Who We Are

In the spring of 2021, as the world was slowly emerging from the pandemic, Candace Nassar felt God nudging her to create a safe place for moms who were weary and searching for hope. As a high school teacher, she had seen anxiety and depression skyrocket among teens, and mothers were desperate for answers. Her own heart went back to her early years of motherhood living far from family, juggling a traveling husband, and often feeling unsure of herself. What carried her through was a circle of Christian moms who mentored, prayed with, and taught her how to build a strong marriage and family. Remembering how life-giving that community was, she knew God was calling her to do the same for others. With a small team of advisors and mentor moms, she hosted a pilot group in her home that summer, and the response was so enthusiastic that by fall, the first official MomQ chapter launched in her church in Austin, TX.

From the beginning, MomQ has been about more than just meetings. It’s about creating a place where moms experience the love of Christ in real and tangible ways. Like IQ or EQ, MomQ equips women with “spiritual intelligence” for the everyday challenges of motherhood. Through multigenerational community, biblical teaching, and gospel-centered encouragement, moms discover who they are in Christ, gain tools to raise children of character, and find renewed confidence in their God-given role. What began as one small gathering in a living room has grown into a ministry where moms are transformed and families are strengthened through the power of the gospel.

Our Team

Candace is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a loving wife, and the mother of three adult children. She is a visionary leader in women’s ministry, a dedicated disciple-maker, and an experienced Bible teacher with a deep understanding of women’s spiritual and personal needs. Her insight stems from a lifetime of living across the country, including the Southeast, Northeast, California, and Texas. Married for 33 years to a wise and faithful Christian man, she is grateful that all her children are committed followers of Christ.

Candace Nassar

Executive Director and Teacher

Annie finds great joy in wrestling with the mysteries of God and inspiring others to do the same. She has her Masters in Biblical and Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. Her life mission is to teach truth and love well. The first part is simple, the second keeps her humble and dependent on the Lord.

Annie Mendrala

Curriculum Director and Teacher

Julie Whitehurst was born and raised in Texas, and has resided in Austin for the last 11 years with her husband, Kevin, and their three children, Matthew, Connor and Lily. She was raised in a family that made Jesus a priority and has continued that pursuit of Jesus daily.

Julie Whitehurst

Teacher

Lindsey has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for nearly 15 years, and she is passionate about helping people live a joy-filled life in Christ and thrive in healthy relationships. Healthy relationships are a heartfelt desire that we have in common, but getting there can seem so challenging.

Lindsey Werner

Teacher

Kathleen loves Jesus, Angelo, her loving husband of 36 years, and her 3 adult children Nick, Lizzy and Julia. She is passionate about learning and applying God’s word to her life and mentoring young women to do the same. She also enjoys leading women to serve God in their community and, the church.

Kathleen Rago

Training Director

Jana and her husband Michael have called Austin, TX home since 2018. They have three children–2 preteen girls and a toddler boy who all keep them very busy! Her husband is a Worship Pastor at Hill Country Bible Church and together they have served in full-time ministry for most of their married life.

Jana Spooner

Assistant Curriculum Director

Elizabeth brings over 15 years of nonprofit experience, along with a background in recruiting. As Marketing Director for MomQ, she combines strategy and creativity to communicate the ministry’s message clearly while keeping systems efficient and effective. She is passionate about building relationships and partnerships that help ministries grow and serve others well. Rooted in her Christian faith, Elizabeth is actively involved in women’s Bible studies and community groups. She and her husband, Elvin, serve as a premarital mentor couple. As parents of two adult daughters, they understand the lasting impact of faith in marriage and family life.

Elizabeth Carrero

Marketing Director

Erika Diaz is the Podcast Editor at MomQ, overseeing production and publishing across all platforms. A Colombian-born environmental engineer by training, she has worn many hats—engineer, Spanish teacher, and personal and group trainer—before bringing her leadership and project management skills to the podcasting world. A commissioned Colson Fellow, Erika is passionate about the Gospel, Christian apologetics, and walking alongside others through mentoring and discipleship. She serves as a mentor mom and youth group leader, investing in her community one relationship at a time. When she’s not producing content or mentoring, you’ll find her lifting weights, training in Jiu Jitsu, or doing what she loves most—talking with people.

Erika Diaz

Podcast Editor

Board of Directors

MomQ is a 501 c (3) non-profit led by faithful volunteers who believe that God designed the family as the building block of society. They are committed to providing moms with encouragement and counsel from a biblical perspective.