About Us
We Strive to Serve Boldly, Live Faithfully, and Love Relentlessly.
Our Story
Welcome to CrossRoad Institute! What began in 2004 as a transformative summer program for high school juniors and seniors has now grown into a whole ecosystem of educational offerings. Our programs are rooted in the rich theological and spiritual tradition of Orthodox Christianity, and we are dedicated to helping young people deepen their understanding of their Orthodox Christian identity.
At CrossRoad, we believe that by engaging in rigorous academic learning, authentic community, traditional spiritual practices, and vocational exploration, young people can develop the tools they need to make meaningful life decisions and serve as responsible and engaged members of their communities. Our faculty and staff are deeply committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment that encourages participants to ask challenging questions and explore their faith amidst an energized cohort of peer learners. We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and growth, as we work together to become more faithful and compassionate servant leaders for both our Orthodox Christian parishes and the world.
Our Team
The people who serve through CrossRoad are a diverse and dedicated group who love creating spaces for youth and young adults to have an increasing sense of life clarity, calling to deeper purpose, and (re)awakening to the steady joy of a life lived for God and neighbor.
Leadership
Ann Mitsakos Bezzerides, MDiv, PhD
Executive Director
A native of the Boston Metropolis, Ann’s studies at Middlebury College (BA), St Vladimir’s Seminary (MDiv), and Boston College (PhD) informs the design of the CrossRoad Institute. She also serves as the Director of the Office of Vocation & Ministry at Hellenic College Holy Cross, where she teaches Youth Ministry. It is Ann’s joy to follow the paths of CrossRoad alums & Telos young adults on their life journeys in all the diverse ways they work, serve, lead, and learn. The future is bright!
Jenny Haddad Mosher, MTh, PhD
Research & Educational Design Director
Jenny brings rooted focus in religious education curriculum design and production to the CRI mission, with degrees from Yale (BA, MAR), St Vladimir’s Seminary (MTh), and Union Theological Seminary (PhD), as well as experience working as a teacher, editor, author, and grant writer. She sees CRI programming as a gift—a chance to reflect honestly, act productively, and cultivate mutual love across generations in the Church.
CrossRoad Summer Program & Alumni Initiatives
Jason Oneida, MTS
Youth and Young Adult Ministry Initiatives Director & CrossRoad Summer Program Director
Jason participated in CrossRoad Summer institute in 2006. He loved it so much that he decided to study ministry at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, earning an MTS degree, and jumped at the chance to be a CrossRoad staff member in 2015. He also served as a member of CrossRoad’s Alumni Advisory Board (2018–2019), chairing from 2019–2021. He deeply loves the CrossRoad Alumni community and is thrilled to continue the legacy of positive, transformational impact CrossRoad has on the lives of Orthodox youth and young adults!
Jack Bushell, MDiv
CrossRoad Summer Program Director
Jack is a CrossRoad Alumni, as he participated in the CrossRoad Summer Institute program in 2014. The program inspired him to study theology and enter a life of ministry. After attaining both a Bachelors in Religious Studies from Hellenic College, and a Master’s of Divinity from Holy Cross, Jack served as Pastoral Assistant and Youth Director of the Annunciation Cathedral in Boston. He is excited to serve a program that has served him so profoundly in his vocational journey and is ecstatic to walk with today’s youth on their vocational journey through Christ and His Church!
Telos Project & Center
Anna Kallis, MDiv
Telos Project Director
Anna began her journey with CrossRoad as a participant in 2005, and through CR alumni initiatives, was drawn to pursue ministry professionally. She earned her MDiv from Holy Cross in 2013 and has worked for CrossRoad Institute in leadership roles since 2011, constantly inspired by how investment with youth and young adults changes lives! She and her husband Fr. Kosmas live in the suburbs of Chicago with their two children.
Sarah Lumbard, MA EDHD
Telos Project Administrator
Sarah had worked in education for 9 years serving as both teacher and administrator when she learned about CrossRoad when her nephew attended the inaugural session of CrossRoad San Francisco. She is passionately committed to building ministries that support youth and young adults in their growth in the Faith. Sarah currently lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and two teenage daughters.
Dimitrios Rentel
Telos Center Manager
An alum of the CrossRoad Summer Institute (June 2017), Dima worked as the OCA’s Youth Project Coordinator in 2019 before graduating from Carleton College in 2022. He believes there is no greater good than when two or three gather in His name, growing in faith, hope, and love, and wants to build a space where young adults can do just that!
Parish Youth Ministry & Parenting Networks
Pres Maria Drossos
Parish Youth Ministry Network Director
Earning her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Loyola University of Chicago and her Master of Divinity Degree at the Sheptytsky Institute, University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, Maria has over 30 years combined experience in business and non-profit development in the US and Canada. With life-long involvement in youth, young adult, and outreach ministries, she has a love of building and nurturing relationships together for the service of God and His church.
She and her husband Fr. Odisseys live in the Boston area with their son.
Jenny Haddad Mosher, MTh, PhD
Parenting Network
Jenny brings rooted focus in religious education curriculum design and production to the CRI mission, with degrees from Yale (BA, MAR), St Vladimir’s Seminary (MTh), and Union Theological Seminary (PhD), as well as experience working as a teacher, editor, author, and grant writer. She sees CRI programming as a gift—a chance to reflect honestly, act productively, and cultivate mutual love across generations in the Church.
Sophia Petrou, MDiv
Outreach Coordinator
A Rhode Island native of the Boston Metropolis, Sophia participated in CrossRoad in 2015. She has served as staff at three Orthodox summer camps, as an HCHC ambassador running youth retreats, and for three years as CrossRoad Summer Program Staff. She is excited to be part of CRI and make possible new opportunities in the world of youth and young adult ministry!
Operations & Communications
Kristi Athas, MSW
Operations Director
Kristi came to the CRI team with degrees in Political Science (BA) and Social Work (BS and MSW) and more than 25 years of nonprofit work. Kristi joined the CRI team after seeing its work in Chicago, realizing the critical nature of keeping children engaged in the faith. Kristi lives in the chicagoland area with her family.
Deb Colitas, MS Education
Communications Director
Deb has over 20 years of experience within business and non-profit communications. She is a mother of a CrossRoad alum, as well as an active member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Bethlehem, PA. Deb’s passion is empowering and teaching others to build authentic outreach.
Anna Kneupper
Database Manager
Anna worked in higher education in various contexts before joining the CrossRoad team, a discovery thanks to her brother-in-law, a former CrossRoad Director. Having been Boston-based for 6 years, Anna now joyfully supports all aspects of tracking our alumni, families, and parishes from Greenville, SC where she attends St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church.
501(c)(3)-Compliant
As a nonprofit school, CrossRoad Institute is dedicated to providing high-quality Orthodox Christian education to students from all walks of life, regardless of their financial situation. Our goal is to make this education accessible to more people, and we work tirelessly to ensure that this is possible.
