Communications Manager
As communications manager, James Todd oversees and coordinates public communications for the Chapel, including broadcasts, social media, this website, and publications. He came to the Chapel in 2014 from Duke’s University Communications and Marketing office where he worked as a writer, producer, and then video manager. While at MarComms (then News and Communications), he launched and regularly hosted the Office Hours interactive webcast show, which won a national Silver Medal from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for Public Relations and Community Relations Projects. He also was a co-producer for a national TV commercial for Duke University, which was nominated for a regional Emmy Award. Since coming to Duke Chapel, he has been a producer on the Chapel’s national Christmas TV special The Marvel of This Night and created the Sounds of Faith podcast, which uses audio recordings to bring to life conversations about faith connected to Duke Chapel and the wider university.
As a writer and producer, James has had articles and segments in media outlets including PRI’s The World, WUNC News, World Vision Report, The State of Things, Duke Magazine, The American Commons, and The Tavis Smiley Show. His work has earned him nine national and regional awards.
Most recently as a lay catechist for the Duke Catholic Center, James has served the community and church in a number of ways, including as a deacon at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, a lay leader at Church of the Holy Family (Episcopal), a Faith Team member with the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham, a volunteer with Yokefellows Prison Ministry, and an advisory board member of the Duke University Episcopal Student Fellowship.
A graduate of Duke (bachelor of arts in physics), James is married with five children who keep him busy, inspired, and humbled.