Our Staff

Meet our Staff

Dr. Susan Michael

President, ICEJ USA
Director, ACLI

For more than 35 years, Susan has pioneered the development of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in the United States and around the world. She currently serves as the ministry’s USA Director and is a member of the ICEJ’s international Board of Directors.

Susan’s involvement with the ICEJ began as a graduate student at Jerusalem University College in 1980, the same year that the Christian Embassy was first established. Upon completing her master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies, she returned from Israel with a heart to further the Embassy’s mission among fellow Americans. After a season assisting the ministry’s international leadership to host a series of high-profile pro-Israel conferences across the USA, she was asked to head up the ICEJ’s US Branch.

In addition to a master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies, she holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from Oral Roberts University and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Piedmont International University in 2018. Susan is an author, gifted teacher, and international speaker. She is often called upon to address complex and sensitive issues such as anti-Semitism, Islam, Jewish-Christian relations, and current events in the Middle East to a diverse range of audiences. Her experience working with Arabs, Jews, and Christians from many national and denominational backgrounds has equipped her to handle delicate topics central to an understanding of Israel with extraordinary clarity and grace.

In recent years she has produced several educational tools to enable other Christians to do the same, including the IsraelAnswers.com website, a series of highly accessible educational seminars, online courses at ICEJ U, course curricula for Christian colleges, and Embassy Publishers. Susan has built the US Branch of the ICEJ into a scripturally sound and reputable ministry, evidenced in its leadership of one of the strongest networks of Evangelical leaders in America—the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI).

Susan is the author of Encounter the 3D Bible: How to Read the Bible so It Comes to Life, Antisemitism: What Every Christian Needs to Know and How to Counter It, and Every Generation’s Story: 75 Years of American Christian Engagement with Israel.

Recently honored as a 2023 Christian Woman of Distinction by She Leads America and the U.S. House of Representatives, Susan joins other notable leaders such as Gov. Kristi Noem, Dr. Alveda King, and Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears to have received the distinction. She was also included in the Israel Allies Foundation’s recently released annual listing of Israel’s top 50 Christian Allies from various denominations and church networks around the globe.

Susan and her husband lived and worked for many years in Washington, DC, where she developed a close working relationship with the Israeli Embassy and strong connections with the US Jewish community at large. They currently reside in South Florida. > Download Susan’s bio (PDF)

Susan Michael, Director, ICEJ USA and ACLI

Dr. Susan

Michael

Susan Michael, Director, ICEJ USA and ACLI

Dr. Susan Michael

President, ICEJ USA
Director, ACLI

For more than 35 years, Susan has pioneered the development of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in the United States and around the world. She currently serves as the ministry’s USA Director and is a member of the ICEJ’s international Board of Directors.

Susan’s involvement with the ICEJ began as a graduate student at Jerusalem University College in 1980, the same year that the Christian Embassy was first established. Upon completing her master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies, she returned from Israel with a heart to further the Embassy’s mission among fellow Americans. After a season assisting the ministry’s international leadership to host a series of high-profile pro-Israel conferences across the USA, she was asked to head up the ICEJ’s US Branch.

In addition to a master’s degree in Judeo-Christian Studies, she holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from Oral Roberts University and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Piedmont International University in 2018. Susan is an author, gifted teacher, and international speaker. She is often called upon to address complex and sensitive issues such as anti-Semitism, Islam, Jewish-Christian relations, and current events in the Middle East to a diverse range of audiences. Her experience working with Arabs, Jews, and Christians from many national and denominational backgrounds has equipped her to handle delicate topics central to an understanding of Israel with extraordinary clarity and grace.

In recent years she has produced several educational tools to enable other Christians to do the same, including the IsraelAnswers.com website, a series of highly accessible educational seminars, online courses at ICEJ U, course curricula for Christian colleges, and Embassy Publishers. Susan has built the US Branch of the ICEJ into a scripturally sound and reputable ministry, evidenced in its leadership of one of the strongest networks of Evangelical leaders in America—the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI).

Susan is the author of Encounter the 3D Bible: How to Read the Bible so It Comes to Life, Antisemitism: What Every Christian Needs to Know and How to Counter It, and Every Generation’s Story: 75 Years of American Christian Engagement with Israel.

Recently honored as a 2023 Christian Woman of Distinction by She Leads America and the U.S. House of Representatives, Susan joins other notable leaders such as Gov. Kristi Noem, Dr. Alveda King, and Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears to have received the distinction. She was also included in the Israel Allies Foundation’s recently released annual listing of Israel’s top 50 Christian Allies from various denominations and church networks around the globe.

Susan and her husband lived and worked for many years in Washington, DC, where she developed a close working relationship with the Israeli Embassy and strong connections with the US Jewish community at large. They currently reside in South Florida. > Download Susan’s bio (PDF)

Shelley Neese Headshot

Shelley

Neese

Shelley Neese

President, The Jerusalem Connection
Coordinator, ACLI

Shelley Neese is the president of The Jerusalem Connection, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and activate Christian support for Israel and the Jewish people. She is also the coordinator for ACLI. As coordinator, Shelley works to enhance the organization’s online presence, social media engagement, and communication efforts. Her work there involves producing the bimonthly email newsletter that summarizes ACLI news, events, and relevant topics such as antisemitism and US-Israel relations. As events in the region unfold, she also writes response articles highlighting ACLI members’ opinions. Shelley’s background has uniquely equipped her for her work in both organizations. She studied in Israel for three years at Ben Gurion University, where she received her Master of Arts in Middle Eastern studies. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biblical history and archaeology at The Bible Seminary. Her love of God’s Word and writing has resulted in two published books, The Copper Scroll Project and Bible Fiber: The Twelve Minor Prophets, and she hosts the related Bible Fiber podcast.

Allison Ngo Griffin

Allison Ngo Griffin has a passion for Israel, Jewish-Christian relations, and Christian ministry. She is a gifted event planner and uses her skills to coordinate conferences, gala dinners, and events that support Israel. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, she worked for the Texas House of Representatives before experiencing a radical encounter with Jesus in 2015. Her first trip to Israel in 2019 to attend the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast led to her ongoing involvement with Israel and commitment to combating antisemitism. Her hobbies include golfing and hospitality. She is married to Peter, whom she met in Israel, and lives in Miami, Florida.

Allison Ngo Griffin Headshot

Allison

Ngo Griffin

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