Aspire Leadership Team
Learn more about the leaders of Aspire
Meet Our Leadership Team: The Minds Behind Aspire Leadership
Discover the experienced and passionate team dedicated to your leadership journey.
Jeff Banning
Founder
Entrepreneur, Coach, Mentor, Community Leader – Jeff built a Top 20 logistics company recognized as Great Place to Work (Certified ™) and is passionate about sharing his 30 years of experience in leadership development with others who desire to lead and lead well in all areas of life.
Lauren Vanaman
Executive Director
Passionate about People and Leadership, Lauren has 30 years of leadership experience and is certified as a Credentialed Christian Non-Profit Leader through Christian Leadership Alliance.
Alex Senak
Director of Experience
Alex Senak is the Director of Experience at Aspire Leadership. He is passionate about leading people and creating an engaged community. Alex has spent over 9 years in leadership as a pastor and summer camp director. He enjoys spending time with his wife, 3 children, and their dog outdoors and is always looking for new ways to grow.
Drew Christian
Research and Communication Director
Passionate about ministry and the written word, Drew has spent the last 30 years as a Pastor, Professor, and Writer. He received his Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Bethel Seminary in Minnesota, where his dissertation on “Principles behind Effective Collaborative Ministry Between Churches” won the William A. Fretwell Memorial Award/Thesis of Distinction for 2015. Drew recently celebrated 33 years of marriage to his wife, Debbie, and loves spending time together with their amazing children. He has a profound love for Sherlock Holmes, 1940-50 Sci-Fi/Monster Films, and Jesus! His first book, Three Years, will be released at the end of 2023.
Sarah Clendening
Operations Coordinator
Passionate about leadership and communication, Sarah is about connecting with people and navigating them toward their goals using her gifts and talents with technology and organization.
Jonathan Lewis
Director of Development
Jon Lewis is the Director of Development at Aspire Leadership. He prides himself on being a loving husband and father of 2 children. He has received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University and his master’s degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has been in professional leadership for over a decade as a regional youth program director, administrator, pastor, and prison chaplain. Jon is passionate about giving leaders the tools they need to fully develop themselves to match their God-given potential.