Meet the board members of Storyvangelist™
Meet the board members of Storyvangelist™
Tami Csakany is a story advocate, nonprofit strategist, and creative mentor who believes stories are meant to move—from page to person, and from one life to another.
For more than three decades, Tami has worked alongside artists,
communicators, and nonprofit leaders to help creative work reach the people it was meant to serve. She serves as Executive Vice President of Incubator Creative Group, an international creative incubator founded in 1989 by Tami and her husband, Nate Csakany. Together they have supported emerging Christian artists and communicators across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Since 1990, Tami has helped guide artists in developing sustainable creative callings that combine message, craft, and meaningful audience connection.
Through Ruby’s Table and the broader Storyvangelist™ vision she and Nate are helping stories travel—through books, gatherings, and relational spaces that invite people to pause, reflect, and consider their own life experiences with curiosity and honesty.
Her own journey in the arts began as a full-time Christian vocalist, independently booking more than 150 performances each year. Those years on the road shaped her understanding that the most meaningful moments often happen not on the stage, but in the quiet conversations that follow a shared story.
That conviction eventually led Tami to write the novel An Echo of the Silence, a reflective story exploring generational patterns, hidden wounds, and the courage required to examine the experiences that shape our lives. The book became the foundation for Ruby’s Table, a gathering experience built around literature, conversation, and personal reflection.
Tami has also served in leadership roles within chambers of commerce, nonprofit boards, and civic organizations. She is the author of 15 Fixes for Your Ministry Funks, and Letters From Grammy.
At the heart of Tami’s work is a simple conviction: Stories surface what silence has hidden.
And when a story reaches the right person at the right time, it can open the door to reflection, healing, and new understanding.
Nate Csakany is a co-founder of Storyvangelist™ and the steady, strategic mind behind much of what makes the movement possible. Where Tami brings the story to life, Nate builds the pathways that help it travel—thoughtfully shaping the systems, structure, and opportunities that allow stories to reach the people who need them most.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Nate has spent over four decades helping creatives turn their calling into something sustainable and impactful. He has a unique ability to see both what is and what could be, quietly connecting the dots and building frameworks that support growth without losing heart.
He is the former Founder and President of Incubator Creative Group, where he spent decades guiding artists and creators in defining, developing, and sharing their work with purpose. His influence continues through the many creatives he has helped launch and sustain over the years.
At his core, Nate has a deep heart for transformational impact and a genuine belief in the power of every person’s story. At Storyvangelist, he brings that conviction forward—helping shape an ecosystem where stories are not just written, but lived, shared, and multiplied in ways that create meaningful connection and lasting change.
Together, Nate and Tami combine vision and structure, heart and strategy—creating space for others to discover the power of their own story and the courage to share it.
Chris Rowbotham brings a thoughtful blend of educational leadership, technology expertise, and community commitment to the Storyvangelist™ Board of Directors. He currently serves as the Director of Technology for the Siuslaw School District in Florence, Oregon, where he leads the planning, implementation, and support of technology systems that enhance learning for both students and educators.
Chris has a deep passion for learning and continuous improvement, and he is widely respected for his ability to solve complex problems while keeping people and relationships at the center of his work. Known for his strong organizational skills and systems thinking, he excels at managing multiple initiatives while helping teams work effectively toward shared goals.
Before stepping into technology leadership, Chris spent twelve years as a Director of Bands, teaching students from sixth through twelfth grade. His years in the classroom shaped his belief that education, creativity, and mentorship play a vital role in helping young people discover their potential.
A dedicated member of the Elks organization, Chris is deeply community-minded and values opportunities to serve alongside others who care about strengthening the places where they live. He is known by colleagues and partners alike as both a skilled problem solver and a delight to work with, bringing steady leadership and a collaborative spirit to every team he joins.
Through his role on the Storyvangelist™
board, Chris supports the organization’s mission to encourage reflection, connection, and personal growth through the power of story.
Tara Johnson is an author, speaker, and passionate advocate for the power of story to bring healing and freedom. Whether through fiction, nonfiction, or the subtle language of human behavior, Tara believes stories help people recognize their shared struggles and discover hope.
As the daughter of a preacher, Tara spent years living under the weight of people-pleasing expectations before experiencing a profound personal journey toward freedom. Today she travels widely speaking at women’s conferences, church retreats, and women’s correctional facilities, sharing how God led her from bondage into freedom. Her heart for women navigating pain, identity struggles, and life transitions has become a defining part of her ministry and message.
Tara has been published by Bethany House, Tyndale House Publishers, Annie’s Publishing, and Guideposts, and has written numerous articles and blog pieces. In addition to her writing career, she speaks at writing workshops and has appeared on radio and television. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and earned certification in Body Language through the Joe Navarro Body Language Academy in 2023.