Gellert Dornay

Gellert is one of nine siblings born to a Hungarian immigrant and a native Seattle mother. He married, completed his education, helped launch a boutique coffee roaster, and welcomed their first child before hitting legal drinking age.

Dornay helped Java Trading Co. bring specialty coffee to the masses on three continents over his 15 year tenure. He left Java Trading shortly after a private equity sale in 2006. He subsequently co-founded Axia Home Loans. Home ownership contributes greatly to family and economic stability. Under Gellert’s leadership as CEO, Axia grew to fund over $1 billion annually, helping thousands of families become homeowners. In 2016, Axia became the first 100% employee owned mortgage bank. Just as owners take better care of homes and communities so do the 350 employee/owners at Axia who now participate in company ownership and contribute to a stronger and more just and equitable economy.

Now the father of 10 children, Gellert is a strong proponent of employee ownership and directs and advises a number of educational, non-profit and for profit organizations.

Katherine & John Eames

Katherine (MBA, CMB) and John (MBA, CPA) have served the Northwest Catholic Family Education Conference since 1994. They are the parents of seven and home educated the two youngest. The Eames’ home education has benefited from many influences: notably, Maria Montessori, Father John Hardon, the Eastern Catholic Church, Billings LIFE Leaders in Fertility Education, 40 Days for Life, Sea Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America, and Musica Sacra. Katherine sits on the Board of Directors for NWCFEC.

Julia Fogassy

Julia is a wife, mother of nine, grandmother of twenty-six, and great grandmother of one. Julia owns and operates an online business (www.ourfathershouse.biz) that provides educational materials for Catholic families. Together with her husband, Karl, they homeschooled their youngest six children through high school. As an outgrowth of the home school experience, Julia authored a history program, the ABCs of Christian Culture, and a phonics and reading program, Sound Beginnings, widely used by Catholic home schoolers. Julia is a trained Lamaze Childbirth Educator and has prepared many married couples for a natural childbirth. Julia also teaches the Confirmation preparation class at St. Joseph/St. John in Elma/Montesano, WA.

Kristin Abbananto