Wedding Party

Hnin Soe

Maid of Honor

Hnin (pronounced "Nin") and Sam first met at the Emory University gym, both eyeing the same exercise, hip thrusts. Their instant connection led to a lasting friendship, and they text almost every day. Hnin, a Master's graduate in Public Health, now lives in Long Beach, CA with her dog, Fawkes. A passionate cook, she’s known for her delicious breakfast croissant sandwiches, and her love for Harry Potter, Disney, and romantasy books. When she’s not dominating in the gym or recently taking up boxing, Hnin is loyal, independent, and always ready to protect the people she loves.

Greg Pentz

Best Man

Greg, Jackson’s older brother, is the funniest person you'll ever meet. Last Christmas, he pranked Jackson and Sam by convincing them he'd adopted a dog with behavioral issues, wrapping up adoption papers and a collar, then playing barking sounds from his car, only to reveal a stuffed dog inside. Greg holds a paralegal certificate, runs role-playing games, and even published a book during the pandemic. With perfect pitch and a talent for sea shanties, he's known for his sarcasm and is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people around.

Jodi Go

Bridesmaid

Sam and Jodi met in middle school through the Sunrise Running Club in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Although they attended different public schools, they spent most weekends together, either hanging out or racing against each other at cross-country and track meets. Jodi is known for being up for any adventure; a typical Sam-and-Jodi hangout often involved scrambling over rocks to reach a hidden waterfall, followed by a well-earned poke bowl and a Just Cruisin’ Coffee milkshake. Jodi’s silly thoughts always make Sam laugh, and she’s the kind of lifelong friend where every catch-up feels like being back in high school. Jodi now lives in North Dakota with her very cute dogs and her fiancé, Chris.

Daniel Krasemann

Groomsman

Daniel and Jackson have been best friends from daycare to high school. They bond over Premier League soccer, travel, and spontaneous adventures—like a wild cross-country trip from Connecticut to LA that included driving 40 miles on an empty tank in the middle of the Utah desert and running a beer-fueled 10k in Colorado. Now living in LA, Daniel is an accomplished runner who finished the Boston Marathon in 2:29 and celebrates his birthdays by running the same number of miles as his age. You will likely find Daniel and Jackson laughing together about a series of "remember when" stories from high school, recalling details like they occurred just yesterday.

Annie Crider

Bridesmaid

Annie and Sam met during their McKinsey summer internship in St. Louis in 2022, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. From grocery runs to antiquing, zoo visits, or quiet weekends with wine, Annie has a way of making even the simplest moments feel meaningful. An old soul with a big heart, she is thoughtful, honest, and endlessly supportive, offering advice and care like a true big sister. Her beautifully styled apartment, filled with antique pieces and charming knick-knacks, reflects her warmth and creativity, and it’s often the setting for her signature movie nights complete with incredible food and drinks.

Christian Wiese

Groomsman

Christian met Sam and Jackson during Sam’s McKinsey summer internship in 2022, and when Sam and Jackson later moved to St. Louis full-time, he quickly became a constant and meaningful presence in their lives. He brings warmth and ease wherever he goes, effortlessly making people feel comfortable and welcome. He’s the kind of person you introduce to strangers first, because connecting with others comes naturally to him. If you meet Christian at the wedding, you’ll immediately understand.

Kennedy Baker

Bridesmaid

Sam and Kennedy met in the most fitting way possible—unexpectedly, in the alley behind their condos, when Sam jumped out of the car to meet Kennedy’s dogs, Louie and Ralphie. What started as a quick introduction turned into a meaningful friendship built on shared joys: a love for dogs, Taylor Swift, cooking and baking, discovering new restaurants, and tending to their ever-growing collections of plants. As a children’s therapist, Kennedy brings deep empathy and thoughtfulness into every relationship, making people feel seen and cared for. Her creativity shines through in all she does, from planning incredibly thoughtful celebrations to sharing something as simple and heartfelt as a loaf of her homemade sourdough.

Charlie Monroe

Groomsman

Charlie and Jackson met at the St. Louis McKinsey office in the fall of 2023, quickly bonding over a shared appreciation for perfectly timed movie references. A rare blend of business savvy and athleticism, Charlie played linebacker at Washington University in St. Louis and often talks about his dream of one day “retiring” to teach U.S. history and coach high school football. Along with Christian, the three leaned on one another through the most demanding stretches of their consulting careers. During moments when a pick-me-up was needed, they could often be found on the rooftop of Christian’s apartment building, continuing their tradition of sharing a few too many bourbons. With an ideal day defined by “a beer and a body of water” and “good people, good drinks, good times,” Charlie is sure to bring plenty of lighthearted fun to the wedding day.

Emma Ogonoski

Flower Girl

Emma met Jackson and Sam at the McKinsey office in St. Louis, and she has been bringing light and laughter into their lives ever since. She is sunshine in a person, silly and cutesy with a heart full of gold, and always the first to show up when they are having a bad day. At the office, she is famous for her adorable snack cart that she wheels around with different themed days, making even the busiest weeks feel special. Her perfectly curated apartment, filled with the cutest trinkets and Jellycats, reflects her playful spirit and thoughtful eye. We could not imagine a more radiant flower gal.

To be announced

Officiant

Sally and Keith Marrack

Mother and Father of the Bride

Sally and Keith are my (Sam's) incredible parents, and I honestly don’t know where I’d be without them. They met at Stanford and started dating just two weeks before graduation, then built a life together that took them across the country before settling on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Keith’s childhood home, where they raised me and John. My mom, Sally, is one of the most inspiring people I know, an accomplished marathon runner with a remarkable ability to build lasting friendships. My dad, Keith, is endlessly hardworking and deeply committed to the Hilo community. One of my favorite memories with them is biking the coast of Scotland, covering about 30 miles a day, which was challenging, unforgettable, and a perfect example of the adventurous spirit they have always encouraged in me. Their energy, dedication, and care have shaped who I am, and I am so grateful to call them my parents.

Amy and Chris Pentz

Mother and Father of the Groom

Amy and Chris Pentz set a remarkable example of what it means to be loving, supportive, and selfless partners and parents. They met when Amy pulled Chris onto the dance floor at a party at a college neither of them attended—and the rest was history. Today, they are award-winning educators at Suffield Academy, a private pre-boarding school in Connecticut, and spend their summers with their “third child”: a log cabin they built together on their island on a lake in Vermont. Jackson admires his mother’s sharp wit, resilience, and unwavering support. Together they have been to every baseball field in New England, kept pace on several death marches through Disney World, and outlasted 13 seasons of the History Channel's "Oak Island". Whatever life throws his way, Jackson carries Amy’s favorite pre-game reminder with him: to approach it all with “joy and intensity.” Chris has always been Jackson’s hero. From countless hours playing catch in the backyard to diving after Nerf footballs off the pontoon in Vermont—and even a brief but earnest attempt at learning squash—Jackson always wanted to be just like his dad. While the years have passed, the dream remains the same: to live up to the example of the husband and father he grew up admiring. Jackson is grateful for his parents' remarkable selflessness in support of his dreams, and for traveling thousands of miles to be at the wedding. He promises not to put them in a home... yet.