MyHCHC
Lead institutional transformation
Lead strategic planning, organizational strengthening, enrollment growth, operational modernization, and long-term sustainability initiatives.
A transformational leadership opportunity
Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology invites nominations and applications for the position of President.
This is one of the most significant leadership opportunities in Orthodox Christianity today.
For more than eighty years, HCHC has served as the intellectual, spiritual, and formational center for Orthodox Christian leadership in America, preparing clergy, lay leaders, theologians, educators, and faithful servants of the Church to advance the life and mission of Orthodoxy in the Church and society.
Today, HCHC stands at a pivotal moment in its history, one that calls for visionary leadership, organizational strength, broader engagement, and deep commitment to Orthodox Christian formation, theological education, and the long-term vitality of the institution.
Stakeholder engagement conducted throughout 2026 revealed strong alignment regarding both the opportunities and challenges facing the institution’s next chapter. Across stakeholder groups, there was clear recognition of HCHC’s sacred mission, significant untapped potential, and the importance of strong leadership capable of guiding institutional growth, long-term sustainability, and renewed impact.
The next President will have the opportunity to strengthen one of Orthodoxy’s most important institutions while helping shape the future of Orthodox Christian leadership formation in America.
Leadership priorities
Serve as chief ambassador and fundraiser
Cultivate major philanthropic support, strengthen donor confidence, expand institutional visibility, and articulate a compelling vision for HCHC’s future.
Strengthen trust and institutional credibility
Foster transparency, accountability, collaboration, and excellence while strengthening confidence in the institution and deepening trust across stakeholders.
Advance Orthodox Christian formation
Strengthen theological education, clergy formation, academic quality, student experience, and campus community life while preserving Orthodox identity and mission.
Build and lead a high-performing organization
Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing faculty, staff, and administrative leaders while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, talent development, and institutional excellence.
Profile of the next President
The successful candidate will be a practicing Orthodox Christian in good standing who combines deep commitment to Orthodox Christian formation with exceptional leadership capability. The ideal candidate will be both strategically capable and relationally grounded, with the ability to lead institutional change while fostering trust, alignment, and healthy community culture.
The Search Committee welcomes candidates from higher education, Church leadership, nonprofit leadership, business, public service, and other complex mission-driven organizations.
Desired qualifications and experience
- Proven executive leadership experience within complex organizations
- Demonstrated success leading transformational change
- Strong fundraising and donor engagement capability
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
- Strategic and operational leadership strength
- Experience building high-performing teams
- Understanding of higher education, nonprofit leadership, business, or similarly complex mission-driven institutions
- Candidates with significant experience leading ecclesiastical, educational, nonprofit, or mission-driven institutions are encouraged to apply
- Commitment to Orthodox Christian mission and formation
- Terminal degree preferred but not required for exceptional candidates with substantial executive leadership experience
Search process
The Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology Board of Trustees, under the Chairmanship and spiritual guidance of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, has formed a seven-person search committee to lead a well-structured process to find the next President of the school as it approaches 90 years of educating and spiritually forming Church leaders in the United States.
The search process is expected to take 9 to 12 months, reflecting the commitment to a professional, comprehensive, and exhaustive search process that ensures transparency and meaningful input from stakeholders at every level.
This process will include structured listening sessions and surveys engaging hierarchs, clergy, faculty, staff, students, as well as alumni, metropolis councils, parish leaders, laity, and key partner organizations. The comprehensive engagement will help clarify institutional priorities and inform the recruitment of candidates for the presidency.
Members of the search committee include:
- George C. Demos, Esq. Co-Chair, Trustee
- Dr. Pano Kanelos Trustee
- Mark Moraitakis Trustee
- Fr. Peter Orfanakos President, Associated Presbyters & Clergy
- Fr. Eugen Pentiuc Holy Cross Representative
- Dr. Kathleen Ryan Hellenic College Representative
- Dr. Christine Geranios Zeppos Co-Chair, Trustee
The school is currently being led by Interim President Rev. Fr. Michael Lambakis, a 2003 graduate from Hellenic College and a 2006 Holy Cross graduate. He returned to HCHC in August 2025 as Dean of Students after shepherding Annunciation Cathedral in Houston, TX for nearly 20 years as its Dean and as an assistant priest. Fr. Michael is married to Presbytera Renee Constantinou. They have two adult children studying at the school; Andrew at Holy Cross and Nicholas at Hellenic College.
A historic opportunity
This is more than a traditional presidency.
It is an opportunity to shape the future of Orthodox Christian leadership formation, strengthen one of Orthodoxy’s most important institutions, and leave a lasting impact on future generations of clergy, scholars, and faithful leaders.
The Search Committee seeks candidates energized by mission, institution-building, transformational leadership, and the opportunity to lead one of the most meaningful faith-based leadership institutions in America.
Applications, nominations and inquiries
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile and list five professional references.
For best consideration
Please send nominations, inquiries, and expressions of interest in confidence to:
George C. Demos, Esq and Dr. Christine Geranios Zeppos, Presidential Search Committee Co-Chairs
presidentialsearch@hchc.edu
The search process will remain confidential up until candidates are brought to campus for public interviews. The HCHC search team will inform candidates of this information at the appropriate time.
For more information, please visit HCHC’s home page at www.hchc.edu/presidentialsearch.
HCHC values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, or any other status protected by law.
For more information on Hellenic College Holy Cross, please visit www.hchc.edu.
The above statements are intended to indicate the general nature and level of work to be performed by the position described within this job profile. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required by the position covered in this job profile.