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.
Paul Chobanian is an accomplished financial and operational leader with two decades of experience overseeing organizational strategy, financial management, and information technology systems. His work emphasizes fiscal transparency, regulatory compliance, long‑term sustainability, and the integration of data‑driven decision‑making across complex organizations. In addition to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Lutheran Services in America, Paul serves as an adjunct professor at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.
Paul began his career at PwC in Boston, specializing in the health industries sector and supporting clients in biotech, government research, medical devices, and manufacturing. A certified public accountant licensed in Massachusetts, Paul is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Humentum and is certified in USAID Assistance Management.
Paul holds a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.
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 Gentner serves as a Program Associate at Lutheran Services in America where she supports the aging portfolio. In this role, Sarah coordinates projects, convenings, and communications that engage senior leaders across Lutheran Services in America’s national network.
In her most recent role, Sarah worked at the LGBTQIA+ Aging Project at Fenway Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center. She managed logistics for a national conference, conducted a needs assessment for older adult patients, and provided administrative support to a legislative commission. Sarah has also held roles in academic and health and human services capacities.
Sarah earned her M.S.W. from Boston University and a B.S. in Public Health from the University of Michigan.
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.
