Dr. Jodi L. Porter joined Acadia Divinity College on July 1, 2023, as Director of Education for Ministry Innovation as part of the Futuring Lab project at ADC.  

The Futuring Lab is a dynamic space to conduct research on trends and developments that will impact the future life of the church, as well as experiment with new approaches to theological education. The Futuring Lab has two inter-related elements: a Hub of Trend Research and Analysis that will conduct, gather, and interpret research on cultural trends, and a Sandbox for Theological Education and the Church to experiment with new methods and pedagogies. The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. 

As Director of Education for Ministry Innovation, Jodi is leading the Sandbox and is providing oversight to the full Futuring Lab project. She brings extensive experience coordinating programs that cultivate learning communities and leadership development for church and academy. Most recently, Jodi served as Director of Coordination with the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) in Decatur, Georgia. Her prior roles include Consultant and Facilitator at Baylor University, Program Coordinator at Duke University Divinity School, Project Coordinator and Consultant at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Office of International Studies and Adjunct Lecturer at William Jewell College.

Jodi is married to Dr. D. Steven Porter and together they have two children.