Celebrating New Board Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Westerville, OH - At its March and April meetings, respectively, the LOVEboldly Board of Directors voted to appoint two new board members: Mr. Eli Shiltz and the Rev. Br. Ian Boden, OLF.

Eli Shiltz (he/him)

Passionate about helping others and with a faith that has always been central to his life, Eli is an epidemiologist with the Ohio Department of Health. He moved to Ohio in 2018 and began his gender transition in 2020. In his spare time, Eli volunteers with Meals on Wheels and fosters animals. He is an active member of Blue Ocean Faith Columbus.

The Rev. Br. Ian Boden, OLF (he/him)

Born in London, Ontario, and raised in St. Clair, MI, Ian moved to Ohio to attend Capital University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 2019. He then earned a Master of Divinity at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (part of Capital University) in 2025. Ian is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and currently serves as the Associate Pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Marion, OH, where he lives with his cat, Saint Julien of Norwich.

Ian is also a life professed sibling in the Order of Lutheran Franciscans (OLF) where he has the privilege of serving as the Sacristan, on the formation team, and as an ecumenical representative. His overarching philosophy on ministry is that all people deserve to be seen, heard, known and loved.

The LOVEboldly Staff and Board Team

(First row) Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp, Executive Director; Siobhan Boyd-Nelson, Esq., Board Chair; Rev. Brian Steele, Board Secretary; (Second row) Cass Helm, Interim Board Treasurer; NV Gay; Rev. Iva Joyce-Miesse; (Third row) Eli Shiltz; Rev. Br. Ian Boden, OLF

LOVEboldly is an Ohio, faith-based nonprofit working to create spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can flourish in Christianity.

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