Officers & Staff

Rev. Rebecca J. Tollefson

Executive Director
E-Mail: rtollefson@ohcouncilchs.org

The Rev. Rebecca J. Tollefson, a native of Iowa, became the Executive Director of the Ohio Council of Churches in April, 1997. She has held ministerial standing in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) since 1981. She is a graduate of Buena Vista University (1974) and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1981). Rebecca served for 10 years in parish ministry in Iowa and Minnesota, as the Director of the Commission on Faith and Order for the Minnesota Council of Churches, and then joined the national staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 1991. While there she served as Associate, Women Employed by the Church, and as Associate for Call Referral Services.

Rebecca believes that ecumenism is vital to the Christian faith community’s presence today. “We are pressed to witness to the convictions we hold dear which keep us from being competitive or minimally cooperative. We are in a new day and age ecumenically. What’s around the corner will be somewhat different from were we’ve been or what we’ve done. It is an exciting place to be.”

Director for Public Policy
E-Mail: tsmith@ohcouncilchs.org

Tom Smith is a graduate of the Ohio State University with a Masters degree in administration. He served for 15 years in the Ohio Senate in various staff positions including Chief of Staff and Senate Clerk. He finished his public service as Public Affairs Director for the State Treasurer.

Upon his retirement he joined the staff of the Council as the Legislative Advocate. He is the editor of the Legislative Brief, published bi-monthly. He is a member of Westerville Community United Church of Christ.

Ximena Jones

Administrative Assistant
E-Mail: xjones@ohcouncilchs.org

Ximena, a native of Quito, Ecuador is the Administrative Assistant. Her responsibilities include working directly with the Executive Director and other members of the staff to maintain the office running as smoothly as possible.

She also keeps the OCC web site updated. Her outside activities include gardening, reading, volunteering, walking and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

M. Carmen Andrei

Sara Ward

Sara served  15 years as the State of Ohio’s Energy Director after serving 15 years as the Weatherization Assistance Program Director.  She provides consulting in areas related to “Earthkeeping”, works with organizations such as Greater Ohio Policy Center on Smart Growth, US Department of Energy and Oakridge National Laboratory, and serves as the part time Director for Ohio Interfaith Power and Light.