A Word from our Founder, Charles Ajalat, and Chairman, Dean Harbry . . .

our vision

​Partnering with servant leaders to bring health to the communities we serve.

our mission

​The Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative strives to foster servant leadership with clergy and laity of all jurisdictions working together locally, nationally, and internationally.

our values

Repentance
Obedience
Humility
Generosity
Service
​Virtue

our beginnings

​Charles Ajalat, philanthropist and founder of multiple Orthodox non-profits, initiated through the Orthodox Vision Foundation the first National Orthodox Advanced Leadership Conference in 2017 held at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. There a vision was cast for nurturing leadership among Orthodox clergy and laity across all jurisdictions. By 2018, the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and by 2019, an Executive Director was secured. The annual Orthodox Leadership Conference now reaches an international audience and its primary programs support personal, team, and parish servant leadership development through intentional coaching and mentoring relationships.  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Representative of many jurisdictions and vocational backgrounds, the Board of Directors and Advisory Board is committed to supporting leadership development in service to God and neighbor.  We affirm what our youngest board member states below, "Just as Orthodoxy takes practice and work, cultivating and inspiring leadership in the Church should be an ongoing exercise."

dean harbry, PCC

Board Chair

Dean Harbry, PCC, serves as President & Chief Operating Officer for Brightworth. Dean has a long history of work assignments in the financial services arena. READ MORE 

fr. nicholas hubbard

​Treasurer

​Fr Nicholas graduated from St. Vladimir’s Seminary in 2009, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2011.  READ MORE 

Fr. Theodore dorrance, DMin

Fr. Theodore was ordained in 1991. He served the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, CA for two years as an assistant priest, St. Katherine in Redondo Beach, CA as proistamenos READ MORE

​Dan Abraham

Dan Abraham has served on the Board of Trustees for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese for over 20 years and has formerly served as Chairperson for the Order of St. Ignatius.  READ MORE

peter tarhanidis, phd

Peter Tarhanidis, Ph.D., is currently a Director with Janssen Pharmaceuticals R&D, supporting the Global Medical Office. Peter holds a Ph.D. in Leadership, an M.B.A & a BA in Economics.  READ MORE

patricia fann bouteneff, Phd

Patricia Fann Bouteneff, PhD, has been integrating the principles of servant leadership across her career. 
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Douglas J. Meyer

Douglas is the Director, Leadership Development for Providence Health.
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Hollie Benton, MA

Executive Director

Hollie Benton has served since September, 2019. 
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Spiritual advisor

his grace Bishop Anthony

​Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. READ MORE

STAFF

Anne Danckaert

Development Director

Anne Danckaert joined us in April, 2021.  
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CHERITY FOAT

Administrative Coordinator

Cherity Foat started at OCLI as an Administrative Coordinator in January 2022.
​READ MORE

ADVISORY BOARD

HIS GRACE BISHOP ANDREI, PhD

Bishop of Cleveland and Vicar Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
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​CHARLES R. AJALAT, JD, FOUNDER

FRANK CERRA, MD

​Dr. Frank Cerra is an Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Head of the Department of Surgery, Dean of the Medical School and former Senior Vice President of the University of Minnesota.  
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​Pdn. Peter Danilchick, DHL

Protodeacon Peter M Danilchick has served domestic and overseas parishes and missions of the Orthodox Church for almost forty-five years, READ MORE

​Andrew Geleris, MD

Dr. Andrew Geleris is a neurologist in Southern California. He also serves on the board of FOCUS North America.  READ MORE

Fr. CHAD HATFIELD, DMIN

Fr. Chad Hatfield serves as President of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York.
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​Brandon Hull

Brandon is a 30 year veteran investor in Venture Capital and Private Equity, specializing in emerging technology in healthcare.  READ MORE

​Lynette Hull

When an early foray as a small business owner was interrupted by parenting, Lynette applied her entrepreneurial energies to eighteen years of adaptive homeschooling her three children. ​READ MORE

​Emily Kasradze

Emily Kasradze is the CFO of The Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas, where she also teaches math. READ MORE

​Jessika Nebrat

Jessika Nebrat is an analyst at the Long Term Strategy Group in Washington, DC. Having earned a degree in Government and a language citation in Russian from Harvard University, READ MORE

REBECCA PAGANI, JD

Rebecca Pagani is an experienced business litigator and information security lawyer. READ MORE 

​​JOHN MARK REYNOLDS, PhD

John Mark N. Reynolds is President of The Saint Constantine School, a kindergarten through college program. He was provost at HBU and the founder of the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University. READ MORE