Our Board

Mr. Andis Akerfelds – Development & Nominations Chair

Mr. Andis Akerfelds specializes in entrepreneurial pursuits, engineering, construction, and merchandising. He is a member of Village Lutheran Church in Bronxville, New York, where he is a property trustee. Mr. Akerfelds contributed to the development and construction of the addition to the VLC/Chapel School. Furthermore, he is a staple figure in his community. Mr. Akerfelds is a member of the Board of Governors of the Bronxville Field Club, Westchester recording secretary for the County Swim Conference, and a United States-certified national swimming referee. Mr. Akerfelds is also a husband and father to two daughters.

Rev. David Anglada

Rev. Anglada is pastor at the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Hempstead, NY. He is a Spiritual Care Counselor for The Visiting Nurse Services of New York City’s Haven Hospice Specialty Care Unit. Rev. Anglada also serves on the boards of the Latino Pastor’s Action Center and the Angels Unaware organization. He holds Master degrees in Theology, Religion, and Sacred Theology.

Mr. Randell Beck

Randell has been working in real estate for over 20 years, and is currently Associate Real Estate Broker with Daniel Gale/Sotheby’s International Realty. A native of Texas and a former Naval Special Warfare officer, Randell received his MBA from the University of Texas and was a key figure in land investment and development in Austin prior to his current work in investment real estate in the New York area. He is a member of the Life Management Committee at The Life Lutheran Church in Old Westbury, NY, where he lives with his wife in a century-old home he renovated himself.

Dr. Julie Butler, DVM – Secretary

Dr. Julie Butler, DVM, is an entrepreneur and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in her practice at the 145th Street Animal Hospital in Manhattan. In addition, Dr. Butler is a key figure in her community. She is an Executive Board Member and President of the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, and Founder and Vice President of New York SAVE (Save Animals in Veterinary Emergencies). She is a member of Mount Zion Church in New York City. She sings with the South African Harlem Voices Choir.

Dr. LuJuana R. Butts, Ed.D. – Mission Services Committee Chair

Dr. LuJuana Butts is a Commissioned Minister (teacher) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and has been a full-time professor at three LCMS colleges and universities. She currently teaches third and fourth-graders at St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Yonkers, NY. Dr. Butts holds a Doctorate from George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and has an extensive teaching background, together with experience as a Lutheran school principal, a public school assistant principal, and a director of curriculum and instruction in an international school. As a member of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx, Dr. Butts serves as co-director of Homework Help, an after-school tutorial program, and as a Bible study leader for Ladies in Prayer and Service (LIPs).

Mr. Herbert Collado

A native New Yorker, Mr. Herbert Collado is a Research Analyst at the non-profit education and social policy research firm MDRC. MDRC (formerly the Manpower Demonstration and Research Corporation), is best known for mounting large-scale demonstrations and objective evaluations of policies and programs designed to help low-income people. In his 15 years with MDRC, Mr. Collado has led numerous studies and co-authored the resulting published reports, evaluating programs designed to impact social services, housing, job-training, and education, both within New York City and across the country. Before MDRC he worked at other non-profit organizations such as the United Federation of Teachers and Prep for Prep. In addition, Mr.Collado operates an independent business where he markets essential services and life-enhancing health and wellness products to businesses and consumers. Mr. Collado earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Sociology from New York University. He is a member of the Rock Church in Elmhurst, Queens. Mr. Collado is fluent in Spanish and is the father of two children.

Ms. Jacqueline Ebanks

Jacqueline is Executive Director of the Women’s City Club of New York, a century-old civic participation and membership organization that shapes public policy and improves the lives of New Yorkers. She is a former Vice President for Programs at the New York Women’s Foundation. Jacqueline is a member of the NYC Department of Education Citywide Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education, the New York City Council’s Young Women’s Initiative Economic and Workforce Development Working Group, and serves as Board Chair for Cause Effective, an organization that partners with nonprofits to build sustainable communities of supporters. Jacqueline holds a Master of Science in Policy Analysis and Public Management from SUNY Stony Brook. She serves as Congregational President of Our Saviour Lutheran Church and School in the Bronx

Mr. Warren L. Gutheil

Mr. Warren Gutheil is a physicist and the President of TecOptics, Inc. At the churches he has attended, he has held various positions, which ranged from president to substitute sexton. He also coached youth sports teams in his community. Mr. Gutheil states this in regard to his position on the board: “Lutheran Social Services of New York has made huge strides over the past 10+ years. I feel the Board of Directors has been, and will continue to be, an important part of its growth in fulfilling its mission.”

Ms. Zoe E. Jasper, Esq. – Board Chair

Ms. Zoe E. Jasper, Esq., is a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church under the New York Episcopal Diocese. Ms. Jasper is a past member of the Social Justice Commission of The Riverside Church of New York and former staff member of Riverside’s Social Justice Ministries. She was the keynote speaker for the 2011 Thurgood Marshall Law Day at St. Philip’s Church in New York, NY, and is a former board member of the Concord Family Services. Ms. Jasper, is a partner of Jasper & Jasper, PLLC. She is also an outside general counsel and secretary to an NYC not-for-profit corporation that funds after-school activities, and a volunteer instructor for elderly and youth self-defense programs. In addition, Ms. Jasper is a professional adviser for the Brooklyn Law School mock trial program, and past volunteer for the Legal Aid Society. She is also a Micro Enterprise Unit repeat campaign volunteer for local and national politicians. Ms. Jasper is a native New Yorker and parent of two children. She serves as the Lutheran Social Services of New York Board of Directors Vice-Chair.

Ms. Lois C. Jenkins

Ms. Lois Jenkins is a retired workers compensation specialist. She is highly involved in her church community. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Middle Village, NY, she serves as one of the assistant ministers in the church, and is a member of the church choir. Prior to attending Trinity, she was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, NY, where she was president of the church council. In addition, Ms. Jenkins prides herself on the value of family. She spends the majority of her time caring for her aging mother and brother, who is a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis. She also spends quality time with her son and daughter-in-law. Ms. Jenkins earned an Associate’s Degree from the Borough of Manhattan Community College in NY, and later continued her education in the area of insurance at The College of Insurance in NY, and Pace University in NY. She states the following regarding her involvement with the Lutheran Social Services of New York’s Board of Directors: “Lutheran Social Services of New York is a faith-based organization committed to providing service to those who are under-served in the community. I am happy to be a part of such a progressive organization that creates change in the lives of those who have suffered severe obstacles.”

Rev. Marva Jenkins

Rev. Marva Jenkins is a Pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Laurelton, Queens. She is a former faculty member at Queens College, The City University of New York. Rev. Jenkins has been the director of the SEEK Program’s (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) counseling unit for over thirty years. In addition, she has had various roles in her community and extended working field, which includes: The Salvation Army, Director of Programming; Lower Eastside Neighborhoods Association, Staff Member; Riverdale Children’s Association, Staff Consultant; Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education, Board of Directors Member; Multicultural Commission Metro NY Synod, Chair; Church Councils, President; Commission for Evangelical Outreach Metro NY Synod Interrelations Collaborative, Board of Directors Member; Parish Resource Center, Board of Directors Member; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Member; and Addisleigh Park Civic Association, Member.

Mr. Harrison D. Oellrich – Faces of LIFE Campaign Chair

Mr. Harrison Oellrich is the Founder, President and managing principal of Ottauquechee Risk Consultants LLC, created to leverage the insurance and reinsurance communities’ expertise by facilitating its accessibility to both the private and public sectors, and has served as the managing director of Guy Carpenter, LLC, and Marsh, Inc. He was employed by the corporation for 31 years, coordinating and editing the insurance and reinsurance sector’s contribution to the “National Plan for Cyberspace Security,” released by President Bush. In addition, he is currently an ongoing contributor to the “National Plan” process, and consultant to members of the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government.

Mr. Oellrich is also a commissioned and installed deacon of the Atlantic District/LCMS. He chairs the board’s Development & Nominations Committee and “Faces of Life” Capital Campaign. He is a member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Garden City, NY, and The LIFE Lutheran Church in Old Westbury, NY. Mr. Oellrich has served in numerous leadership positions for both religious establishments, including congregation president, chair of call committees, and is the lay delegate to the Atlantic District/LCMS. He led Resurrection’s assimilation of Redeemer in Old Westbury, NY, and the planting of The LIFE Lutheran Church in the same area.

Mr. Oellrich also serves on the Interim Governance Committee at Grace Lutheran Church in Queens Village, NY. He is a board member of the international adoption advocacy movement, “Both Ends Burning,” which created and produced the documentary “STUCK” and drafted legislation (CHIFF) designed to facilitate adoptions into the U.S. He has served on the board of the Eastern Property Owners Association, and coaches youth sports for the GCAA and GC Centennial organizations.

Mr. Oellrich is a graduate of Hofstra University on Long Island, NY, where he earned a BA in political science and an MBA in management and marketing. He and his family reside in Garden City, NY, and Quechee, VT. Of his passion for serving on Lutheran Social Services of New York’s board, Mr. Oellrich states, “Through service to the agency, I can efficiently leverage my time, talents and treasures through one organization that effectively serves those in need throughout every stage of their lives, from the cradle to the grave.”

Mr. Dave Reid

Dave is a Major Account Executive for Konica Minolta Business Solutions with over 25 years of experience in key areas including, Operations, Business Development/Sales, Human Resources, and Information Technology. Dave, a former U.S. Army Captain, served as a Battalion Communications Officer and is a two-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal. He is currently the 2nd Vice Chair on the Executive Board and a member of the Housing and Land Use Committee for Community Board 3 in the Bronx. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in the Bronx.

Rev. Dr. Johnson Rethinasamy

Rev. Dr. Johnson Rethinasamy is the Senior Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitestone, NY, which is a growing, mosaic ministry parish. He is also a Mission Executive and identifies and initiates new church plants and mission endeavors of the Atlantic District-Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), and is an entrepreneur creating small business initiatives. Rev. Dr. Rethinasamy serves Lutheran Social Services of New York on behalf of the Bishop/President of the Atlantic District-LCMS. He states the following regarding his involvement with Lutheran Social Services of New York: “Serving joyfully on the board is a God-given opportunity to engage in a hands-on context of Lutheran understanding of the two kingdom distinctions. Thank God for Lutheran Social Services of New York and for all its services.”

Ms. Robin L. Robin, SPHR – Treasurer

Robin is the Vice President of Human Resources for the New York Hall of Science. She is also the Vice President of the Human Resources Professional Association of Nonprofit Organizations, and a judge for the New York Community Trust and NY Magazine Nonprofit Excellence Awards. Robin sits on the Diversity & Inclusion Council and HR Council for the National Assembly for Human Services and is a member of the Children’s Arts Guild Women’s Group Planning Committee. She is a member and former Council President of Christ Lutheran Church in New Hyde Park, NY, and president of its associated entity, “Little Sprouts Pre-School.”

Dcs. Raquel A. Rojas

Dcs. Rojas is a Deaconess at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx. She is part of the Concordia Deaconess Conference. She serves on the Task Force Five (Youth) at the Atlantic District, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Women Missionary League. Dcs. Rojas received a Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary and received her clinical pastoral education at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx.

Mr. Paul R. Saueracker – Vice Chair

Mr. Paul Saueracker is the former Chairman & CEO of Minerals Technologies Incorporated. Prior to joining MTI, he served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, as a Naval Aviator. Mr. Saueracker is a member of the Advisory Board for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. In addition, he is an active member at Grace Lutheran Church in North Bellmore, NY. Mr. Saueracker has a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Hunter College in Manhattan, a Masters in Geology from the University of Kansas, and a Masters in Business Administration from Hofstra University. He is also the Chair of the Lutheran Social Services of New York Board of Directors. Mr. Saueracker states the following of his experience on the board: “I enjoy working with the other talented board members, as we assist Lutheran Social Services of New York to help individuals and families to improve their lives.”

Mr. Donald Thorsen – Finance Committee Chair

Mr. Donald Thorsen is a retired relationship manager and commercial loan officer of a large money center bank and a regional bank in the New York area. He is a past church council president, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and member of the finance and management committee of a local Lutheran Church. He is a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and the New York Institute of Credit. Mr. Thorsen serves as the treasurer for Lutheran Social Services of New York. He states this of his service with Lutheran Social Services: “The Bible speaks often of the responsibility to address the needs of the poor. I am glad and honored to be able to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Lutheran Social Services of New York, as it serves the poor and needy in the New York area.”