Diocesan Council

The Diocesan Council is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of the diocesan program and budget.

Between diocesan Conventions, the Council functions much like the “vestry” of the diocese, establishing policies and programs for congregational management in the form of business policies and practices. The Council screens and acts on all requests for capital funding and grants. The Diocesan Council is also responsible for the initiation and development of new work between sessions of the Annual Convention. Council members may be asked to serve on an additional diocesan commission or committee.

In 2025-26, Diocesan Council will meet in person quarterly on Saturdays (10:00-2:00), and via Zoom on the third Thursday of the intervening months, as necessary.

The Diocesan Council completed a Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) in December 2025, involving diocesan governing bodies and senior leadership. While Mutual Ministry Reviews are commonly used in congregations and clergy settings, this marked a new step for diocesan leadership: pausing together to reflect prayerfully on shared ministry, relationships, and priorities for the future. Read the full statement.

Members

Term Expires 210th Convention (2026)

The Rev. Mike Floyd
Ms. Amelinda Norton
Ms. Antoinette Ponzo

Term Expires 211th Convention (2027)

The Rev. Mike Lager
Mr. Aaron Litten (Central East Mission Area Representative)
Mr. Matthew Moser Miller

Term Expires 212th Convention (2028)

The Rev. Stephen Ashby
Mr. Ben Holcomb
Mr. Joseph Thomas
Mr. Lee Kauffman (North Central Mission Area Representative)

Mr. Richard Preston
(West Mission Area Representative)
Term Expires 210th Convention (2026)

Richard Preston serves on Diocesan Council and its Executive Committee, and has previously served on the Standing Committee, including as president during his last term. A member of St. Andrew’s, Toledo, he has served the parish in many roles over the years, including Vestry member, Senior Warden, Treasurer, lay minister, reader, and Eucharistic Minister. A small business owner, he brings practical leadership experience and a commitment to faithful service.

The Rev. Rachel Kessler
(South Central Mission Area Representative)
Term Expires 210th Convention (2026)

The Rev. Rachel Kessler is Rector of Harcourt Parish, Gambier and campus chaplain at Kenyon College. She currently serves as South Central Mission Area representative to Diocesan Council, as well as the regional dean for the Mission Area. She also serves as the clergy representative to the regional disciplinary board.

The Rev. Leah Romanelli DeJesus
Term Expires 210th Convention (2026)

The Rev. Leah Romanelli DeJesus (she/her) serves as the Director-in-Training for the College for Congregational Development in the Diocese of Ohio as well as serving on Diocesan Council. She earned her MDiv from Bexley Seabury Seminary Federation in 2022 and is the priest-in-charge at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Cleveland. Leah is a "cradle Episcopalian" who started her work in the church as a career youth minister before discerning a call to the priesthood. She is passionate about removing boundaries to intergenerational worship and service, fostering diverse communities, and following the whims of the Holy Spirit wherever they may lead.

Ms. Nancy Geiger
Term Expires 211th Convention (2027)

Nancy Geiger is a lifelong member of Church of the Epiphany, Euclid, and is currently serving her second term on Diocesan Council. She also serves on the Finance Committee and recently completed seven years on Vestry, including four as Senior Warden. Over the years, she has served in nearly every parish role. Now retired, she previously worked as a school and academic librarian and taught introduction to research.

The Rev. Megan Allen-Miller
Term Expires 211th Convention (2027)

The Rev. Megan Allen-Miller serves as Priest Associate for Community Outreach and Pastoral Care at Trinity Cathedral, Cleveland. A native of Akron, she previously served as Diocesan Curate at St. Andrew’s and All Saints’, Toledo. Her ministry is grounded in pastoral care, justice, belonging, and helping people deepen their relationships with God, one another, and the world. She is co-founder of Better Together: Faith Communities United for Pride.

The Rev. Chris McCann
(Northeast Mission Area Representative)
Term Expires 211th Convention (2027)

The Rev. Chris McCann serves as Rector of St. Luke’s, Chardon, where he is in his 21st year of ministry in Geauga County. Ordained in the Anglican Church of Canada, he is canonically resident in the Diocese of Ohio. He has served as chair of the Standing Committee and Commission on Ministry and currently serves on Diocesan Council Executive Committee. His ministry interests include Christian formation, discernment, and supporting candidates for ministry.

Mr. Lex Sierra
(Cuyahoga Mission Area Representative)
Term Expires 211th Convention (2027)

Lex Sierra is a member of St. Luke's in Cleveland and a member of Diocesan Council. He worked on the core values subgroup of Diocesan Council in 2025 and served as a General Convention deputy in the early 2000s. Lex is involved with TransEpiscopal, which works toward the full embrace of transgender and nonbinary people in The Episcopal Church, and he is passionate about the radical love of Jesus. He enjoys volunteering at the St. Luke's Mobile Food Pantry, creating connections with his neighbors, and attending as many Cleveland Guardians games as he can.

The Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry
Term Expires 212th Convention (2028)

The Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry serves as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Warren, and as Dean of the Southeast Mission Area. She is an elected member of Diocesan Council and serves as Midwest Regional Director for the Union of Black Episcopalians. With more than 25 years of prior Baptist ministry experience, she brings a rich ecumenical perspective. Her ministry focuses on congregational vitality, racial justice, community partnerships, spiritual formation, and moving churches from maintenance to mission.

Dr. Lance Grahn
(Southeast Mission Area Representative)
Term Expires 212th Convention (2028)

Dr. Lance Grahn serves as Co-Convener of Diocesan Council, Southeast Mission Area Representative, member of the diocesan Finance Committee, and chair of the working group evaluating Mission Area structure. A member of St. John’s, Youngstown, he chairs the Finance Commission, co-chairs the clergy search committee, and sings in the choir. A retired university professor and administrator, he also brings extensive nonprofit board leadership experience in education, humanities, mental health, and community development.

Ms. Karen Knowles
(Summit Mission Area Representative)
Term Expires 212th Convention (2028)

Karen Knowles has been a member of St. Paul’s, Akron, for more than 35 years, serving in a variety of parish ministries, including youth education, missions, the library committee, and altar guild. She is currently serving a second term on Vestry and also serves as a lay Eucharistic minister and Stephen Minister. Through her long-standing parish involvement, she brings a deep commitment to pastoral care, faithful service, and the life of the congregation.

Ex-Officio

The Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly, Bishop of Ohio
Mr. James Freshwater, Special Youth Representative

Staff

The Rev. Canon Jessie Gutgsell Dodson, Canon to the Ordinary

Ms. Susan Quill
Episcopal Church Women President

Susan Quill is a member of St. Paul’s, Cleveland Heights, where she has worshiped since 1992 and currently serves as Senior Warden. She has been active in Christian formation, youth ministry, stewardship, outreach, and congregational leadership. Susan also serves as Province V Representative to the National Episcopal Church Women Board. Professionally, she is Senior IT Operations Manager for American Greetings, bringing extensive experience in operations, governance, strategy, and organizational leadership.

Mr. Michael Bickerton
Treasurer

Michael Bickerton has served as Diocesan Treasurer since 2024. A retired banker, he held executive leadership roles with Key Bank, Lorain National Bank, and Northwest Bank during a 38-year career. His diocesan service includes ten years on the Trustees of the Diocese and ten years on the Finance Committee. A member of St. Peter’s, Lakewood, he has served as Treasurer, Senior Warden, Foundation President, and search committee chair.