Leadership

Rev. Matthew González, J.D. - Founder and Executive Director

Matthew was born in Chicago on a cold day in February, 43 years ago, the only child of Robert, a Vietnam veteran, and Elizabeth, a widely-published medical journalist and editor (including at the Journal of the American Medical Association, where she was an Asssociate Editor who also wrote over 200 stories, and Medical World News, where she was Managing Editor), nonprofit executive (including at the American Academy of Pediatrics), immensely gifted writer of poetry and prose, visual mixed media artist, health lawyer, and radiantly loving mother. She struggled greatly at times with depression and anxiety, and later with physical disability. She died November 30, 2016.

Through his maternal line he is descended from seven Protestant pastors and ordained theologians. His father's family is also profoundly religious, with three of his aunts, his paternal grandmother, and two of his great aunts, having their respective lay ministries edified by glossolalia (tongues). His father's sister Ann Camelia Bugliani, Ph.D. (née González) was a longtime romance languages professor—she has educated fluency in all of the romance languages—and eventual chairperson of the Modern Languages and Literature department at Loyola University Chicago.

Matthew grew up in Skokie, Illinois, where he attended wonderful public schools. In 2000 he matriculated as an undergraduate at Northwestern University, where he pursued a broad liberal arts education, majoring in history (Americas concentration) and preparing to be certified in Illinois as a middle and high school history and social sciences teacher. He also, as an undergraduate, was involved in extensive tutoring and teaching efforts. After graduation he spent three years teaching history and political science in the Chicago Public Schools system. He then entered the private sector, founding and running a corporation, Grether & Company, that earned revenue from several sectors. "Grether" was the surname of five of his ordained ancestors. He then attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2021. In lieu of practicing law he embraced the call to pursue further theological studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary ("Garrett") in 2022. He will be taking the bar exam during late July of 2025. Should he pass and be sworn in as an Illinois attorney, he will likely start his own law firm specializing in commercial litigation and perhaps consumer bankruptcies.

More about Matthew's professional background can be found on his LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdgonzalez

Matthew worshipped at Central United Methodist Church in Skokie, Illinois as a child, where he had wonderful experiences, but was away from faith and in the spiritual darkness for twelve years. During June of 2008 he had an extravagant born again experience, surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, and began worshipping at an African American Pentecostal church in Evanston, Illinois, most ably led by the Right Rev. (Bishop) Frederick Harris, D.D., and his intensely anointed wife the Rev. Deloris Harris, M.Div., D.Min. Drawn to the Eucharist, he joined Church of the Holy Comforter (Episcopal), in Kenilworth, Illinois, during 2010.

On February 17, 2021, Matthew was ordained into the pastorate. On February 17, 2025 he consecrated his entire ministry to St. Dymphna, a bona fide miracle worker and patron saint of those with mental illness, and her queen the Blessed Mother.

During 2023 Matthew began to have a Catholic awakening. God grabbed hold of him, and through intense prayer he decided to become Catholic. He worships most days at Queen of All Saints basilica in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago. He is also enamored of the eucharistic adoration chapel at St. Paul of the Cross in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Matthew has struggled with depression and anxiety, which has caused him great suffering at times. He credits medication, good nutrition, daily aerobic exercise, not responding when nasty people attack him, eucharistic adoration, and celebrating the Eucharist at least once a day (sometimes more than once a day), for his great healing and triumph over these conditions. He is passionate about mental health awareness and advocacy, which he sees as integral to his ministry.

Matthew lives in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago. He is not married but would very much like to get married.

The Board of Directors

Rev. Job Pangilinan, M.Div., J.D. - Founding Director

Job was born and grew up in the Philippines. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from University of the City of Manila. He then earned a Juris Doctor from Xavier University. He then studied business at Strayer University. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Garrett during May of 2025, completing the full Master of Divinity course of study, including two units of field education, in just three years. He was awarded a prize for homiletics.

Before entering ministry, Job was an electronics and communications engineer, and then practiced as a corporate and trial lawyer, advocating for environmental protection and the rights of marginalized communities, including farmers, women, and children. Now, he is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Pacific Conference of the United States Methodist Church and was commissioned (ordained) a Provisional Elder during June of 2025.

More about Job's professional background can be found on his LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/attyjobpangilinan/

Job is a lifelong Methodist. He comes from a rich heritage of faith, with grandparents who helped establish churches in the Philippines. Immersed in church leadership from a young age, he has served as a youth leader, music minister, and evangelist.

Job cares deeply about the plight of immigrants to this country and has been involved in extensive outreach to them. In terms of mental health issues, he has a personal and familial connection to mental illness, having seen friends and family members struggle with it.

Job lives with his wife in the Greater Seattle Area. He has three children and six grandchildren. Job is one of the most pastoral men the Executive Director has ever known. Clergy Care Collective is honored to have him as one of its founding directors.

Rev. John Reese - Founding Director

John is a secondary-level seminary graduate and served a two-year mission to the downtrodden people of Las Vegas, Nevada. He is ordained, a member of the Melchizedek priesthood. and functioned as a teacher and counselor for hundreds of individuals. He served his church and community in many ways including being Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America for five years.

John has served in church welfare positions and has had many experiences with mental health care being organized for parishioners. Mental health issues have affected people John loves dearly and he has given much person-to- person support to them through their difficult days. He personally has suffered from situational mental health issues when life got extra difficult, and he empathizes with those who struggle with mental health issues.

John has enjoyed learning through every stage of his life and has gained a wide variety of knowledge and skills. First, he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in oil painting. He won a merit scholarship, had two artworks published in academic journals, and graduated top in his division. The only hiccup in becoming a studio artist was that he met his future wife and married while in college. A year later they had their first son. His college teachers encouraged an art career, but family life created a need for other plans. John worked small jobs and helped raise the kids. He gained a certificate in graphic design and dipped his toes into law school. Later he found a career that combined his education and skills together as an airplane and jet engine mechanic. He earned Airframe and Powerplant certificates from a trade school. He now works for United Airlines and has taken great interest in union meetings and activities. He looks forward to joining union leadership later in life because he appreciates labor protections and the safe work environments created by strong unions.

John lives with his wife and three children in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. His family and work responsibilities keep him busy, but he enjoys traveling with his family to new destinations whenever possible.

During May of 2025 John asked to assume emeritus status as a board member. This will take effect on September 1, 2025. He will be greatly missed and is welcome to return anytime to Clergy Care Collective's board.

David Lembeck - Founding Creative Director

David Lembeck is our Creative Director, who graciously designed the banner and logo for this organization and is a close friend of the Executive Director. He is a long-time illustrious graphic designer for his own firm that specializes in work for Democratic political candidates, non-profit organizations he supports, and some private clients. He has also been involved for several decades in a project chronicling New Deal murals in post offices. This has become a museum exhibition, he travels to speak about it, and a major book is forthcoming. David lives with his family and is a private person. No press reporting of this organization, or other public-facing medium of information exchange, should reference his participation.

Officers

Robert Altman - Chief Technology Officer

Robert Altman is our Chief Technology Officer. He is the only child of Thomas and Patricia Altman, R.N. Both are former Chicago Police Department officers. Tom served in a supervisory role and Patty worked especially on outreach to domestic violence victims. Patty also is a Registered Nurse who has worked in several hospitals, including in emergency care.

Robert demonstrated extraordinary brilliance from a young age. He graduated from the most selective high school in the Chicago Public Schools system, Northside College Preparatory High School, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, then earned his degree in software engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a 3.89 GPA. He led indigoBox studios and now serves as an Assistant Vice President and software engineer at Bank of America.

Robert may have been neurodivergent as a child, and also has struggled with generalized anxiety disorder, which renders him deeply compassionate with respect to those who struggle with more serious forms of mental illness.

A baptized Catholic and lifelong Mass communicant, Robert experienced a reversion to deep faith during college, inspired by a Pentecostal roommate. He became active at the Newman Center, attending daily Mass, eucharistic adoration, retreats, and also became enamored of praying the rosary.

Robert is active in the Catholic life of the Archdiocese of Chicago, including leadership at Immaculate Conception parish and participation at St. John Cantius. He and his family have a particular love for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, according to the Missale Romanum of 1962, commonly known as the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), promulgated by Saint John XXIII.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Robert Altman for his extraordinary contributions to Clergy Care Collective. With luminous brilliance, unwavering dedication, and a spirit of humility and grace, Robert has poured his talents and time into building the technological backbone of this ministry. His devotion to Christ, his exceptional skill, and his radiant character have been an immeasurable blessing. We are profoundly grateful for his leadership, his friendship, and his steadfast commitment to this mission of hope and healing. May God continue to bless Robert in all his endeavors, guiding him with grace, strength, and joy.

Robert is discerning entrance into the Catholic transitional diaconate and seminary formation. The Executive Director believes him to be a young man of good and great expecations.

Steven R. Young, M.S. - Chief Financial Officer

Steven is a lifelong Oklahoman. His roots run deep into Oklahoma’s red earth, tracing back to forebears who took part in the famed Land Rush—a heritage of grit, vision, and bold beginnings. His father served in the United States Army Officer Corps during the Korean War and later went into business, ranching on land claimed by his ancestors during the Oklahoma Land Rush, as well as additional land he purchased. Steven's mother managed the household, which consisted of Steven and his brother and sister.

Steven has an extraordinary intellect. He was valedictorian of his high school class and then was accepted into one of the most selective and prestigious universities in the world, the California Institute of Technology. His initial plan was to become a physicist focused on quantum mechanics, and he studied there in furtherance of this for about two years. For personal reasons he relocated to Oklahoma, and graduated with distinction from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics. He continued in his studies, earning a Master of Science degree in accounting at that same university. He then embarked on an illustrious career as an accountant and later business executive. He started at the major accounting firm Ernst & Whinney (an antecedent firm of today's Ernst & Young), where he established himself as an accountant of the highest character and integrity. He advanced into executive roles in a number of businesses. He then spent over a decade managing a pediatrics practice.

More on Steven's professional background can be found at his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-young-1606bb7/

Steven lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with his wife, who is a private person. Clergy Care Collective is honored to have him as its Chief Financial Officer.