Those Who Serve the Foundation

Mark J. Finlay is an international advisor, speaker, peacebuilder, and founder of the Leaders and Followers Foundation. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the Troubles, his life and work have been shaped by a deep commitment to reconciliation, principled leadership, and the transforming power of the Gospel.

Over more than three decades, Mark has advised leaders in government, business, and civil society across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. His experience spans corporate governance, strategic infrastructure, post-conflict transformation, diplomacy, and international development.

Mark serves as a Senior Congressional Fellow and advisor on Capitol Hill, where he has spent more than a decade supporting Members of Congress in the areas of international engagement, faith, and leadership. He also serves as Senior Advisor to UNICORN, working alongside entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators at the intersection of emerging technology, finance, and global opportunity.

A former Commissioner of Belfast Harbour, Chairman of major regeneration partnerships, and author of Northern Ireland’s Global Diaspora Strategy, Mark has consistently worked to build bridges between communities, nations, and sectors.

Together with his wife, Karen, Mark leads the Leaders and Followers Foundation, whose mission is to cultivate leaders of character through faithful presence, prayer, and peacebuilding. Their work brings together public servants, business leaders, diplomats, and emerging leaders around tables of friendship, discipleship, and thoughtful conversation, seeking to help people understand the times and know what to do.

Karen J. Finlay is a scientist, mentor, and co-founder of the Leaders and Followers Foundation. Raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland during the Troubles, she shares a lifelong commitment to reconciliation, discipleship, and helping people flourish through authentic relationships grounded in Jesus Christ.

A Chartered Chemist and Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Karen spent more than twenty-five years applying scientific thinking to complex challenges in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. Her professional training has shaped an approach marked by careful observation, thoughtful discernment, and a desire to understand before seeking to be understood.

Today Karen devotes much of her time to mentoring and encouraging leaders across generations. As a Fellow of the C.S. Lewis Institute, she has mentored young leaders through both the U.S. Naval Academy College Associates Program and the C.S. Lewis Fellows Program, while investing deeply in young women, mothers, couples, and emerging leaders who seek to live lives of faith, courage, and service.

Alongside her husband, Mark, Karen helps cultivate places of welcome where friendships deepen, conversations matter, and lives are shaped around the table. Whether hosting leaders, encouraging the next generation, or quietly supporting those carrying significant responsibilities, she believes lasting transformation begins with faithful presence, careful listening, and, more often than not, a good cup of tea.

When she isn’t mentoring, hosting, or serving behind the scenes, Karen still enjoys the thrill of skiing down mountains at top speed—slightly out of control.