Elizabeth Sullivan recently retired from a distinguished career in philanthropy, where she served in program leadership roles with Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the Kresge Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. Prior to her work with foundations, Sullivan’s work centered on aging services. Sullivan has served on the boards of national and community-based nonprofit organizations and has been active in professional associations throughout her career. She holds an MPA from Michigan State University.
The Rev. Jeff Thiemann is Board Chair for the Church Benefits Association and is on the Steering Committee of the Church Alliance. He was executive pastor at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek, California.
Prior to answering a call to ordained ministry, Jeff worked in a variety of business settings including as President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that provides innovative health and retirement programs to those who serve, as President and CEO of a Silicon Valley startup and nearly 20 years at Hewlett-Packard. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master of Divinity from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and graduated from Harvard Business School’s The General Manager Program.
Alesia Frerichs serves as President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America, a network of over 300 health and human services nonprofit organizations working with 1 in 50 people in over 1,400 communities united by their shared faith tradition of service in community. In her role Alesia serves as chief champion, connector and strategist for one of the largest non-profit health and human services networks in the country. Passionate about cultivating caring communities that advance health and opportunity for all, Alesia is committed to the many ways the nonprofit sector enriches and connects all our lives.
Alesia has a B.A. in economics from St. Olaf University and an M.S. in applied statistics from The George Washington University.
Kylie Bowlds serves as the Issue Education & External Relations Associate at Lutheran Services in America, where she supports the advocacy department and Disability Network through legislative research, policy analysis, communications, and member engagement.
Previously, Kylie was a program coordinator at Valparaiso University, developing mental health programs for students, faculty, and the wider community. She led suicide prevention efforts, introduced the 8 Spheres of Wellness model, and served as a peer educator, advocating for greater access to mental health resources.
Kylie earned her B.A. in psychology and sociology from Valparaiso University and is a Christ College alumna.
Sarah Dobson serves as Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America. In this role, she leads the pursuit of sound public policies that improve the health and well-being of people in America and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Sarah represents the Lutheran Services in America network before Congress, the Administration, regulatory agencies, national organizations and coalitions.
Sarah began her career working on legislative policy for two different members of the House of Representatives, making policy and funding recommendations on issues from healthcare and social security to education and the arts. After moving to the private sector and working for two small lobbying firms, Sarah most recently served as the Senior Government Relations Representative at Independent Sector.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and French from the University of Toledo.
Christopher Findlay serves as Director of Communications & Marketing at Lutheran Services in America. Chris develops and implements integrated marketing communications strategies and campaigns that center on digital and print marketing, branding, advertising, social media, website management and media relations.
Chris previously managed communications and marketing efforts for seven client associations at the management services company Verto Solutions and the Renewable Fuels Association, the leading trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry. Prior to moving to the nation’s capital, he worked on independent film productions in Los Angeles.
Chris holds a master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in film and television from Boston University.
Sarah Haight serves as Vice President of Program Planning and Growth at Lutheran Services in America. In her role, Sarah advances the long-term strategic objectives of the organization through program growth, enterprise alignment, and relationship-driven investment strategies and oversees the scaling of our national initiatives.
Previously, Sarah led a team at Ascend at the Aspen Institute that provided technical assistance and strategic guidance to organizations focused on fostering intergenerational opportunities, and as the director of the organization’s 2Gen Practice, she combined strategic planning with hands-on support to create sustainable change for families.
Sarah earned an M.S.W. in clinical social work from New York University and a B.A. in English literature from Barnard College.
Deborah Hoesly is the Chief Mission Advancement Officer at Lutheran Services in America. Deborah joined Lutheran Services in America in October 2014 as Vice President of Development. Deborah is responsible for individual, corporate and foundation giving, as well as donor relations and development strategy.
Prior to joining the organization, Deborah served as Director of Development at George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts in Fairfax, Virginia, where she was responsible for securing and monitoring compliance of $2 million in annual support for the college’s seven academic disciplines as well for the “Great Performances at Mason,” the university’s premiere presenting series of national performances, and ARTS by George!, the College’s signature annual benefit event.
Deborah earned an M.A. in arts management from George Mason University and B.A. degrees in political science and Spanish from the University of South Carolina.
Renada Johnson serves as the Senior Director of Children, Youth & Family Initiatives at Lutheran Services in America. In this role, Renada supports the Results Innovation Lab in empowering families and transforming policy and practice in the child welfare system.
Renada has more than 20 years of experience in child welfare, nonprofit, social justice and community engagement. She previously served as the Director of Youth and Birth Family Engagement at the National Center for Children and Families in Washington, DC where she led evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and programs concerning issues of trauma, child abuse, substance abuse and poverty. Renada also has trained and mentored over 400 youth and young adults to create a pipeline of community leaders and mental health professionals with expertise on communication, mental health, civic engagement and racial equity.
Renada has an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a B.S. in Psychology, both from Bowie State University.
Bill Kallestad serves as Senior Director of Public Policy & Advocacy for the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network.
Bill has a long history as an effective advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through his work at Lutheran Services in Iowa and the Iowa Developmental Disability Council, Bill led outreach and shaped policy to improve the lives of those he serves. He has advocated at the state and federal levels on issues including changes to special health care respite rates, updated voting laws, addressing the staffing workforce shortage, addressing Iowa’s growing waiting list, and making Iowa more accessible to all. Bill’s career includes more than 25 years working in the nonprofit sector.
Bill holds a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University and a bachelor’s degree in human services from Grand View University.
