Dr. Joel W. Harder is the Chaplain of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and has more than 10 years of experience working in international leadership development through local churches, nationwide nonprofits, and political arenas. Over the course of his career, Harder launched an annual Faith & Work conference for young professionals in Washington, D.C. and developed leadership conferences held in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe for faith and community leaders.

 

In 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt asked Harder to launch the Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast calling all Oklahomans to unite through prayer for the state’s elected leaders, the convening legislative session, and for all people in Oklahoma to thrive. The first annual Oklahoma Governor’s Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for February 18, 2020.

 

Harder works in the Oklahoma State Capitol shaping a positive leadership culture among Oklahoma policymakers through non-political and non-lobbying engagement and leadership development.

 

Harder lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and two daughters.