Executive Staff
Joel Woodruff
President, C.S. Lewis InstituteJoel Woodruff, President, C.S. Lewis Institute, has worked in higher education, “tent-making,” nonprofit administration, and pastoral ministries in Alaska, Israel, Hungary, France, and Northern Virginia. He served as Dean…
Team Members
Joel Woodruff
President, C.S. Lewis InstituteJoel Woodruff, President, C.S. Lewis Institute, has worked in higher education, “tent-making,” nonprofit administration, and pastoral ministries in Alaska, Israel, Hungary, France, and Northern Virginia. He served as Dean of Students, Chaplain, and Professor of Bible & Theology at European Bible Institute, where he helped train Europeans both for professional ministry and to be Christian leaders in the marketplace. Prior to joining the Institute, he was on the leadership team of Oakwood Services International, a nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization. He is a graduate of Wheaton College, earned his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and has a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. As a Parish-Pulpit Fellow, he studied Biblical Backgrounds & Archaeology in Israel for a year.
Joseph A. Kohm
Vice President for Development, CSLI & CSLI City Director, Virginia BeachJoseph A. Kohm, C.S. Lewis Institute Vice President for Development and City Director for Virginia Beach. Joe is an attorney and formerly worked as a Certified Major League Baseball…
Team Members
Joseph A. Kohm
Vice President for Development, CSLI & CSLI City Director, Virginia BeachJoseph A. Kohm, C.S. Lewis Institute Vice President for Development and City Director for Virginia Beach. Joe is an attorney and formerly worked as a Certified Major League Baseball Player Agent. He earned his Master’s in Management Science from the State University of New York at Oswego and both his J.D. and M.Div. from Regent University. Joe is the author of The Unknown Garden of Another’s Heart: The Surprising Friendship between C.S. Lewis and Arthur Greeves (Wipf and Stock, 2022.)
Thomas A. Tarrants
Author, President Emeritus, CSLIThomas A. Tarrants is President Emeritus of the C.S. Lewis Institute. After serving twelve years as president and nine years as vice President, he retired from his position as…
Team Members
Thomas A. Tarrants
Author, President Emeritus, CSLIThomas A. Tarrants is President Emeritus of the C.S. Lewis Institute. After serving twelve years as president and nine years as vice President, he retired from his position as Vice President for Ministry and Director, Washington Area Fellows Program, with CSLI in June 2019. He holds a Master’s of Divinity Degree, as well as a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Spirituality. Tom is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Church Alliance and a member of the Evangelical Theological Society. He spends his time writing, mentoring, consulting and traveling. His life story is told in Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love, published by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Thomas W. Simmons
Executive Vice President, CSLIThomas W. Simmons, CSLI Executive Vice President, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with degrees in chemistry and English literature. He has also undertaken graduate…
Team Members
Thomas W. Simmons
Executive Vice President, CSLIThomas W. Simmons, CSLI Executive Vice President, is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with degrees in chemistry and English literature. He has also undertaken graduate studies in business and finance. A 30-year Wall Street career led to positions as Senior Vice President in investment banking and finally as Managing Director of a venture capital firm. He has served on various boards of directors and boards of advisors.
Senior Fellow Staff
Arthur W. Lindsley
Senior Fellow for Apologetics, CSLIArthur W. Lindsley is the Vice President of Theological Initiatives at the Institute for Faith, Works, & Economics. He has served at the C.S. Lewis Institute since 1987 both…
Team Members
Arthur W. Lindsley
Senior Fellow for Apologetics, CSLIArthur W. Lindsley is the Vice President of Theological Initiatives at the Institute for Faith, Works, & Economics. He has served at the C.S. Lewis Institute since 1987 both as President until 1998 and currently as Senior Fellows for Apologetics. Formerly, he was director of Educational Ministries at the Ligonier Valley Study Center, and Staff Specialist with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. He is the author of C.S. Lewis’s Case for Christ, True Truth, Love: The Ultimate Apologetic, and co-author with R.C. Sproul and John Gerstner of Classical Apologetics, and has written numerous articles on theology, apologetics, C.S. Lewis, and the lives and works of many other authors and teachers. Art earned his M.Div. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
James M. Houston
Professor, CSLI Co-Founder, Senior Fellow for Faith and Vocation, CSLIJames M. Houston is a co-founder of the C.S. Lewis Institute. From its beginning, Jim has served as a Senior Fellow of the Institute, lecturing at CSLI events over…
Team Members
James M. Houston
Professor, CSLI Co-Founder, Senior Fellow for Faith and Vocation, CSLIJames M. Houston is a co-founder of the C.S. Lewis Institute. From its beginning, Jim has served as a Senior Fellow of the Institute, lecturing at CSLI events over the past four decades. He received his Bachelor of Science and M.A. degrees from the University of Edinburgh and a D. Phil. from Oxford University. He was a University Lecturer at Oxford from 1947 – 1971 where he taught cultural and historical geography. While teaching at Oxford, he met C.S. Lewis and participated in a regular Bible study with him for six years. He is known as one of the “founding fathers” of Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia where he has served as the first Principal, Chancellor and Professor of Spiritual Theology.
Jana Harmon
Senior Fellow For Christian Apologetics, CSLIJana Harmon, Ph.D, is the Senior Fellow For Christian Apologetics for the C.S. Lewis Institute and a Teaching Fellow for C.S. Lewis Institute Atlanta. She serves on the Atlanta…
Team Members
Jana Harmon
Senior Fellow For Christian Apologetics, CSLI
Jana Harmon, Ph.D, is the Senior Fellow For Christian Apologetics for the C.S. Lewis Institute and a Teaching Fellow for C.S. Lewis Institute Atlanta. She serves on the Atlanta Advisory Board and as an Adjunct Professor of Cultural Apologetics at Biola University. Her doctoral research studied the religious conversion of atheists to Christianity looking at the perspectives and stories of 50 former Atheists. She views apologetics through a practical, evangelistic lens. She is the host of Side B Stories podcast for the C.S. Lewis Institute. Jana received her PhD from the University of Birmingham, England.
Jerry Root
Professor, Christopher W. Mitchell Senior Fellow for C.S. Lewis StudiesJerry Root is the Christopher W. Mitchell Senior Fellow for C.S. Lewis Studies at the C.S. Lewis Institute; Emeritus Professor of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and a visiting Professor…
Team Members
Jerry Root
Professor, Christopher W. Mitchell Senior Fellow for C.S. Lewis StudiesJerry Root is the Christopher W. Mitchell Senior Fellow for C.S. Lewis Studies at the C.S. Lewis Institute; Emeritus Professor of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and a visiting Professor at Biola University. He received his Ph.D. from the Open University through the Oxford Centre for Missions Studies. Jerry has nine published books, as well as numerous articles and publications about C. S. Lewis and evangelism in other books, journals, and periodicals, as well as read numerous academic papers at various academic venues. Recently, he published, Splendour in the Dark, a book about C. S. Lewis’s narrative poem Dymer (the book also includes Lewis’s 100-page poem). Jerry has lectured on Lewis topics at 79 Universities in 19 different countries.
Kevin J. Vanhoozer
Professor, Senior Fellow for Systematic Theology, CSLIKevin J. Vanhoozer is the Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Systematic Theology and the…
Team Members
Kevin J. Vanhoozer
Professor, Senior Fellow for Systematic Theology, CSLIKevin J. Vanhoozer is the Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Systematic Theology and the Journal of Theological Interpretation. He earned his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. Previously, he served as Blanchard Professor of Theology at Wheaton College and as Senior Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies at New College, University of Edinburgh. He has edited multiple books, including The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology and Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible. He is the author of many books, most notably, Is There a Meaning in this Text? and The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology.
Lyle Dorsett
Professor, Senior Fellow for Spiritual Formation, CSLILyle Dorsett, Professor, holds the Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism at Beeson Divinity School in Samford University. He taught courses in evangelism, spiritual formation and church history. He also…
Team Members
Lyle Dorsett
Professor, Senior Fellow for Spiritual Formation, CSLILyle Dorsett, Professor, holds the Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism at Beeson Divinity School in Samford University. He taught courses in evangelism, spiritual formation and church history. He also serves as the pastor of Christ the King Anglican Church in Homewood, Alabama. Lyle received his PhD in American history and has published numerous books, including several Christian biographies and three works on C. S. Lewis.
Stuart McAlpine
Pastor, Teaching Fellow, CSLIPastor, Teaching Fellow, CSLI Stuart McAlpine, is a teaching fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute and the founding pastor of Christ our Shepherd Church located on Capitol Hill in Washington,…
Team Members
Stuart McAlpine
Pastor, Teaching Fellow, CSLIPastor, Teaching Fellow, CSLI Stuart McAlpine, is a teaching fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute and the founding pastor of Christ our Shepherd Church located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. He speaks at churches and conferences around the world and lectures for the C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program. His most recent book is: Here’s Hoping: Recovering Hope for Heaven and Earth. Stewart has a great knowledge of and love for the works of C.S. Lewis. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Theology from Cambridge University in Great Britain.
Tom Schwanda
Professor, Senior Fellow for Christian Spirituality, CSLITom Schwanda is associate professor of Christian Formation and Ministry emeritus at Wheaton College and adjunct associate professor of Christian Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary. Tom earned a Ph.D….
Team Members
Tom Schwanda
Professor, Senior Fellow for Christian Spirituality, CSLITom Schwanda is associate professor of Christian Formation and Ministry emeritus at Wheaton College and adjunct associate professor of Christian Spirituality at Fuller Theological Seminary. Tom earned a Ph.D. from Durham University, a D.Min. from Fuller, and a M. Div. from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He also studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters and three books, including The Emergence of Evangelical Spirituality: The Age of Edwards, Newton, and Whitefield and is currently preparing a book on George Whitefield, a biography that will highlight the importance of Puritans in his ministry.
William L. Kynes
Pastor, Senior Fellow for Pastoral Theology, CSLIPastor William L. “Bill” Kynes is the Senior Fellow for Pastoral Theology at the C.S. Lewis Institute, and retired Senior Pastor of Cornerstone, an Evangelical Free Church, in Annandale,…
Team Members
William L. Kynes
Pastor, Senior Fellow for Pastoral Theology, CSLIPastor William L. “Bill” Kynes is the Senior Fellow for Pastoral Theology at the C.S. Lewis Institute, and retired Senior Pastor of Cornerstone, an Evangelical Free Church, in Annandale, VA, where he served from 1986 – 2022. He was an undergraduate at the University of Florida with a major in philosophy. There he also played quarterback and was later inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, receiving an MA in theology. He received an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, before returning to England for a PhD in New Testament from Cambridge University. From 1997-1999, he served as an adjunct professor in New Testament for the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Washington, DC, Extension Program.
Administrative Staff
Semy Godo
Senior Administrative Manager, CSLISemy Godo, Senior Administrative Manager, Semy joined the C.S. Lewis Institute in September 2016 and serves as the Senior Administrative Manager. Her professional experience in budget, project management, event coordinator,…
Team Members
Semy Godo
Senior Administrative Manager, CSLISemy Godo, Senior Administrative Manager, Semy joined the C.S. Lewis Institute in September 2016 and serves as the Senior Administrative Manager. Her professional experience in budget, project management, event coordinator, operations management, and quality analysis over the years ranges in various sectors including higher education, small business and non-profit. Semy received her MBA from Florida Tech (Melbourne, FL) and a BS in Business Information Technology from Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA.) Semy’s passion is to empower and help the amazing team of staff and volunteers at CSLI, that they may daily strive for excellence while serving others to fulfill the mission of the Institute – discipleship of heart and mind!
Dave Chaves
Technology and Product Development Manager, CSLIDave Chaves, Technology and Product Development Manager, has worked in nonprofit, Christian communications for over 10 years, including most recently with Five Talents USA. He holds a…
Team Members
Dave Chaves
Technology and Product Development Manager, CSLI
Dave Chaves, Technology and Product Development Manager, has worked in nonprofit, Christian communications for over 10 years, including most recently with Five Talents USA. He holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University and an MDiv from Africa International University. He’s been involved in cross-cultural missions in East Africa for over 10 years and is an Associate Missionary with the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders. Dave met his lovely wife Lucy in Kenya and they have four children. He is excited to be part of the CSLI team and to support communications and technology to further the ministry of discipleship.
Barry Bradshaw
Bookkeeper, CSLIBarry Bradshaw, Bookkeeper, Barry was born and raised in Japan. He received his college education in Kentucky and then spent seven years in the U.S. Army before settling down…
Team Members
Barry Bradshaw
Bookkeeper, CSLIBarry Bradshaw, Bookkeeper, Barry was born and raised in Japan. He received his college education in Kentucky and then spent seven years in the U.S. Army before settling down in Hawaii to begin his accounting career. Although starting out as an auditor for a CPA Firm, he specialized in nonprofit organization work, ranging from Easter Seal Society and American Diabetes Association to National Right to Work. He also has twelve years of church accounting and administrative experience. Barry brings over 32 years of accounting experience to the table. He is married with two children.
Barbara Ramey
Fellows Program Coordinator, Washington DCBarbara Ramey, Fellows Program , Washington DC. Barbara seeks to live her life devoted to faithfully following Christ as described in God’s word. Her husband Rob’s career…
Team Members
Barbara Ramey
Fellows Program Coordinator, Washington DCBarbara Ramey, Fellows Program , Washington DC. Barbara seeks to live her life devoted to faithfully following Christ as described in God’s word. Her husband Rob’s career in the Air Force allowed Barbara and her three grown daughters to explore three continents for roughly twenty-five years, before she and Rob settled in Western Pennsylvania in 2021. The Lord strengthened Barbara’s witness thru the C.S. Lewis Institute’s Fellows Program, from which she graduated in 2019. A former librarian and teacher, Barbara has homeschooled and has taught various subjects from kindergarten through 12th grade at classical Christian schools in Alexandria, and Herndon, VA. Following a year volunteering at the C.S. Lewis Institute in Northern Virginia, Barbara now enjoys supporting the team by working with the administration staff as well as the website team.
Cameron McAllister
Director of Content and Teaching FellowCameron McAllister is a content director for Reflections Ministries. He is also the Director of Content and a Teaching Fellow for the C.S. Lewis Institute. He cofounded Thinking Out…
Team Members
Cameron McAllister
Director of Content and Teaching FellowCameron McAllister is a content director for Reflections Ministries. He is also the Director of Content and a Teaching Fellow for the C.S. Lewis Institute. He cofounded Thinking Out Loud, where he’s a speaker, writer and one half of the Thinking Out Loud podcast, a weekly podcast about current events and Christian hope. He is also the co-author (with his father, Stuart) of Faith That Lasts: A Father and Son on Cultivating Lifelong Belief. A staff writer with Christ & Pop Culture, Cameron’s writing has appeared in Christianity Today, Relevant Magazine, Think Christian, and Fathom Magazine. He holds a master’s degree in apologetics from Houston Baptist University.
Volunteers
Randy Bridges, Ph.D. – Randy serves as a Chaplain and Coach for CSLI City Directors. Randy was the founding City Director for CSLI Seattle. He received his Ph.D. in Christian Education from Biola University. He has over 35 years of ministry experience including Hope Now Ministries, Vision House, and Good Soil. He is a national speaker in the areas of leadership, teen sexuality and ministry partnership.
Michael Cauldwell – Mike serves as the Fellows Alumni Network Coordinator for the C.S. Lewis Institute.
Ed Glancy, J.D. – Ed was a member of the C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Class of 2002-2003 and completed the Year Two program the following year. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1977 and received a J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 1980. He served as an attorney with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 32 years, most of that time as Senior Attorney. He currently serves the C.S. Lewis Institute part-time as a volunteer.
Mary Pope – Mary entered the world of voiceover with a desire to use her voice for Kingdom Work. She feels blessed to be doing just that for the C.S. Lewis Institute. Her husband of almost 40 years feels blessed she has found an outlet for all those words (smile!). Mary and Ken are empty-nesters living in Arlington, VA.
Aimee Riegert – Aimee earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and foreign language studies from Southern Methodist University. In addition to supporting various national security efforts in Northern Virginia, she has worked as an itinerant high school math teacher and drama coach, and has served in women’s ministries, praise teams, on the adult support team for Young Life and as a “mentor mom” for MOPS International ministries, as well as English instructor in several ESL programs in Japan. She is a graduate of the C.S. Lewis Institute Year One Fellows Program.
Michael Unger – An avid student of C.S. Lewis, Mike has completed both year one and two of CSLI’s Fellows program, as well as the Life, Faith, and Writings of C.S. Lewis program. He also mentors year one and year two fellows in the Fellows program. Mike is a member of National Presbyterian Church. He received his BS degree from The Ohio State University, MA from Washington University, and PhD degree from Penn State University. Upon retirement from the government he became a professor of international business and globalization at Loyola University Maryland. Unger is an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategy and International Studies (CSIS) as well as Senior Institute Associate at Harvard Business School’s Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness.
The programs and ministry of the C.S. Lewis Institute are indebted to the numerous volunteers who graciously offer their time and talents throughout the year. Their generosity enables the Institute to maintain lower overhead expenses and to provide higher quality conferences, publications, and Fellows programs than would be possible through the staff alone.