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.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE MANAGER

Joy Harris has over a decade of operations and administrative experience, specializing in work with faith-based content, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Joy thrives on taking care of behind-the-scenes details: making sure the "trains are running on time" and that our daily operations are in line with our priorities.

Outside of work, Joy is a committed fundraiser for the ALS Association, serves as the People's Warden on her church's Parish Council, and enjoys running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Bowling Green State University.

FACULTY

Over the past 31 years, I have been immersed in various forms of for-profit and non-profit industries, ranging from start-ups to multi-national entities. A native of Colorado, I have had a variety of vocational positions including those of Vice President of Communications and Creative Services at Promise Keepers for 10 years, Senior Consultant to numerous book authors for Yates & Yates, LLC in Orange, CA for 2 years, President of Convergence Planning for 9 years, and Co-Founder, Chief Visionary Officer Owner and Lead Trainer of the Paterson Center for 16 years. In 2022, I sold the Paterson Center to three leaders who are trained in the Paterson Processes, and I continue to stay involved with Paterson, serving clients and writing content.

I’ve guided over 1,000 individuals and hundreds of organizations through the Paterson Processes over the last 30 years. I started guiding Otter Products through the StratOp Process when they were at $4MM in Revenue in 2006, and have continued to serve in this role through their growth to a $1BN+ company, to which they attribute much of that growth to the Paterson StratOp Process. I now dedicate my time to working with clients, developing guides, innovating on the process, and creating content to help more people experience the profound impact of the Paterson Processes.

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

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.

MENTOR

Trey Clark is an assistant professor of preaching at Fuller Seminary and co-founder of The Black Contemplative Society. Over the last 20 years, he has served in diverse ministry contexts throughout the US, most recently, in pastoral ministry in Southern California. He holds degrees from Wheaton College and Fuller Seminary, where he completed his MDiv and Ph.D. Dr. Clark’s research and teaching interests are at the intersection of preaching and spiritual formation with a focus on the historical and theological wisdom of Black church traditions. He enjoys serving in his local church, offering talks on spirituality, preaching, and Howard Thurman, and walking alongside emerging leaders as a spiritual companion. He lives with his wife Dominique, an economic development consultant, and daughter in Southern California.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… self-care rhythms, the intersection of spirituality and social justice, and navigating work, family, and school commitments.

MENTOR

Art Hooker is the founder and Principal of New Metropolitan a social design and production company. He has had the opportunity to consult, design, and produce campaigns and content for leading brands such as Herman Miller, Ingram Micro, Verizon, The White House, and the American Heart Association. Informed by over 10 years of qualitative research on 5 continents in the areas of passion, creativity, and movements, he partners with companies and individuals who desire to replenish the metropolitan regions of the world through leadership development, learning, media, and business innovation. During his career, Art has won numerous awards in the areas of entrepreneurship, film, theater, speaking, and learning design. In 2017 he formed Hope Labs Inc., a nonprofit to help create innovative collaborative opportunities for individuals, corporations, and non-profit and civic organizations. Growing up with 4-time Grammy Award Winning Blues Legend John Lee Hooker as a great uncle, Art has a unique perspective of how the arts and entrepreneurship can affect culture globally and locally. He uses key insights from his life experiences as well as those gained in his international work in over 20 countries to procure unique strategies, films, digital content, and communication plans that meet each client's custom needs.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… leadership, organizational organization and strategic change, storytelling, influence, how to create inclusive good change, the growth posture.

MENTOR

Heather Larson is the Founder and Principal Advisor of the philanthropic consulting firm LiveGive, a professional services company dedicated to helping generous people and families achieve maximum impact with their philanthropy dollars. LiveGive also provides executive coaching for CEOs and Boards. Heather has 22 years of non-profit experience, including more than a decade of executive leadership and overseeing an organization’s $77M annual revenue and 350 employees. Heather has worked for the American Red Cross and Willow Creek Community Church in addition to overseeing strategic partnerships with over 150 non-profit organizations around the world. Heather started Celebration of Hope, an annual initiative to engage people in global causes. Heather serves on the Board of Directors for Clearwater Capital Partners, LLC. Heather is an alumnus of Taylor University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business. Whether dreaming with a woman in a hut in Malawi, brainstorming with an entrepreneur in Guatemala or connecting with a business owner in Chicago, Heather loves helping people maximize their potential. Her favorite time, though, is hanging out with her husband and their two teenage daughters. She loves traveling, exploring nature, getting lost in great music or a good book, cooking and hosting parties, gardening, walking the beach (whenever she can get near one), and polishing rocks to find the hidden beauty.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… self-leadership, executive leadership, strategic philanthropy.

MENTOR

Reverend Doctor Nicole Massie Martin was born and educated in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a triple major in Human and Organizational Development, Educational Studies, and French. Dr. Martin received her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. She earned a Doctor of Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with an emphasis on African American Redemptive Leadership. Dr. Martin serves as the Chief Impact Officer at Christianity Today. She is the founder and Executive Director of Soulfire International Ministries, which accelerates thriving for pastors, churches, and younger leaders. She is also active in her local congregation in Maryland at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church where she supports the Discipleship Ministry. Dr. Martin is a gifted writer and author of Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry and Leaning In, Letting Go: A Lenten Devotional. She serves on the boards of the National Association of Evangelicals and the Center for Christianity and Public Life and has been inducted into the esteemed Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. Dr. Martin is married to her best friend, Dr. Mark Martin, and they have two amazing daughters, Addison and Josephine.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… leadership, discipleship, partnerships.

MENTOR

Mike worked at Redeemer Church in NYC where he ran Hope for New York before relocating to the United Kingdom. In the UK, he was the CEO of a Donor Advised Fund and Generosity movement called Stewardship. He works for the National Christian Foundation as President of the NYC and the Northeast office. Affirming dignity is his personal mission, believing every person has worth and dignity as the image-bearers of God. Mike has been actively involved in many charities serving the poor and marginalized. He is passionate about efforts to end trafficking and caring for the survivors of this heinous evil. A former board member of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, he values honest, pointed questions and honest, gracious answers related to the Christian faith. Finally, he is exploring how to get more involved in responding to trauma and abuse in our faith communities and broader culture.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… organizational culture, radical generosity, engaging culture, and affirming dignity.

MENTOR

Noah Toly has served as Provost of Calvin University since 2021. Prior to joining Calvin, Noah served Wheaton College as Professor of Urban Studies and Politics & International Relations, where he was also the founding and Executive Director of the Center for Urban Engagement. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy and an M.A. in Theology. Noah has also served as Senior Fellow for Global Cities at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Lecturer at the Free University of Berlin's Center for Global Politics. He has held appointments as Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago's Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion, Associate Fellow at the University of Virginia's Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and Visiting Scholar at Duke Divinity School. Noah has served on the boards of the Evangelical Environmental Network, the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, and Exodus World Service. He is the author or editor of numerous books and articles and a frequent speaker on urban and environmental politics and ethics.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… leadership, organizational culture, change management, pitching your article or book to an editor.

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. He 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. On Capitol Hill, Womack 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. Womack is the chair of the Hamilton County Schools Foundation and a Governor-appointed member of the Advisory Board of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is a Visiting Fellow at George Mason University’s National Security Institute at the Antonin Scalia Law School. A native of Chattanooga, Todd graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He and his wife Katie have four children, Laura Kate, Rebekah, John, and Andrew.

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

Dr. Barbara L. Peacock is the award-winning author of Soul Care in African American Practice. Dr. Peacock is the founder of Peacock Soul Care (PSC). PSC is an institution that offers a certificate of completion in Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Formation for persons seeking the deeper journey with God. PSC is an inclusive Christocentric institute and is the first African American institute that offers these two certificates. Dr. Peacock received her Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC; her master’s degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Her dissertation emphasis was Spiritual Direction for Ministry Leaders. She is a passionate spiritual director, preacher, teacher, and intercessor. She serves as a spiritual leader for individuals and groups, desiring them to experience a deeper relationship with God that propels them to accomplish all they are called to be and to do. She is committed to serving with the Charlotte-based True Value of a Woman Ministry, BraveWorks, and for Charlotte Prayer Network (a branch of Movement Day). She served as a national speaker with the Exponential Group, a fundraising organization founded by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, author of The Prayer of Jabez. Dr. Peacock enjoys traveling, writing, and exercising. She has been married to Gilbert for 44 years. They are the owners of Freedom Financial Advantage. The Peacock’s have one daughter, Vernee. She is married to Michael. They and the Peacock’s grandchildren, Eden and Eliah, reside in Milton, MA.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… prayer, soul care, spiritual direction and spiritual formation.

MENTOR

Tamia Booker is a veteran political strategist with nearly two decades of experience building dynamic coalitions and working with national leaders to drive meaningful change. Tamia has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Cory Booker and National Political Director for his presidential bid, Senior Advisor on President Biden’s Inaugural Committee, National African American Outreach Director for Hillary Clinton, Executive Director of the College Democrats of America, and an appointee of President Barack Obama - serving as his Associate Director of External Affairs within his Department of Health and Human Services. Across these roles, and now as a consultant to leaders and causes she believes in, Tamia has built a national reputation for organizing people and advancing tangible solutions in the world of politics, policy, government and philanthropy. She’s a recipient of the 2014 NAACP Unsung Hero Award and the National Action Network’s 2018 Women Who Are Called to Action Award’ alongside then-Senator Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Tamia is a proud HBCU alum, a graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), and a Philadelphia area native. She is based in Washington, DC.

I enjoy talking to fellows about... leadership development, coalition building, political engagement and strategy

MENTOR

Andrew Hanauer is the President and CEO of the One America Movement, an organization founded by faith leaders to fight toxic polarization. One America supports faith leaders and faith communities to reject toxic forms of division and offer a moral vision that transcends our divisive and disconnected culture. Under Andrew’s leadership, the One America Movement has become one of the largest and fastest growing organizations combating division in American society, growing from four staff to more than twenty in the past two years. Andrew is a frequent public speaker at houses of worship of all kinds and has spoken at the United Nations, the National Press Club, and to Congress. His work has been published or featured by USA Today, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Salon, the Christian Citizen, and media outlets across the US. When he is not fighting toxic polarization, Andrew is spending time with his family, coaching little league, rooting for the Golden State Warriors and Arkansas Razorbacks, and leading a small group at his church.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Leadership, leading through division, and all things organizational culture.

MENTOR

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

Steven Harris currently serves as Senior Director of Academic Programs at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. He previously spent several years on Capitol Hill building coalitions and working on domestic and international public policy issues at the intersection of religion, justice, and human dignity. In 2018, he testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs in a hearing entitled, "Protecting Civil Society, Faith-Based Actors, and Political Speech in Sub-Saharan Africa." His testimony focused on human rights, national security interests, and constricting civil society spaces in Sudan, Rwanda, and the DRC. In 2019, he spent time in South Korea producing a short documentary film on North Korean defectors and DPRK human rights violations. His most recent publications include chapter contributions to two edited volumes: For God So Loved the World: A Blueprint for Kingdom Diversity (B&H Academic, 2020), and The Oxford Handbook of Calvin and Calvinism (Oxford University Press, 2021). A Vanderbilt graduate, Steven holds an MDiv from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, an MA in religion from Yale, and an MA in religion from Harvard — where he is also teaching fellow and PhD candidate in American religious history and African American studies.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… The Christian scholar in the academy; historical consciousness; spiritual, moral, and ethical formation; theology, democracy, and public policy; race and religion.

MENTOR

Melinda Henneberger is the Metro columnist for The Sacramento Bee. She has covered criminal justice, local and state government, hospitals, social services, prisons and national politics. For 10 years, she was a reporter for The New York Times in New York, Washington, D.C., and Rome. As an opinion writer for The Kansas City Star, she won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2022, was a Pulitzer finalist for commentary in 2021, for editorial writing in 2020 and for commentary in 2019. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned a graduate degree from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… the opportunities and challenges of faith-based journalism.

MENTOR

Dr. Joel Hunter is a prominent community leader, pastor and bridge-builder, who seeks common ground for the common good. He is the Faith-Based Presdent of PARABLE FOUNDATION, partnering with organisations to incubate, advance, and accelerate social change initiatives focused on empathy and education. Neither partisan or politically oriented, Dr. Hunter, due to his ministry involvement in public policy, often relates to public officials in a pastoral role. He was a spiritual advisor to President Obama, writing devotions for him weekly and praying with him periodically. In 2018, Orlando Magazine listed him as the #1 most powerful voice for philanthropy and community engagement. He has served in leadership councils for the World Evangelical Alliance (600 million) and the National Association of Evangelicals in the U.S (45 million). He is continually working for peace and the God-given dignity of all people.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… Realizing the value and necessity of those not in your group, personalizing issues rather than debating them, and telling stories as a way to win people’s’ hearts so that they will open their brains.

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

I am the son of immigrants and the first in my family to graduate high school. Faith has always been an important part of my journey. Early church experiences including Lutheran, Wesleyan, and Catholic traditions before my family joined a Pentecostal congregation in Washington, DC. My spiritual home has evolved over the years, and I’ve tried to appropriately bring my values into the work that I do. It has been a blessing to serve as the Deputy Director for Religious Affairs on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign, as head of outreach to a range of belief communities in the White House Office of Public Engagement from 2009-2013. I later served as national director of AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) before being tapped as Acting Director of the Community Relations Service (CRS) at the Justice Department in 2016. From 2017-2022 I worked as Chief of Staff to the President & Assistant Vice President of External Affairs at Howard University. President Biden nominated me to return to CRS in December 2021 and the U.S. Senate confirmed my nomination in April 2022.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… social capital and community.

MENTOR

Steve serves the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust as the CEO Emeritus. The Trust is a private foundation which seeks to nurture and enrich the educational, spiritual, cultural, and social life of individuals, families, and communities with particular interest in the Pacific Northwest.

Steve is an alumnus of McMurry University, Asbury Theological Seminary, St. Andrews University, and the University of Michigan. He did post-grad work at Hebrew University and Harvard University and served as a visiting scholar at Oxford University. He is a widely published author and speaker and has served in a number of leadership and board roles in community, educational, and professional organizations. Steve and his wife Thanne, a professional speech pathologist, have four children: Madison and his wife Chandi, Maegan and her husband Jon Hart work in New York City; and Mollie, who works in Washington, D.C. The Moore's have three grandchildren and share their home with Cooper, a fun­loving yellow lab.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… leadership, organizational culture, spiritual formation, and creative engagement with community leaders.

MENTOR

Jack Johnson Pannell, Jr. grew up in the Midwest and is the Founder and President of The Collegiate Schools Foundation, a non-profit enterprise dedicated to the advancement of a generation of boys deserving the finest education possible. Prior to the establishment of the Foundation, Mr. Pannell founded Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys with a mission to become a national model for the education of the urban male learner. Since its founding, Baltimore Collegiate has improved the educational outcomes for more 850 boys. Mr. Pannell previously held several positions in politics and government, including serving as the communications director for the late Congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis. Mr. Pannell is a graduate of Amherst College and Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and recently earned a certificate In School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is a North American trustee of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC), which is a global organization of Boys’ school leaders. He was recently tapped by colleagues on the IBSC board to lead a global Task Force on Recognizing, Acknowledging, and Addressing Inequities in the Lives of Young Men of Color.

I enjoy talking to fellows about… reimagining education, social entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

MENTOR

Stephanie Summers is the CEO of the Center for Public Justice. Ms. Summers is co-author with former Washington Post columnist Michael J. Gerson and Katie Thompson of Unleashing Opportunity: Why Escaping Poverty Requires a Shared Vision of Justice (Falls City 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.