Dn. Marek Simon, Executive Director
Education:
Master of Divinity, St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Butler University
OCF Background:
Dn. Marek previously served at Antiochian Village Camp from 2002-2019, where he oversaw the development and advancement efforts of the camp, supervised summer camp staff, developed programming, and managed its team-building ropes course program. He was formally connected with OCF as well, serving as advisor to the Student Leadership Board from 2005-2009. He is passionate about working with the students and staff of OCF, seeking to strengthen OCF’s mission, programs, and impact in the lives of college students.
Christina Andresen, Director of Ministries
Education:
Master of Divinity, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Bachelor of Arts in English & Philosophy, Minor in Dance, Texas A&M University
OCF Background:
While at Texas A&M, Christina served as president of her OCF chapter all four years and as a Regional Student Leader for two years. She attended three college conferences, serving once on the CC West planning committee. She participated in Real Break twice as a student, to Guatemala and to Constantinople—and in Guatemala she met her husband, Daniel, whom she married September 2010. She also co-hosted the OCF Podcast for two years. She has been a part of the OCF staff since August 2011, and working to strengthen OCF chapters and student leaders is something about which Christina is passionate. Christina attends Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas, Texas.
Donna Levas, Advancement Manager
Education:
Master of Professional Studies in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Manhattanville College
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Hellenic College
OCF Background:
Donna began working for OCF in November 2011. Serving as the Operations Manager until February 2013, Donna learned the ins and outs of OCF. In the spring of 2013, Donna was charged with taking on the National Program efforts for Orthodox Christian Fellowship – facilitating the Real Break and College Conference programs. In late 2019, Donna’s focus was shifted to Advancement, where she now works to share the exciting ways OCF offers opportunities for college students to encounter Jesus Christ.
Peter Mansour, Ministry Coordinator
Education:
Master of Arts, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Arts in History, Minor in Religious Studies, University of Maryland
OCF Background:
Peter joined the OCF team in July 2021 and is passionate about making Orthodoxy accessible to young people. As a college student, he was an active member of his OCF chapter at the University of Maryland. He previously served as the Director for Youth & Young Adults at the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England as well as the Director of Student & Young Adult Ministries at Sts. Barnabas & Susanna Coptic Orthodox Church in Baltimore, MD. He is the co-founder of SupportMyService, a nonprofit that seeks to fund various ministry projects in the Church. Currently, he resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Sandra, where he volunteers as a Resident Minister at Georgetown University and attends St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Fairfax, Virginia.
Joseph Bray, Communications Manager
Education:
Associate of Science, Pellissippi State
OCF Background:
Joseph joined the OCF team in June 2021. He previously worked at the University of Tennessee since 2014 in marketing, where he significantly grew social media reach and engagement, designed and built a successful e-commerce platform, and developed partnerships with professional athletes, singers, and actors for strategic brand placement. While at the university, Joseph and his wife, Ashlind, helped lead the local OCF chapter on Rocky Top. He is active in parish life at St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Ivy Gabriella Tesfay, Ministry Intern
Education:
Bachelors in Psychology & Certificate of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Hellenic College
OCF Background:
Gabriella was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has a deep love for the Orthodox community that raised her there. She graduated from Hellenic College in 2022 with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Certificate of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. She is currently in her first year at Holy Cross studying a Masters of Theological Studies. OCF holds a dear place in her heart and she is excited to serve authentically and joyfully!
Education:
Master of Divinity, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (May, 2023)
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Politics, St. Anselm College
OCF Background:
Alexandros is completing his final year in the Master of Divinity program at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. As a child, he grew up at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Clifton, New Jersey where his family and community introduced him to the life of the Orthodox Church. Since then, he has served in a variety of Orthodox ministries around the country including CrossRoad, the Neighborhood Resilience Project, and the Y2AM YouTube series Be the Bee.
While attending St. Anselm College, Alexandros was an active participant and leader in OCF, including at College Conference, where he met his wife Rachel in 2019. Together, they recently welcomed their first child and look forward to joining the community at Texas A&M this fall and beginning their ministry in College Station next year.
Lydia Kellas, Communications Intern
Education:
Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications, West Virginia University (May, 2024)
Bachelor of Science in Advertising & Public Relations, West Virginia University
OCF Background:
Lydia was raised in Wheeling, West Virginia in Saint John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church. She is truly passionate about sharing the Orthodox faith with others, and she desires to use her education in advertising and marketing for this purpose.
Lydia is completing her final year in the Integrated Marketing Communications online program at West Virginia University. During her undergraduate coursework, Lydia was an active member and leader in her OCF chapter. She believes that OCF was the highlight of her undergraduate time at WVU. She is extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as a communications intern for OCF this year!