Our Staff

Erika Higgins

Executive director

Erika first joined Pure & Simple as a District Coordinator with the Pure & Simple Lifestyle project in 2006 and rejoined PSHE in 2018 as the Program Director and now serves as the Executive Director. Erika, married for sixteen years and a mother of four, has always had a passion for helping others, especially families, marriages and youth. She believes in the goodness in youth and strives to show them the good, beauty, and truth in themselves and in their relationships in the world around them. ​​​ 

Maury Kerschen

Director of development

A graduate of Kansas State University with dual majors in Political Science and Public Relations, she served as a personal trainer at the Greater Wichita YMCA before joining Pure & Simple Truth for Youth, Inc., as the Development Director.  Maury has given talks to many teens and parents about the virtue of chastity.  She and her husband Brian married in 2006 and have four children.

Paola "Pa" Vasquez

Office assistant

Paola loves working with youth.

Blaise Jirak

Retreat team coordinator

An excited and energetic extrovert, Blaise is the oldest of 10 children and a senior at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.