Adebayo Ogungbade

Co-Chair of Conversation Committee, he/him

Adebayo's passion for the Pace Center came from wanting to help create opportunities for diverse (inter-racial, inter-generational, etc) groups of people to gather around and be able to experience fellowship with one another. Amongst all of the communities that Adebayo has been a part of throughout his college career, no other entity around VCU has provided more platforms for students from all walks of life to learn, lead, and listen to each other than the Pace Center.

By working alongside various members within the Pace Center, VCU, and Greater Richmond community, Adebayo hopes to become a liaison for interdisciplinary conversations of all kinds to happen amongst each other. He is looking forward to learning, growing, and sharing life with all who wish to build community amongst each other.

Katherine Centofanti

Chair of Food Committee, she/her

Katherine first came to the Pace Center when she heard about the $1 lunches offered by the Community Cafe program. There, she found a community of people to share a meal with.

Community Cafe provided her with the opportunity to learn about other people in our community's interests, stories, and backgrounds. Katherine hopes to continue volunteering with Pace and help make the community cafe a sustainable program as well as expand it. 

Abby Ogungbade

Chair of Art and Music Committee, she/her

Abby’s passion for the Pace center involves motivating and uplifting students’ passions and talents, and helping create a safe place to do so. She first started getting involved with Pace through the Servant Leadership Program her freshman year, where she walked amongst the VCU community with an open mind for new things, listening and talking to students about their hobbies and interests. While doing so, Abby became passionate in wanting to support them in any way she can, brainstorming activities to promote their talents for others to enjoy. Abby strives not to let students’ interests go overlooked, and is inspired to keep pursuing them because she believes everybody has a gift and a creative flair that helps them to stand out. Her goal with the Pace Center is provide them with a space where they’re welcomed and encouraged to showcase students’ talents, as well as create and support activities and events that allow them to do so.

Noelani Christy

Student Intern and Co-Chair of Conversation Committee, she/her

Noelani Christy is a student intern in the Communication Arts program at VCU. She works on creating graphics and other visual materials for Pace's marketing and website.

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Since volunteering with Pace through the Community Cafe program, Noelani has found passion for the Pace Center’s growing campus community and their path of inclusivity and active social work. She works to spread awareness of Pace programs, like the Community Cafe and Community Conversations, and resources among her peers.

Elizabeth Roderick

Board Member and Co-Chair of Advocay Committee,  she/her

Elizabeth Roderick is a Pace board member, active volunteer, and VCU student. She is in the Urban Planning program at the Wilder School, and recently received her Masters in Public Administration from VCU. She was previously a professional librarian at the state, academic, and local levels. She grew up in southeastern Ohio, and has lived in Kentucky, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi, but likes Richmond the best. She has four cats, is an avid cook and gardner, and her husband recently retired from the VCU faculty. She is committed to the mission of the Pace Center to help VCU students realize their  gifts, talents, passions, and dreams in service to VCU's community and beyond, and also feels privileged to participate in its programs as a student.

Director, she/her

Rev. Katie B. Gooch

Rev. Katie B. Gooch is the Director and Campus Minister of The Pace Center. She is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and has a passion for setting the stage for relationships and community to thrive. Prior to Pace, Katie B. served as the Executive Pastor of Reveille United Methodist Church. During seminary, she served as a hospital chaplain at Duke University and as a pastor in both Durham and Mamers, North Carolina. In an earlier life, Katie B. was a communications consultant in Washington D.C. and a Division I field hockey player. She is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma but has grown to love Richmond!

Operations, she/her

Jean Linnell

Jean Linnell is the Operations and Facilities manager at Pace - working in the background to make sure ministry efforts run smoothly here at Pace.  Jean has a degree in environmental studies from VCU and is interested in farming, food and community.  

She is constantly amazed by people’s ability to unite and create. Jean is excited to help promote Pace’s efforts to grow community on VCU Campus.