Debra K. Uppendahl-Alba is a motivational faith leader with broad professional experience in education and church leadership, who has worked with young children, teenagers, college students and adults in a variety of settings.  She has led numerous mission trips to Appalachia, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. She has also served as an interpreter on many medical mission trips to Mexico. Most recently she directed Cross of Hope School a combined Preschool and Elementary School ministry of Cross of Hope Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Debra earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado – Boulder (Go Buffs!) in Spanish/Business and Latin American Studies, her Master’s in Education (Curriculum & Instruction) from Wichita State University and a Certificate in Deacon Studies from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio.  While serving as a Community Educational Promoter with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic she met her husband, Antonio. They will celebrate 30 years of marriage this November!  Antonio works remotely for Copyright Clearance Center as a Sr. Software Customer Engagement Manager.  They have two daughters, Caroline (25) and Lydia (22).  Debra loves to read, travel, garden, bake, walk, journal and she especially enjoys visiting with and encouraging friends over a great cup of coffee!