our world. As a Senior Salesforce Developer, Ben is hoping to gain experience that will help him effect positive change both on his team now and in his career in the future. In addition to participating in the CATLab, Ben is an avid mountain biker, a perpetual adventure-seeker, and an incoming Salesforce Intern at The Thornhill Companies.

Fascinated by languages, Sophia graduated from Westmont in 2020 with a degree in Computer Science and a degree in Spanish. She enjoys teaching and learning new concepts (sometimes finding herself doing both at the same time). Sophia has worked as a Salesforce Developer with the CatLab for 3 years and holds a Platform Developer I. She is now working as a Junior Software Developer at Outside Open. In her free time, Sophia enjoys taking photos and going for runs.

A lover of plants, piano, ballet, art, and spreadsheets, Kimberlee Gong has several months’ experience working in Salesforce development for Westmont and is joining the CATLab as a Senior Developer. She hopes to see the team flourish in accomplishments, goals, and relationships. Outside of the CATLab, her current projects include a Rainbow Fish-inspired tapestry, a Chopin etude, and an android app.

James Lopez is a mission-driven student and relationship-builder. He has taught himself many instruments and has played soccer since he was four. As a Salesforce Developer, he hopes to help Westmont move in the right direction by embracing new technological practices and to be an ambassador in the ever-evolving conversation of technology.

Currently studying psychology and computer science, Kristen Mohrhoff enjoys efficiency, innovation, and not just learning but the study of intelligence itself, whether human or artificial. While working for the CATLab and in pursuing her other internship at The Thornhill Companies this summer, she hopes to continue to advance her skills as a well-rounded Admin and Developer, and as a team, she hopes to continue to positively establish the CATLab’s name within a greater professional community.

A rising Data Analytics junior at Westmont, Frank served as the event coordinator on the Westmont Activities Council and will join the Intercultural Program, ICP's leadership team in the fall. As one of the new members on the team, Frank hopes to develop his leadership, technical, and team-building skills. Outside CATLab, Frank loves jumping in the ocean at any time of the day and mixing random ingredients while making dinner. 

Dante joined the CATLab in the summer of 2018 as one of the early members working on Westmont’s Advancement solution. In 2019, he became the Technical Team Lead over the project to integrate the Admissions department. During his time at Westmont, Dante also had the opportunity to play pitcher and third base for the Warriors’ baseball team. In May of this year, he graduated from Westmont with majors in Data Analytics and Economics/Business. After graduation, he moved to Orange County and began working with Outside Open as a Junior Software Engineer, spending about half of his time working with the CATLab.

Focused, detail oriented, and easy-going, John Panos is a Computer Science major at Westmont and a Salesforce Developer at the CATLab. This summer he hopes to soak up as much knowledge as he can in order to apply it to the CATLab. He is also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast and outside of the CATLab, he loves building custom computers and servers.

A Data Analytics major, Nathan Young is compassionate, integrous, easy-going, and purposeful. This summer, he is working as a Senior Salesforce Developer and a research intern with Dr. Patterson. He hopes to continue growing his skillset as a Developer and to explore all that Salesforce has to offer (including certifications). He enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, watching movies, and eating nachos.

Inquisitive, driven, and writing-savvy, Kelsey Feustel majored in Chemistry and Biology while at Westmont College. As the team’s Grant Writer, she is excited to invite individuals and foundations into the CATLab’s commitment to furthering the Westmont community through innovative technology. In her free time, Kelsey can be found journaling, expanding her extensive pen collection, or curling up with a cup of peppermint tea and a good book.

An Economics and Business major, Abby Fisher is an adventure-seeker and lover of the outdoors. She will be working as the Social Media Manager for CATLab’s Creative Team and is excited to share the story of CATLab and involve more people in it. She is looking forward to cultivating the branding of CATLab and showing off the development team’s hard work for Westmont. Outside of the CATLab, she spends her time traveling, skiing, and going to the beach.

An Economics and Business major, Psychology minor; Noah Galgan loves to connect with people and create content. He is working as the Videographer for CATLab’s Creative Team, and is excited to share the work that CATLab is doing. He is looking forward to growing in his video editing skills while continuing to refine his skills to tell other’s stories. Noah can be found shooting pictures, adventuring, fishing, and wishing he was at the beach.

As a Studio Art and English double major, Sharon Ko loves to tell stories of different cultures and individuals in a creative, compassionate, and collaborative way. Serving as a designer for the CATLab Creative Team, she seeks to grow in her skills in design, communications, and teamwork. She comes alive when she travels, experiences new cultures, and documents these meaningful moments through her camera lens and some pen and paper.

Pursuing a major in English and minors in Writing and Religious Studies, Laura Joy Phillips also enjoys exploring other fields such as computer science and Koine Greek. At Westmont, she serves as the storyteller for the CATLab, a peer tutor in the library, and a member of Writers' Corner. She spends most of her time reading or writing; and despite owning a sizable bookshelf, she manages to have four or five piles of books on her desk at a time. 

An Economics and Business major, Matt produces music for CATLab with the goal of pushing electronic music forward by infusing different genres and merging the digital and organic worlds. His passion for the art he makes pushes him to keep making tracks that define the sound of his music group, Łaszewo. When not working on music, Matt can be found playing basketball or cheffing it up in the kitchen.

Active, faithful, and a do-it-yourselfer, Nancy Everest is a staff member, an aspiring developer, and a mentor. She works as the Applications and Systems Developer/Analyst at Westmont College. Outside of work, she enjoys backpacking, reading, landscape design, cats, and roller skating—the last of which she used to do competitively in high school! Check out her website at https://navigatrix.home.blog/.

A Westmont alumni (‘08) and the Senior Director of Advancement Services at the college, Zak Landrum is the visionary behind the CATLab. He hopes that the program can create great solutions for Westmont’s admissions system and also empower students to “go get work in the Salesforce ecosystem.” When not at work, Zak spends his time raising three younglings, reading, and running.

Dominique Loftus serves as the supervisor for the CATLab’s creative team. She also works at Westmont as the Marketing Production Coordinator. Her skills include video production, marketing, event planning, professional office administration and creative project management.

Kim Shifley serves as a Salesforce Administrator for Westmont College, leading the data migration team this summer for the CATLab. She has worked closely with the students at the Applied Technology Lab since its inception in 2018, having led efforts in gift processing and declarative development. She holds Administrator, Advanced Administrator, and Platform App Builder Salesforce certifications, and is expecting her first child in June.

As a Salesforce Administrator for the Westmont Office of Admissions, Adae Rehmke strives to provide a great experience for fellow users. Collaborating with the CATLab team to create a completely customized interface for admissions is a fun and edifying experience for her. She relishes in seeing the team’s outstanding innovation and hard work come to fruition. Outside of work, Adae enjoys cultivating an edible permaculture landscape around her home, but she especially loves spending time will her family on outdoor adventures or playing games.

As the Information Systems Manager and Salesforce administrator for the Office of Admissions, Dawn has worked on a number of significant integrations over the years. Her recent work with the very skilled and creative CatLab team has been both exciting and motivational, presenting challenges and opportunities to improve processes for efficiency. She looks forward to seeing how the new system transforms the application process for both applicants and staff. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, singing in her church choir, spending time with family and friends and helping her elderly parents (both in their 90’s).