The Rev. Kevin D. Robson has served as the Chief Mission Officer for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) since 2015, supervising the Synod’s Offices of International Mission, National Mission and Pastoral Education as well as its Mission Advancement (donor engagement and fundraising) and Communications units. He had previously served God’s faithful as a parish pastor for LCMS congregations in Minnesota from 2001 onward.
Prior to earning his MDiv at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne in 2001, Pastor Robson enjoyed a broad career in R&D, product management, sales, business development and consulting with Union Carbide Corporation (Chicago, IL) and Air Products and Chemicals (Allentown, PA). He is a graduate of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (MBA Finance and Marketing, 1988) and The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (BS Chemistry, BSE Chemical Engineering 1982).
The Rev. Jeff Thiemann is President and CEO of Portico Benefit Services, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which provides innovative health and retirement programs to those who serve. He 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 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.
Dr. Anthony Bateza is an Associate Professor of Religion and Chair of the Race, Ethnic, Gender and Sexuality Studies department at St. Olaf College, and an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church (ELCA). He earned degrees from Iowa State University (B.S.), Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (M.Div.) and Princeton Theological Seminary (Ph.D.).
Anthony is a specialist in Martin Luther, moral theology and Christian ethics. His research examines Luther’s understanding of human agency and his relationship with the virtue tradition. His other scholarly interests include the broader Augustinian tradition, the impact of Luther’s thought on 19th century philosophy, and questions of race, identity and social justice.
Alesia Frerichs is the President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America. Alesia previously served as the chief strategist for the network’s collaboration and innovation efforts. During her tenure, Alesia launched several groundbreaking initiatives, including the Results Innovation Lab, Rural Aging Action Network, Reimagining Diversity Collaborative and other programs that connect national partners with social sector leaders and empower older adults, children, families and others experiencing need.
Prior to joining Lutheran Services in America, Alesia was an entrepreneur who launched and led an independent consulting practice for 10 years, providing strategic management support to nonprofit executives. She also held senior leadership positions at MCI WorldCom and Sapere Consulting. She currently serves on the board of Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing and the Lutheran Financial Managers Association and is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, DC.
Alesia earned an M.S. in statistics from The George Washington University and a B.S. in economics from St. Olaf College.
Sarah Dobson serves as Senior Director of Public Policy and 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 Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications 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.
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 and 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 the Disability Network Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.
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.
Kent Mitchell is Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at Lutheran Services in America. Kent leads the development and implementation of high-impact partnerships and collaborations that empower nonprofit leaders, build organizational capacity and incubate learning and innovation.
Kent has more than 20 years of experience expanding evidence-based education and health and family strategies on a national scale. Kent directed state government affairs for the National Head Start Association where he led the Early Head Start Rising initiative. Prior to that, he designed research and policy initiatives at the Pew Charitable Trusts. During his tenure with the Corporation for National and Community Service, Kent co-led the launch and first year of the Obama Administration’s Social Innovation Fund.
Kent earned a master’s degree in public policy and nonprofit management from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor’s degree in politics from Earlham College.
