Douglas Zelinski worked with congregations for nine years as the Director of Leadership Development, first in the Metro New York District and then in the New England Region of the UUA, until November 2016. During that time he has worked with over 90 congregations spread across 6 eastern states, with sizes ranging from 7 to 700 members, and with issues ranging from ministerial transitions and startups to mission development and conflict resolution.

Every person who has been touched by Doug’s coaching and consultation with congregational leaders knows that he is wise, thoughtful, and amazingly insightful. He has offered our people a remarkable combination of faithful aspiration, organizational insight, and an uncanny ability to call people to compelling, deep work, often at the most difficult and trying moments. He has been a relentless ponderer and communicator about Unitarian Universalist theology and ethics, and has done groundbreaking work articulating the core of our faith. His staff team colleagues love him for his joyful companionship and profound spiritual leadership.

Prior to his work with the UUA, Doug honed his skills through 20 years of organizational development work with human service nonprofit agencies and city and county government in Columbus, Ohio. These skills were augmented with training from Gil Rendle, Peter Steinke, Loren Mead, Alice Mann, and Alexander Grashow. He is versed in Family Systems Theory, Appreciative Inquiry, Change Theory, Congregational Size Transitions, Adaptive Leadership, UU Identity Formation and Covenant Formation.

For three years he led the group that determines the workshops for General Assembly. He also led the New England Regional Leap of Faith Initiative and has served on the Skinner House Editorial Board.