Meet Our Speakers

John Temple serves as the President and CEO of Guideposts, a trusted media nonprofit renowned for inspiring millions through messages of hope, faith, and prayer. Under his leadership, Guideposts has successfully transitioned into the digital era and expanded its family of brands to reach a more diverse, multigenerational community. This expansion includes innovative platforms focused on meditation and sleep, personal growth, and daily inspiration across brands such as Abide, Mornings with Jesus, Walking in Grace, and Pray a Word. John and his dedicated colleagues continue to revitalize Guideposts’ nearly 80-year-old brand, ensuring its relevance in today’s digital landscape and furthering its mission to create a more hopeful world through fostering positive and joyful personal relationships with God.

Previously, John established and led the Human Trafficking Response Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office where he developed innovative strategies to address trafficking on both domestic and international levels. His contributions to the field have earned him the Thomas E. Dewey Medal, as well as recognition as one of New York’s “New Abolitionists” and a sought-after lecturer and trainer on human trafficking.

John has also taught courses on human trafficking and constitutional law at Fordham University. He holds degrees from the University of Rochester and Brooklyn Law School.

Fun facts: John recently served as the sole chaperone for five teenage girls at a Taylor Swift concert (though he isn’t a big fan of her latest album). He has driven everything from a Honda Magna 750 to a 30-foot RV. He lives in a multigenerational home with his wife, three daughters, father-in-law, and three dogs.

Ty’Ann Williams, Guideposts’ Vice President of Ministries, focuses on strengthening the faith community to reach their greatest spiritual and personal potential. With aims to keep the “why” in Guideposts’ initiatives, Ty’Ann fosters spiritual wellness through faith, hope, and prayer with a development strategy of relationship building, partnerships and on-theground ministry, while leveraging multimedia efforts.

In her previous role as director of video content development at Guideposts, Ty’Ann assessed video operations, implemented strategies to boost efficiency and creativity, and increased the video presence on Guideposts’ website and social media platforms. Prior to joining Guideposts, she worked in the toy industry as a content producer for Mattel Fisher-Price, and at Sony Music as a producer of broadcast TV and radio promotional spots.

An ordained pastor, Ty’Ann evangelizes the gospel of Jesus Christ at church congregations across the nation and world. She has ministered at historic New York churches, such as Marble Collegiate Church, Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, and The Riverside Church. She has contributed to academic conferences in Nigeria, leadership gatherings in United Arab Emirates, and revivals in India. She has also served in missions in the Dominican Republic and in Turkey assisting refugees from Syria and Africa.

Ty’Ann holds a Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary, and an MBA in business management and a BSBA in marketing communications from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Fun facts: Ty’Ann was born and raised in Spanish Harlem/El Barrio, New York. She is known as The Sneaker Preacher for her cool kicks. She has sung with Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Michael Bublé, Patti LaBelle, and other artists.

Juliana Lesher is a Military/Veteran Liaison for Guideposts. She currently serves as a full-time pastor in Southern California. Previously she ministered for 26 years in prisons and healthcare settings, including serving as the National Director of Chaplain Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs from 2019 to 2022 and Chief of Chaplain Service at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System from 2011 to 2018. She pioneered the VA’s telechaplaincy program, through which veterans and their families can receive spiritual care via video consultations, and was an author for the God Understands series for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Juliana is a Bible-based speaker and the author of the newly published book, A Heart That Sings for Jesus. She has a Ph.D. in ecclesial organizational leadership from Regent University, a Master of Divinity from Evangelical Theological Seminary, a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Messiah College, and is an ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education) certified educator.

Fun facts: Juliana’s first ministry experience was at age nine, when she organized a Bible club for little children in her neighborhood. She enjoys swimming, singing, and playing piano. She has an orange-colored cat named Love.

Chaplain David E. Graetz, a Military/Veteran Liaison for Guideposts, recently retired from his 31-year career as a VA chaplain. His last assignment was serving as Chief of Chaplain Service at the VA Health Care System in Lexington, Kentucky, where he was responsible for the religious and spiritual program for veterans. Ordained as an elder of The Brethren Church of Ashland, Ohio, in 1987, he served as senior pastor of the Highland Brethren Church in Marianna, Pennsylvania, from 1986 to 1990. He is board-certified with the National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains.

He began his military service in the United States Navy, serving on active duty from 1975 to 1979. In 1984, he received a direct commission in the Army Reserves as a chaplain candidate. He transferred to the Army National Guard in 1985. He served in Operation Joint Forge, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Jump Start, and in Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.

David became the Assistant Chief of Chaplains for the Army National Guard on January 17, 2014 and was promoted to Brigadier General on December 11, 2014. He became the Joint Chaplain for the National Guard Bureau in August of 2015. He retired from military service on January 31, 2017.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies from Circleville Bible College in 1983 and his Master of Divinity degree in pastoral psychology and counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1986. In 2008 he earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. He is enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry degree program at Ashland Theological Seminary.

Fun facts: Before enlisting in the Navy, David pumped gas in Columbus, Ohio. He has deployed all over the world, including Sigonella, Sicily; Keflavik, Iceland; and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. He has three daughters, three sons-in-law (one of whom is an Air Guard and a VA chaplain), three grandsons, and four granddaughters.