Dr. Antonio Oftelie conducts research, teaches and advises on how leaders create exceptional environments for organizational innovation and adaptation. Based in the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard University, Antonio has developed and taught in more than 60 Harvard executive education programs.
Antonio advises senior government and business executives on organizational transformation. In this capacity, he has directly advised three governors, public and private organizations and two White House administrations. Antonio is the current U.S. Federal Monitor for the consent decree overseeing the Seattle Police Department.
Antonio holds a B.S. in Management and Ethics from Crown College, an M.P.A. with a Business and Government Policy concentration from Harvard University and a doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University.
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).
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.
Wendy Beach is Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Lutheran Services in America, leading the organization’s corporate messaging and positioning, brand management and marketing efforts, and media relations strategy. Wendy was previously Director, Brand Marketing at Choice Hotels where she led the marketing strategy for nine of its hotel brands, spearheaded targeted media campaigns, brand redesigns and innovative partnerships, as well as pioneered a digital marketing tool to empower thousands of franchisees.
Prior to Choice Hotels, she was Director, Marketing and Communications at Global Impact, a $120 million nonprofit, where she transformed the marketing of the world’s largest workplace giving campaign leading to a record-breaking $67 million campaign. Earlier in her career, Wendy was Senior Manager of eBusiness Marketing at Fannie Mae.
Wendy graduated cum laude from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire.
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, 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 joined Lutheran Services in America in October 2014 as Vice President of Development. In this role, 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 Director, Children, Youth and Family Practice Lead 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, 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.
