FOUNDER and PRESIDENT

Michael Wear is the Founder, President and CEO of The Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capitol with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer. Michael is a leading voice on building a healthy civic pluralism in twenty-first century America. He has argued that the kind of people we are has much to do with the kind of politics we will have.

Michael previously led Public Square Strategies, a consulting firm he founded that helps religious organizations, political organizations, businesses and others effectively navigate the rapidly changing American religious and political landscape.

Michael’s first book, Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America, offers reflections, analysis and ideas about the role of faith in the Obama years and what it means for today. He has co-authored, or contributed to, several other books, including Compassion and Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement, with Justin Giboney and Chris Butler. He also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Catapult Magazine, Christianity Today and other publications on faith, politics and culture.

CHIEF OF STAFF and SENIOR ADVISOR

Phebe Meyer is the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for The Center for Christianity and Public Life, building the organizational structure and designing the programmatic direction and strategy for the organization alongside the President and CEO. She brings with her a wealth of experience establishing partnerships between unlikely allies to promote the common good; consulting start-up organizations and initiatives on their vision and brand; and working across corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors to co-create high-impact cause campaigns. Phebe has worked with major family foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Annie E. Casey Foundation, building partnerships with conservative faith organizations and center-right political organizations to further economic opportunity and mobility policy issues.

Before CCPL, she was a Senior Associate at The Clapham Group, a social impact agency working at the intersection of politics, faith, and culture. Phebe is also a founding partner of We Own Now, an organization founded by Grammy Award-winning artist, Derek Minor, that exists to celebrate Black ownership and shrink the racial wealth gap through storytelling, education, and policy advocacy. Phebe is a graduate of the College of William & Mary, with a B.A. in Socio-Cultural Anthropology.

DIRECTOR, CHRISTIAN CIVIC FORMATION

Chris Butler is a pastor, community organizer, and political strategist with over 25 years dedicated to public service at the intersection of faith and civic life. As the Director of Christian Civic Formation at the Center for Christianity and Public Life, Chris leads efforts to equip Christians for thoughtful and transformative engagement in the public square, creating resources and spaces that encourage spiritual and civic formation for the common good.

Chris has pastored at Ambassador Church (formerly Chicago Embassy Church Network) for nine years, where he has revitalized the congregation, developed a strong outreach and engagement ministry, and mentored emerging leaders to carry forward a vision of faith-centered community impact. Before going into pastoral ministry, Chris pursued an active career deeply involved in electoral campaigns and advocacy efforts, championing policy reforms and mobilizing grassroots communities. His roles spanned organizing, consulting, and strategic planning, all rooted in his commitment to advancing justice and opportunity for the marginalized.

An experienced speaker and writer, Chris co-authored Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement (InterVarsity Press, 2020), a resource guiding Christians in the pursuit of civic and political engagement rooted in biblical principles. He also served on the Leadership Council and Executive Committee of the AND Campaign, an organization dedicated to advocating for justice and compassion in public life from a Christian perspective.

Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civic and Political Engagement from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master’s in Bible and Theology from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. He has been married to his wife, Aziza, for 17 years, and together they are raising six remarkable children.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT and OFFICE MANAGER

TJ Ono is the Executive Assistant and Office Manager, supporting the CEO and the CCPL staff. He brings with him a decade of pastoral and teaching experience. From leading student ministries to teaching seminary-level Konia Greek, he has spent his career cultivating Christian communities of curiosity and wonder. His pastoral ministry spans many contexts, having served as a pastor in Baptist, Methodist, and Anglican churches, geographically spanning Houston, TX, Boston, MA, and Arlington, VA. He is ordained in the Anglican Church of North America. 

TJ graduated from Baylor University with a BSED in Health Science Studies and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with an M.Div.  

PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS FELLOW

Alice Arnold is currently the Programs and Operations fellow at CCPL. She recently graduated from Furman University with a major in Politics and International Affairs. She is a Fellow through the Fourth Fellows program, a discipleship and spiritual formation program. Through Fellows, she is taking classes at Reformed Theological Seminary and volunteer at Fourth Presbyterian Church. In her free time, she enjoys needlepoint, painting, and crafting.

FACULTY

James Catford is the founding Chair of CCPL. James had a career in commercial publishing with Hachette and HarperCollins in London before inaugurating and chairing Theos, the leading UK think tank on religion and the public square. More recently he has been chair of Renovaré founded by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and others, and of SPCK the third oldest publisher in Britain. A frequent visitor to the United States, he currently serves as chair of Cultura at the Martin Institute at Westmont College and as a consultant to American Bible Society where he supports Christians in leadership around the world. James lives in London and is married to Sue, a former journalist and TV anchor.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… a deeper life with God, spiritual formation, leading change, and commercial book publishing.

SPEAKER

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca is the Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the George W. Bush Institute. Bringing her expertise on American foreign policy, US and global democracy issues, freedom, human rights, and leadership, Bibbins Sedaca writes and speaks on behalf of the George W. Bush Institute and serves as faculty in our various leadership programs.

She has written on democracy and human rights issues for the Journal for Democracy, CNN.com, Foreign Policy magazine, The Hill, the Dallas Morning News, and many local media outlets, as well as done a TEDX Talk and been interviewed on CBS News, CNN, National Public Radio,  the Council on Foreign Relations, and various podcasts and local news outlets.

Bibbins Sedaca served as the executive vice president and interim president at Freedom House, an organization dedicated to defending and expanding freedom worldwide by promoting accountable government, the rule of law, civil liberties, and political rights.

Previously, she was a Professor in the Practice of International Affairs at Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program, and served as the Deputy Director and Chair for the Global Politics and Security Concentration in MSFS.

Bibbins Sedaca has held numerous positions in the public and non-governmental sectors in the United States and Ecuador. She served for ten years in the United States Department of State, working on democracy promotion, human rights, human trafficking, religious freedom, refugees, and counterterrorism. Following her governmental service, she opened and directed the International Republican Institute’s local governance program in Ecuador. She also taught at the Universidad de San Francisco de Quito (Ecuador) on democratization and conflict resolution, and co-led the award-winning USFQ Model United Nations team. Ms. Bibbins Sedaca has served on numerous academic and non-profit boards, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Justice Mission.

Bibbins Sedaca holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from The College of William and Mary, where she was a Presidential and Monroe Scholar. She studied at Humboldt Universitaet in Berlin, Germany, while on a Rotary International Scholarship.

SPEAKER

Gary Haugen is CEO and founder of International Justice Mission.

Before founding IJM in 1997, Gary was a human rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he focused on crimes of police misconduct. In 1994, he served as the Director of the United Nations’ investigation in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. In this role, he led an international team of lawyers, criminal prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and forensics experts to gather evidence that would eventually be used to bring the perpetrators of the genocide to justice. Gary received a B.A. in Social Studies from Harvard University, and a J.D. from the University of Chicago.

Gary has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as a Trafficking in Persons “Hero” – the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership. His work to protect the poor from violence has been featured by Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, the New Yorker, The Times of India, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, the Guardian and National Public Radio, among many other outlets. He is the author of several books, including Good News About Injustice (Intervarsity Press) and, most recently, The Locust Effect: Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence.

FACULTY

James Catford is the founding Chair of CCPL. James had a career in commercial publishing with Hachette and HarperCollins in London before inaugurating and chairing Theos, the leading UK think tank on religion and the public square. More recently he has been chair of Renovaré founded by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and others, and of SPCK the third oldest publisher in Britain. A frequent visitor to the United States, he currently serves as chair of Cultura at the Martin Institute at Westmont College and as a consultant to American Bible Society where he supports Christians in leadership around the world. James lives in London and is married to Sue, a former journalist and TV anchor.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… a deeper life with God, spiritual formation, leading change, and commercial book publishing.

FACULTY

Jake Meador is the editor-in-chief of Mere Orthodoxy. He lives in Lincoln NE with his wife and children.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Cultural and ecclesial renewal, institution building, technology, and public policy

MENTOR

The Honorable Daniel Lipinski represented the Third District of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 until 2021. A rarity in contemporary politics, he was known as a highly knowledgeable and effective lawmaker who worked to bring people together across the aisle to solve problems. Dan has degrees in engineering from Northwestern University and Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University. He is currently a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and the Pope Leo XIII Fellow on Social Thought at the University of Dallas. Dan also writes a biweekly column for The Pillar and is President of Lipinski Solutions. He is working on a book about what his experiences and his Catholic faith have taught him about how to overcome the sectarian partisan divide which threatens the American republic. Dan lives in Western Springs, IL, a suburb of Chicago, with his wife, Judy. His work can be found at danlipinski.com.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… politics, government service, academia, writing

MENTOR

John Inazu is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. His latest book is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan, 2024). He is also the author of Liberty’s Refuge: The Forgotten Freedom of Assembly (Yale University Press, 2012) and Confident Pluralism: Surviving and Thriving Through Deep Difference (University of Chicago Press, 2016), and co-editor (with Tim Keller) of Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference (Thomas Nelson, 2020). Inazu is the founder of The Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and a Senior Fellow at Interfaith America and the Trinity Forum. He holds a B.S.E. and J.D. from Duke University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… law, pluralism, higher education, public writing, book writing, institution building

MENTOR

Elizabeth Neumann is a national security expert, violence prevention advocate, and author of Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace, winner of the 2025 Christian Book Award for Faith and Culture. Elizabeth served across three Presidential Administrations - on the inaugural staff of The White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush; advising the Office of the Director of National Intelligence during the Obama Administration; and as the Department of Homeland Security’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism in the first Trump Administration. She is the Chief Strategy Officer for Moonshot, a social enterprise working to end online harms (i.e., violent extremism, child exploitation, human trafficking, etc.) and twice named one of the world’s most innovative companies by Fast Company magazine. Elizabeth leads Moonshot’s U.S. team, which supports governments, the private sector, and community partners to understand and prevent violence. Elizabeth is a national security contributor for ABC News; Board Chair for the National Immigration Forum; and Senior Fellow at CNA. She is a Fellow of the fourth class of the Civil Society Fellowship of The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… national security; public policy; leadership in difficult circumstances; serving in government and keeping your faith.

MENTOR

Jeff Haanen is a writer and entrepreneur. He’s the founder of Denver Institute for Faith & Work, an educational organization that creates content and experiences around topics related to faith, work, the economy, and culture. Currently he serves as an advisor to churches, universities, and small businesses. He’s the author of An Uncommon Guide to Retirement (2018) and Working from the Inside Out (2022). He lives with his wife and four daughters in Denver, Colorado.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… building companies/organizations, spiritual formation, faith & work

MENTOR

Pastor Campbell graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Masters of Arts in Ministry from Phoenix Seminary in 2015 and is currently a doctoral student at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has served at Desert Springs Bible Church, in Phoenix, AZ since 2006, serving as Lead Pastor since 2015. He also serves on the board of United Pastors of Arizona and as the state-wide regional director of the Surge Network. He is the founder and director of Disarming Leviathan Ministries (DisarmingLeviathan.com) which produces a podcast, explainer videos and training material to equip people to missionally engage American Christian nationalists. His book, Disarming Leviathan (InterVarsity Press) will equip Christians to minister to their Christian Nationalist neighbors. It introduces the basics of Christian Nationalism, and explores the reasons so many people are attracted to it and provides a 'field guide' for responding to American Christian Nationalist talking points along with questions and responses that “humbly subvert” their claims, and cultivate deeper, heart-level conversations.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… engaging partisan tribalism or political polarization, faith & politics, organizational culture, leadership

MENTOR

Kimberly Thornbury is a senior philanthropic leader and strategist committed to strengthening nonprofit ecosystems through leadership development, capacity building, and partnerships. As Vice President for Education and Leadership Development at the Murdock Trust, Kimberly oversees a portfolio that includes executive leadership initiatives, board and fund development training, and cross-sector convenings that shape the future of civil society in the Pacific Northwest. Her work is anchored in the conviction that networked and well-supported leaders are essential to building flourishing communities. Kimberly holds a Ph.D. in higher education leadership and previously spent over two decades in senior leadership roles in Christian higher education in NYC and TN. She has contributed to several publications, including Convictional Civility: Engaging the Culture in the 21st Century, Faith and Learning: A Handbook for Christian Higher Education, and Christian Leadership Essentials. She currently serves on the board of Messiah University. She is especially passionate about equipping and connecting today’s leaders and cultivating the next generation of nonprofit and philanthropic leadership.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… philanthropy, board leadership, fund development, executive leadership

MENTOR

Kathleen Strottman is a seasoned policy expert with a distinguished career dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. She currently serves as a Partner at GlenVista Partners LLC, a strategic advisory firm based in Washington, D.C.  Previously, Kathleen served as the Executive Director to the Global Alliance for Children and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, where she led several national and global efforts to advance the rights of vulnerable children.  Under her leadership, CCAI's programs, Angels in Adoption and the Foster Youth Internship Program, gained national recognition for their impact on child welfare policy.  Kathleen began her career in Washington as a trusted senior advisor to Senator Mary Landrieu.  She is a proud mother of four children.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Advocacy, leadership, non profit management

MENTOR

Dave Runyon helps faith, business, and government leaders unite around common causes in the Denver metro area. He serves as the Executive Director of CityUnite and as a consultant for businesses who have a desire to make a positive impact in their communities. In 2012, Dave helped to start a neighboring movement that has now spread to over 300 cities around the country. He is the co-author of “The Art of Neighboring,” which encourages faith-driven people to learn their neighbors names and throw good parties. He speaks locally and nationally encouraging leaders to collaborate for the good of their cities. Before founding CityUnite, Dave served as a pastor and was a high school history teacher. He graduated from Colorado State University where he studied history, economics, and education. Dave and his wife, Lauren, have four kids and have lived in the Denver metro area for over 25 years.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… building cross-sector partnerships

MENTOR

Todd Womack is the president and CEO of Bridge Public Affairs and former chief of staff and staff director for U.S. Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He is Corker’s longest-serving aide and remains a principal advisor. Womack’s focus as Bridge president and CEO is helping clients navigate the nexus of policy, politics and strategy in successfully achieving their state, national and international business objectives. During his time with Senator Corker, Todd was closely involved in helping Corker develop a wide range of domestic and foreign policy legislation related to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security reform; tax reform; financial regulatory reform; housing finance reform; sanctions on Iran, Russia and North Korea; Ukraine stabilization following Russia’s invasion; food aid reform; and efforts to modernize and reform how the U.S. makes global and nation-specific strategic and developmental investments. Todd also spearheaded efforts to establish the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, a U.S.-led international initiative to combat modern slavery. On Capitol Hill, he also served as the Republican chair of the bipartisan chief of staff organization, focused on creating dialogue and interaction between the 100 Senate chiefs of staff. A Chattanooga native and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga alumnus, Todd and his wife, Katie, have four children.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Finding your passion and purpose, leadership challenges in politics and business

FACULTY

James Catford is the founding Chair of CCPL. James had a career in commercial publishing with Hachette and HarperCollins in London before inaugurating and chairing Theos, the leading UK think tank on religion and the public square. More recently he has been chair of Renovaré founded by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard and others, and of SPCK the third oldest publisher in Britain. A frequent visitor to the United States, he currently serves as chair of Cultura at the Martin Institute at Westmont College and as a consultant to American Bible Society where he supports Christians in leadership around the world. James lives in London and is married to Sue, a former journalist and TV anchor.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… a deeper life with God, spiritual formation, leading change, and commercial book publishing.

FACULTY

Bethany Hanke Hoang serves as an executive advisor and communications strategist for organizations working alongside those who are most vulnerable in our world. She has authored two books exploring the critical connection between biblical justice and spiritual formation, including her co-authored work with Kristen Deede Johnson, The Justice Calling, which was awarded Christianity Today's Book of the Year for Politics and Public Life. Bethany's 19 years of service in the fight against human trafficking and other forms of violence have included senior leadership roles with IJM and the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. She holds an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a B.A. in History and Comparative Religion from Miami University. Bethany lives in Arlington, VA with her husband and three children.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Spiritual formation, biblical justice, and both present and historical perspectives on Christians engaging both; prayer; writing; publishing; preaching; hospitality ventures as a form of cultural influence; vocational discernment; organizational culture and rhythms; motherhood and leadership

MENTOR

Stephanie Summers is the CEO of the Center for Public Justice. Ms. Summers is a co-author with the late Washington Post columnist Michael J. Gerson and Katie Thompson of Unleashing Opportunity: Why Escaping Poverty Requires a Shared Vision of Justice (FallsCity Press). A frequent speaker and moderator, recent topics include Christian activism in Reformed Public Theology (Baker Academic) and leadership in The Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism, and Global Engagement (Routledge). Ms. Summers is a recipient of the inaugural Duke Divinity Reflective Leadership Award.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… being a public servant, being an engaged citizen, working across deep differences, leading faith-based organizations, political theology

MENTOR

Mindy Belz served as editor for the 2024 Christianity Today Globe project and writes the Substack newsletter Globe Trot. Her writing also appears in The Wall Street Journal, Plough Quarterly, The Dispatch, and elsewhere. She is the former senior editor of World Magazine. Her 2016 book, They Say We Are Infidels, explores her experiences covering war in Iraq and Syria. She also has reported on war and survivors in Afghanistan, Sudan, and the Balkans. Mindy serves on the board of World Relief and is an advisor to the Center for House Church Theology. She has taught journalism in the United States, Europe, Africa, and India. She worked on Capitol Hill, attended George Washington University, and was married to Nat Belz, who died in 2023. They have four children and three grandchildren.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… story ideas, pitches, a Christian outlook in a broken world

MENTOR

Having accepted the call to ministry at the age of 17 in May of 1981, and prepared himself graduating from Morehouse College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Bishop Claude Alexander has sought to serve God and community. After serving as Pastor of Morning Star Baptist in West Mifflin, PA from January of 1987 to August of 1990, Bishop Alexander has been the Senior Pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, where it has grown into a global ministry of thousands with weekly international reach. Currently, he serves on the boards of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, BioLogos, Movement.Org, Gloo, the International African-American Museum, and the Trinity Forum. He provides leadership as chair of the Board of Christianity Today Board of Directors and as Vice Presiding Bishop of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors. He is the author of Required: God’s Call to Justice, Mercy and Humility to Overcome Racial Division coauthored with Dr. Mac Pier, Necessary Christianity - What Jesus Shows We Must Be and Do, and Becoming The Church - God’s People in Purpose and in Power. He and his wife Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander have two daughters, Camryn Rene and Carsyn Richelle.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Leadership, Public Theology, Cultural Translation, Race

MENTOR

Steven Garber is the Senior Fellow for Vocation and the Common Good for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The author of several books, including Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good, and his most recent, The Seamless Life: A Tapestry of Love and Learning, Worship and Work. One of the founders of the Wedgwood Circle, he continues to serve as a consultant to colleges and corporations, facilitating both individual and institutional vocation. Long a teacher of many people in many places, he lives in Virginia among family, friends, and flowers.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… The meaning of vocation for the common good in a globalizing, pluralizing and secularizing world.

MENTOR

David M. Bailey is a public theologian,  catalyst, and culture-maker focused on cultivating reconciling communities. David is the Founder and CEO of Arrabon, a spiritual formation ministry that equips Christ-followers to actively and creatively pursue racial healing in their communities. He is the co-author of the study series, A People, A Place, and A Just Society. David is an ordained minister rooted at East End Covenant Fellowship, serving on the preaching team, and his greatest honor is to be married to his wonderful wife, Joy.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Business as a Reconciling Community, Culture-Making, Effective Cross-Cultural Engagement, Faith & Work, Leadership & Culture-Making, Reconciling Communities, Spiritual Formation, Theology and The Arts

MENTOR

Jennifer Jukanovich brings nearly three decades of domestic and international nonprofit leadership and board experience to her role as Managing Partner of Ambactus Global Solutions, which harnesses the power of connection to solve complex problems in governance, international development and education through trust-based solutions. She also serves as a coach and faculty for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and a co-investigator for the internationally celebrated 2020 GLOBE project. She is the co-author of, The Culturally Conscious Board: Setting the Boardroom Table for Impact. She served as Vice President for Student Life at Gordon College from 2013 – 2019. Prior to this, Jukanovich lived and worked in Rwanda, where her family co-founded Karisimbi Business Partners, a management consulting and private equity firm. She has also held positions as the Founder and Executive Director of The Vine, executive assistant to the president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, personal assistant to the religious liaison for the President of the United States, and associate with the Renaissance Weekends. She has her Ph.D. in Global Leadership and Change from Pepperdine University, M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Political Studies from Gordon College.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… healthy board culture, culturally conscious boards, higher education, international development, leading as women in faith-based organizations, trust-based teams, humility

MENTOR

Mark Labberton was born in Yakima, Washington, an agricultural town in Eastern Washington State. He has been married to Janet Labberton for 43 years, and they have two adult sons. Mark did an undergraduate degree in English Literature at Whitman College, his MDiv at Fuller Theological Seminary, and his PhD in hermeneutics at Cambridge University. Mark was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA in 1982, and served has primarily served as a pastor (twice at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, as well as in Carmel, CA, and in Wayne, Pennsylvania). In 2009, he became a professor of preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary, where, in 2013, Mark became its fifth president. He concluded his presidency at the end of 2022, and is now professor and president-emeritus, primarily writing, preaching, and speaking. Mark serves as a trustee for International Justice Mission. His podcast, Conversing, is distributed by Fuller Seminary and Comment Magazine. Books authored or edited include: The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus Still Evangelical? Insiders Consider Political, Social, and Theological Meaning Called: The Promise and Challenge of Following Jesus Today

I enjoy talking to fellows about… faith and the public discipleship, character, being and doing, leadership

MENTOR

Dr. Chris Lambert is the founder/CEO of Life Remodeled, award-winning author of Next Level Nonprofit, and founder/CEO of the Next Level Nonprofit organizational operating system. It’s not the career trajectory Chris envisioned when he studied marketing at Indiana University, planned for law school, or dreamed of a lucrative career as a real estate developer. But a new call took shape after a spiritual awakening during his junior year of college, and Chris went on to earn his MDiv and doctorate in preaching from Fuller and Gordon-Conwell seminaries, respectively. Moving to Liberia, Chris and his wife helped a village mobilize support to drill a well, acquire farm animals, and construct their very first school building. Upon returning to the U.S., Chris founded a church called Ekklesia. In 2010 he launched Life Remodeled, which repurposes vacant school buildings into one-stop hubs of opportunity and helps create neighborhood revitalization that lasts. From two-time TEDx speaker to lists like NABR's Best & Brightest CEOs in the Nation, SMART BUSINESS Dealmaker of the Year, and Building Design + Construction 40 Under 40, Chris’s reputation precedes him. But it’s the journey ahead—and the people who are helping to lead the way—that excites him most.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… working on strengthening their organizational capacities in order to build dream teams and increase lasting impact.

MENTOR

Nadine Maenza is a noted speaker, writer, and policy expert with more than two decades of experience as an advocate for working families and a champion for international religious freedom. Nadine is the President of the IRF Secretariat, an international organization focused on building infrastructure to support the religious freedom movement globally. They convene the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable in Washington, DC and in over 30 countries globally. She also serves as a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center. In May 2022, Nadine finished her second term as a White House appointee on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), serving her last year as Chair.

In the past six years, Nadine has traveled extensively, spending about a month each year in Syria and Iraq. She is a sought-after speaker on international religious freedom, current events in the Middle East, building inclusive societies, U.S. foreign policy, and various other topics. Her writings have been published in numerous publications domestically and internationally.

MENTOR

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is the President/CEO of the ONE Campaign. Ndidi started her career at McKinsey & Company’s Chicago office and returned to Nigeria in 2000 to serve as the pioneer Executive Director of the FATE Foundation. She is the founder of LEAP Africa, a non-profit committed to developing dynamic, innovative and principled African leaders and African Food Changemakers. She is also the co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd. and AACE Foods Processing & Distribution Ltd. Ndidi serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, Stanbic IBTC Group, the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, and the Bridgespan Group. Ndidi holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a Senior Fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, a visiting Scholar at Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow, and an Eisenhower Fellow. Ndidi is a TED speaker, and has been recognized internationally for her contributions, including as a Schwab Fellow and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and receiving a National Honor by the Nigerian Government and the Harvard Business School Distinguished Alumni Award. She is also a published author on topics related to entrepreneurship, social innovation, and resilient agriculture businesses in Africa, including “Social Innovation in Africa: A Practical Guide for Scaling Impact,” and “Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses,” and “Walking for God in the Marketplace.”

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Entrepreneurship, agriculture & nutrition, philanthropy, and social innovation

MENTOR

Evan Rosa is a communications professional with almost two decades of experience developing media strategy and directing production for ideas that make a difference. Since 2019, he's been Assistant Director for Public Engagement at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. Prior to that, he was Director of the Biola University Center for Christian Thought, where he also taught undergraduate philosophy. He received an MA in Philosophy from Biola University and BA degrees in Philosophy and Linguistics from the University of California at Berkeley. He coaches little league in New Haven, and is passionate about music, art, and surfing.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Communications and media strategy, podcasting, public platform development.

MENTOR

Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra is a Lutheran pastor, scholar, and activist with over 40 years of experience in congregational ministry, community organizing, and legislative advocacy. She serves as the Academic Dean for the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community and Associate Professor of Mission and Global Transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary. A leading voice in faith-rooted organizing, she has co-authored Faith-Rooted Organizing, Buried Seeds, and God’s Resistance, equipping Christian leaders to mobilize for justice.

A national leader in immigration and economic justice, Dr. Salvatierra co-founded the Evangelical Immigration Table, the New Sanctuary Movement, and Matthew 25/Mateo 25, advocating for immigrant rights and marginalized communities. She has worked with organizations like World Vision and the Christian Community Development Association, training leaders in strategic faith-based activism. Her ministry and leadership have earned her numerous awards, recognizing her lifelong commitment to justice and the common good.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… faith-rooted organizing, biblically-based public policy advocacy, immigration, building churches with holistic impact, and the cultural and spiritual wealth of Latina spiritual movements and communities.

MENTOR

Daniel Stid is the Executive Director at Lyceum Labs, a nonprofit that seeks to reimagine the work of politicians in the U.S. He also advises philanthropists working to strengthen civic life, pluralism, and democracy. His fortnightly newsletter, The Art of Association, focuses on these same themes. From 2013 to 2022, Daniel served as the inaugural director of the Hewlett Foundation’s U.S. Democracy Program. Previously, he was a partner at the Bridgespan Group, a management consultant at BCG, and a Congressional Fellow in the office of the House Majority Leader. Daniel chairs the board of More in Common, a nonprofit whose mission is “to understand the forces driving us apart, find common ground, and help bring Americans together to tackle our shared challenges.” He has a B.A. from Hope College, an M.Phil. in politics from Oxford University, and a Ph.D. in government from Harvard University.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… democracy, philanthropy, civil society, nonprofit leadership, vocation, professional development