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Governance Structure

The People Who Govern L’Arche USA

The Members of Our Board

L’Arche USA is grateful to have passionate board members who donate their unique skills and expertise to help further our mission. The board of L’Arche USA provides leadership in areas of policy formulation, fundraising, communications and development, government relations, oversight, and other support of regions and communities of L’Arche USA. Because of their dedication, L’Arche communities around the United States are thriving. We invite you to get to know them.

Matthew Rhodes

Board President
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Member of: Executive Committee

Growing up in Little Rock, AR, I was an assistant in the GWDC community and a community leader for a L’Arche project in NJ. Currently, I work in healthcare—educating and supervising chaplains, supporting pandemic-weary staff, and serving as a biomedical ethics consultant. My wife, Rachel, is also a Presbyterian minister, and we live in a farmhouse on the edge of Princeton with our two sweet kiddos and our pup.

Brian Berg

Board Vice-President
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Member of: Executive Committee

I was born and raised in an agricultural area north of Sacramento, California, where I now share life with my wife, Danka and our 3 children. We own and operate a wholesale fruit and nut tree nursery, supplying trees to orchardists throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been involved with L’Arche since 1985 when as a young college student, I went to live in community in Compiegne, France. Danka and I met there and L’Arche remains an essential part of our life and family. We enjoy traveling as a family and being involved in any activity in which our children show interest.

Lisa Schiltz

Board Secretary
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Member of: Communications Committee, Public Policy Committee

I was born in Germany, but have been living in the United States since I went to college. I’ve lived in Connecticut, New York City, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and California, but I now consider myself a Minnesotan, having lived in Minneapolis for over 25 years. I am married and have four children. Because I work full time as a law professor at the University of St. Thomas, I don’t have much time for hobbies, but I love reading and going to movies and plays.

Rebecca Cates

Board Treasurer
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Member of: Chair of Finance Committee

I grew up in Alaska and now reside in Central Washington State. I volunteer with several non-profits, primarily in financial and accounting advisory roles. I enjoy good wine and preparing meals with family and friends.

Georgette “Jojo” Ledgister

Board Member
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Jojo is the Executive Director and Lead Animator of Fearless Dialogues, an Atlanta-based grassroots organization committed to creating unique spaces for unlikely partners to engage in hard and heartfelt conversations. Fearless Dialogues has worked with over 20,000 leaders in the United States, the Bahamas, Brazil and England since 2013. Public advocacy is a key focus of Fearless Dialogues. In addition to leading the organization, Jojo is an active Animator who leads workshops throughout the country and is a Visiting Instructor at Agnes Scott College.

Stephen Rothrock

Board Member
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Originally from Spokane, WA, I now live in Seattle with my wife Tessa. We are currently empty-nester’s as all 5 of my kids no longer live at home: 2 are married, 1 is engaged, and 2 are at university! When I’m not visiting my kids, who are scattered out around the country, you can find me boating in Lake Union or cheering loudly at a Seattle Sounders soccer game!

Steve Lawrence

Board Member
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Member of: Communications Committee

I grew up in Texas, but have lived in the New York City area since college. I’m lucky to be married to a highly talented woman and have three outstanding sons. I love to hike and fish, go to the opera, especially Wagner, do projects around the house, read the great books and do crossword puzzles.

Maureen Costello-Shea

Board Member
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Member of: Membership Committee

I have experience working both privately and publicly in disability services and operational consulting and management, including developing and managing programs, budgets and finances. My commitment to L’Arche and individuals with intellectual disabilities is real and lasting, and I am invested in diversity and inclusion and believe they are critical themes for our board.

James Hoey

Board Member
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Member of: Finance Committee

I currently work as a consultant with the global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, helping organizations across the private, public, and social sectors create “Change that Matters.” I have been a friend of supporter of L’Arche since 2013, and am passionate about building sustainable development efforts for this organization.

Beth Barsotti

Board Member
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Member of: Member Development Committee

Welcome, Beth! Short bio coming soon.