Our Team

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & BOARD CHAIRMAN
Boston, USA

Valdur Koha is a seasoned church leader, elder, and trainer with over 30 years of service in leadership, church growth, and next generation leadership development. Throughout his career, Valdur has been committed to empowering individuals and teams within the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), with a particular focus on raising up the next generation of church leaders. He has made significant contributions to global mission efforts where his leadership has been pivotal in expanding and strengthening church networks. His leadership philosophy emphasizes service, humility, and the importance of fostering unity within the body of Christ. Valdur continues to nurture the next generation of spiritual leaders through Chord’s Initiatives, striving for the ICOC to remain a vibrant and impactful community for the future.

DIRECTOR OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
San Antonio, USA

Dr. David Pocta is a visionary ministry leader, scholar, and educator with over 30 years of experience in pastoral work, leadership development, and teaching initiatives. With a deep commitment to spiritual education and leadership, he has dedicated this portion of his career to shaping and fostering collaborative, gift-based holistic leadership models. Dr. Pocta's experience spans across multiple continents, where he has served in roles ranging from Youth and Family Ministry to the Teaching Ministry. Dr. Pocta bridges academia with practical ministry strategies. Through his leadership, scholarship, and passion for spiritual growth, Dr. Pocta continues to inspire and equip the global church, shaping the future of ministry and leadership with a lasting impact.

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS
Lagos, Nigeria

Chris Ogbonnaya is an experienced Evangelist, leader, and educator with a deep commitment to church growth, leadership development, and spiritual mentorship. For almost 40 years Chris has shaped ministries across multiple countries, contributing to church planting, training leaders, and fostering spiritual growth. Through his leadership in the West Africa Missions, Chris has been a driving force in church planting and leadership training. As a Catalyst Team Member with the ICOC and as the Director of the Schools of Missions, he has played a key role in global mission efforts. Christian’s vision for the future includes expanding church networks and continuing to train impactful leaders who will build sustainable ministries across the globe.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
New York City, USA

Dr. G. Steve Kinnard is an established biblical scholar, educator, and ministry leader with over 50 years of experience in restoration movement churches. He has dedicated his career to church leadership development, biblical teaching, and theological education on a global scale. Through his leadership, Dr. Kinnard has mentored church leaders, shaped theological education, and fostered a culture of collaborative, team-based ministry. Honored with the Teacher of Teachers Award in 2024, he has been instrumental in training leaders across Africa, South Asia, and the Nordic region. His work continues to equip churches with sustainable teaching frameworks that encourage spiritual growth and leadership development worldwide.

CO-FOUNDER AND BOARD MEMBER
Atlanta, USA

Alex Hunter is a dedicated leader with over 30 years of experience in healthcare transformation, specializing in strategic, financial, and operational improvements for hospital-affiliated physician organizations. In addition to his extensive career in healthcare, Alex is deeply committed to biblical teaching within the International Churches of Christ, focusing on raising up educated scholars and paving the way for further education in the church movement. Additionally, he has also served on the Board of Directors for Hope Worldwide. Alex has made significant impact both in healthcare and spiritual communities around the world.

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS
Lagos, Nigeria

Rolayo Ogbonnaya is a dedicated Women’s Ministry Leader and educator with over 30 years of experience in empowering women and developing leaders across Africa. She has played a key role in raising women leaders and fostering biblical teaching within the International Church of Christ and West African Missions. As the Women’s Training Coordinator at NEOSOM West Africa and Director of Schools of Missions at CHORD Leadership Center, Rolayo continues to equip leaders with biblical knowledge to lead effectively and create lasting spiritual growth.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Paris, France

Yannick Le Noan is a business and financial strategist, operations leader, and church elder with decades of experience in technology, finance, and ministry leadership. He has dedicated his career to helping organizations grow sustainably, using his expertise in business development, financial planning, and church administration. Currently, as Operations Director at CHORD Leadership Center, Yannick oversees financial strategy and organizational efficiency to support global ministry efforts. With extensive experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, Yannick is committed to mentoring and strengthening Christian communities.

OPERATIONS MANAGER
San Antonio, USA

Angie Schmit is an experienced operations leader with over 20 years of expertise in team management, strategic planning, and process optimization. She currently serves as Operations Manager at Chord Leadership Center, where she oversees operational efficiencies and strategic initiatives. Previously, Angie held leadership roles at Smile Brands, Inc., where she managed teams and drove revenue growth across multiple practices. With a strong background in leadership development, financial forecasting, and problem-solving, Angie is passionate about empowering teams to make a positive impact in the community.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lansing, MI, USA

Joel Nagel is a dedicated minister, teacher, and program director passionate about biblical teaching, leadership development, and spiritual formation. He spent over two decades planting and leading the Lansing Area Church of Christ, growing the congregation from 30 to over 125 members. As Program Director of Thread at Chord Leadership Center, Joel creates immersive content that fosters engagement with Scripture and mentors emerging leaders. He’s committed to helping churches grow to maturity through collaboration and creative problem-solving.

STUDENT COORDINATOR & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Paris, France

Lucie is a creative and analytical Communications Manager at Chord Leadership Center, where she coordinates classes for students worldwide and facilitates seamless communication between directors and students. With a background in accounting, she has worked with organizations like AdSpecto and the National Democratic Institute. Lucie also has experience with Hope Worldwide and holds a Bachelors of Science from Radford University. Lucie contributes greatly to the Young Professionals ministry in Paris where she continues to make a significant impact in both her professional and volunteer work.

CREATIVE MANAGER
San Antonio, TX, USA

Josie Ziegler is a creative director and designer with over 14 years of experience, including 8 years as a Women's Ministry Leader. She specializes in visual storytelling, brand identity, and digital marketing, collaborating with clients to create meaningful, innovative solutions. Josie is passionate about leadership development, having built and led teams that prioritize creativity, efficiency, and integrity. Her work spans multiple mediums, from print and digital to motion graphics and videography. With a unique blend of creativity and leadership, Josie continues to shape work that fosters both personal and professional growth.