Meet the Kwaray Team

A dedicated leader in education and learning, Alicia has spent her career supporting the growth of individuals and organizations. With an Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts, a B.S. in Biology, an M.A. in Education, and ongoing work towards a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, she embodies a commitment to lifelong learning. Her 15 years of experience in higher education as faculty, administrator, and executive, along with a decade in the medical field and 30+ years in hospitality, fuel her passion for digital learning management, instructional design, and curriculum development. Alicia resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her significant other and their two Bichon Frises, Luna and TeenaMarie. At Kwaray, Alicia supports our partners to create high-quality learning resources for a generation of rising faith leaders.

With over 30 years of visionary leadership in higher education, Byron has consistently transformed organizations to reach their highest potential. As the VP of Institutional Growth at PSR, he is driven by a deep passion for empowering individuals to discover their purpose and harness their potential to change the world. PSR and Kwaray embody this mission, reflecting his unwavering belief in the transformative power of education and self-discovery. Byron’s journey includes over a decade as President of the Art Institute of California, San Francisco, and most recently, as Vice President of Operations for the Art Institute system in Texas. He holds a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Cindy is a seasoned strategist, entrepreneur, and education leader with a passion for articulating vision, creating execution plans, and building innovative ventures. With over 12 years of strategy work, 8 years in K-12 and higher education, and 5 years as an ontological coach, she oversees strategy, operations and growth for Kwaray and PSR Collective. Cindy holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley, an MBA from The Wharton School, and a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, she is an amateur photojournalist, dedicated to capturing the visual stories of disappearing tribes around the world.

Dena brings 20 years of leadership in higher education and the arts, with extensive experience in production, creative direction, operations management, admissions, and community engagement. She is passionate about expanding platforms for creatives and spiritually inclined leaders, developing meaningful partnerships, and driving projects forward by transforming ideas into action. As the Director of Operations, Dena supports day-to-day operations and directs production to develop and deliver innovative educational content together with our partners. Dena holds a BA in Marketing from Columbia College Chicago.

Jonathon Murillo has served startups, universities, non-profits, and faith communities as a strategist, facilitator, and creator. He is passionate about leadership formation and innovation, leveraging theological imagination for the flourishing of all. Jonathon holds a Master of Divinity from Azusa Pacific Seminary and a B.A. in Communication from Vanguard University. At Kwaray, he oversees the product design and strategy, and supports partners in creating meaningful courses and experiences for faith leaders.

Kira Sun brings over a decade of experience in UX, having worked with industry leaders such as Samsung, Tencent, and Amazon. Her expertise spans UX research and end-to-end project leadership, where she has consistently amplified team impact through mentorship and guidance. At PSR Collective, she is spearheading the UX design of the entire platform, with the goal of crafting a seamless and tailored experience for all users.

Kona Lisa Mahu is an Executive Consultant skilled in business, ministry, and education and uniquely gifted with an extensive background in program development and implementation, including a co-creative design team methodology for solving real world problems in community. She has a BA and MBA from Kennesaw State University, MDiv from Candler School of Theology at Emory, and is a DMin candidate at the Pacific School of Religion. Her passion is to share the practical application of a walk in Christ Consciousness in a modern world for modern people who want a grounded way of living. Outside of her career calling, she enjoys time in nature with her family, and in training and traveling with like-minded triathletes.

A solutions-oriented professional with over 30 years of management experience, Robert is known for his innovative approach to leadership, team building, and client relations. As a motivational project manager, he excels in delivering high-quality results in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments. With a strong track record of surpassing goals, staying on schedule and budget, and implementing leading-edge IT solutions, he is an out-of-the-box thinker who thrives in collaborative settings. Robert works closely with business and technical teams to increase profits, reduce costs, and drive continuous improvement through strategic IT infrastructure planning. At Kwaray, Robert oversees the Technology development and operations.

Tim Howarth has over 15 years of experience developing and designing software and web applications. He’s worked as a full stack engineer, UI/UX designer, and product manager, bringing projects from concept to completion for small businesses and billion-dollar brands. Tim specializes in working with teams to build intuitive, scalable digital experiences that balance user needs with technical realities through a unique blend of creative problem-solving and deep technical expertise. Outside of work, he enjoys international travel, outdoor adventure, and photography.