About Our Executive Director, Michael G. Pappas, M.Div.
Michael G. Pappas was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He graduated from Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) in 1983, after which he successively worked as a lobbyist, regional field director for a presidential campaign, and investment banker for the oldest municipal bond firm in New Jersey. In 1987, he left the world of politics & finance and enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, MA), attaining an M.Div., with honors, in the class of 1992. During his 16-year ministry as an ordained priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, Michael served parishes in Palos Hills, IL, Stockton, CA, and San Francisco, CA., and devoted energy to work with the homeless and further ecumenical and interfaith relationships. After transitioning from parish ministry in 2007, he was selected by the San Francisco Interfaith Council for the newly created administrative post of Executive Director. In his tenure as Executive Director, Michael has helped to substantially increase the Council’s budget and programs; strengthened existing and cultivated new relationships with civic leaders, NGOs, judicatories and congregations; and significantly projected the SFIC through expanded use of technology.
Sharon Demko, Program/Administrative Associate
Sharon Demko grew up in South Florida. She received a B.S. in Business Communication and a minor in Creative Writing from Florida State University. Her career began in marketing communication for emerging technology companies, which led her to move to San Francisco in 1998. In 2002, she was able to merge her passions for wellness and startup companies by helping to build The Bar Method Franchise. Working closely with the founder for over 14 years, Sharon made strategic recommendations and designed solutions for The Bar Method to scale and build a profitable luxury boutique fitness franchise with over 100 locations while maintaining brand excellence. During the pandemic in 2020, Sharon created her wellness brand, Her Mission Community, which supports women’s long-term well-being by delivering longevity-based fitness classes in a studio in San Francisco, on-demand, and through a certification course for personal trainers. Sharon has been a long-time volunteer with various service organizations in the Bay Area. She has also served on the board of an international NGO with the One Health mission to fund research and education to prevent zoonotic disease transmission, such as COVID-19. She is excited to combine her varied skills and experience to support SFIC in its work to bring diverse groups together and promote the well-being of the most underserved populations in San Francisco.
Current Board Members
Fr. Mesrop Ash, Chair (St. John Armenian Apostolic Church)
Rev. Dr. Jonathan Butler, Vice Chair (SF African American Faith-Based Coalition, San Francisco Branch NAACP, UCSF and Jerusalem Baptist Church)
Rev. Fred Harrell, Treasurer (City Church San Francisco)
Rev. Staci Current, Secretary (Temple United Methodist Church)
- Kashif Abdullah (San Francisco Islamic School)
- Rev. Dr. Leroy Adams, Jr. (Providence Baptist Church)
- Derick Brown (YMCA of Greater San Francisco)
- Tessa Rouverol Callejo (Nonprofit Consultant, St. Agnes Catholic Church - Parishioner)
- Winnie Chu
- Rev. Beate Chun (St. Matthews Lutheran Church)
- Col. Deborah Dacumos (St. Dominic's Catholic Church and SF Veterans Affairs Commission)
- Andrew Galvan (Old Mission Dolores and Ohlone Nation)
- Rev. Marci Auld Glass (Calvary Presbyterian Church)
- The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene (Grace Cathedral)
- Father Kevin Kennedy (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption)
- Rev. Junchol Lee (Swedenborgian Church)
- Sister Kyoko Kimura (Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center)
- Patrice Mano (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Rabbi Amanda Russell (Congregation Beth Sholom)
- Rabbi Rena Singer (Congregation Emanu-El)
- Rev. Trent Thornley (San Francisco Night Ministry)
- Rev. Marvin K. White (Glide Memorial Church)
Rita R. Semel, Board Member Emeritus (Congregation Emanu-El)
