LeaderWise Transitions
Dear LeaderWise partners,
A theme in much of our work is transitions and, more specifically, supporting leaders and organizations so that they can move through times of transition in healthy and adaptive ways. As we engage in this work, one thing we often discuss is the importance of transparent communication in the midst of change. In that spirit, we wanted to update you on some changes happening here at LeaderWise.
At its most recent meeting, the LeaderWise Board of Directors voted to implement an arranged succession plan and appoint Drew Benson as Executive Director, effective December 1. Since the fall of 2022, LeaderWise has operated under a co-director model with Mark Sundby, Mary Kay DuChene, and Drew serving together as co-directors. One impetus for shifting to a co-director model at that time was for LeaderWise to begin working on a succession plan following Mark’s service as Executive Director since 2000. Over the past several months, the Board and Leadership Team had been feeling as though the time was right to take the next step in implementing this plan.
As part of this transition, both Mark and Mary Kay will remain on staff with LeaderWise: Mark will continue to see psychotherapy clients full time, and Mary Kay will remain on staff as a leadership consultant. The Board is enthusiastic about Drew stepping into the Executive Director role and expressed heartfelt gratitude for Mark’s and Mary Kay’s leadership throughout the past years. “LeaderWise is well-positioned for a successful transition,” commented Board President Karen Olson.
In continuing with a commitment to collaborative leadership, we are excited to provide a couple of other updates. Long-time LeaderWise staff psychologist Dr. Kelly Jordan will head up the Assessment Team and will serve as point person for your assessment-related questions. LeaderWise consultant emilie boggis will take on the role of Team Lead for Leadership Development and will be your key contact for consulting and workshop inquiries. Together with Operations Director Heather Koshiol, emilie, Kelly, and Drew will guide the organization into the future. In this continually changing church world, LeaderWise is grounded in our mission to accompany you—our ministry partners—and to provide you with vital services to support your ministry.
Among the upcoming projects we look forward to are publishing a board boundaries workbook, launching revised boundaries training curriculum, and continuing to offer mental health therapy from coast to coast. Our staff remains committed to ethical, inclusive practices that are relevant to evolving ministry realities.
All of us at LeaderWise send our gratitude to you, our partners in ministry. May you be surrounded by hope, peace, joy and love as we move through this Advent Season.
