our vision
Healthy parishes served by thriving leaders.
our mission
We work side by side with clergy and ministry leaders to foster health in the communities they serve through professional executive coaching and leadership development.
our values
Self-Discovery - "Search me, O God, and know my heart." (Ps. 139:23)
Clarity of Vision - Seeking "not my will, but Thine be done." (Luke 22:42)
Servant Leadership - "Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a servant." (Phil. 2:7-8)
Clarity of Vision - Seeking "not my will, but Thine be done." (Luke 22:42)
Servant Leadership - "Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a servant." (Phil. 2:7-8)
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 leadership development through professional coaching partnerships.
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."
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Fr. Ian Pac-UrarBoard Chair
Fr. Ian serves the Presentation of Our Lord of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America.
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fr. Paul HodgeTreasurer
Fr. Paul serves as a priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and is the Director of Development for the St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology.
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Fr James RetelasVice Chair
Fr. James serves the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Sacramento, CA.
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Hollie BentonSecretary
Hollie Benton serves on the OCA Preconciliar Commission and has served Orthodox Christian Coaching since 2019.
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Spiritual advisorhis grace Bishop AnthonyBishop of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest, for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. READ MORE
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CHERITY FOATAdministrative Coordinator
Cherity Foat started at OCLI as an Administrative Coordinator in January 2022.
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ADVISORY BOARD
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HIS GRACE BISHOP ANDREI, PhDBishop of Cleveland and Vicar Bishop of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America
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CHARLES R. AJALAT, JD, FOUNDER |
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FRANK CERRA, MDDr. 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, DHLProtodeacon Peter M Danilchick has served domestic and overseas parishes and missions of the Orthodox Church for almost forty-five years, READ MORE
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Brandon HullBrandon is a 30 year veteran investor in Venture Capital and Private Equity, specializing in emerging technology in healthcare. READ MORE
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Emily KasradzeEmily Kasradze is the CFO of The Saint Constantine School in Houston, Texas, where she also teaches math. READ MORE
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REBECCA PAGANI, JDRebecca Pagani is an experienced business litigator and information security lawyer. READ MORE
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