LeaderWise Board of Directors
Karen Olson
Board President
In her 19th year with the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN), Canon Karen Olson serves as ECMN Missioner for Ministry. She works closely with faith communities in leadership transitions, guides the discernment and canonical process for ordination and serves as the team lead for the ECMN Missioners. She has a diverse work background having taught at the college level, served as a campaign manager for a US Senate race, administered in a parish office, and worked in church publishing.
Richard Wagner
Board Secretary
Richard has 25 years’ experience as a local church pastor; 10+ years as Associate Conference Minister in MN Conference, United Church of Christ (UCC), mostly staffing the committee that handles candidates for ordination and assisting churches with pastoral transitions. Advise congregations on best practices in local church stewardship. Used LeaderWise’s services first as a client (ca. 2000) and have been a board member since 2008 representing the UCC (the UCC being an original incorporator).
Drew Benson, PhD, LP
Ex-Officio
Drew is a licensed psychologist with over 18 years of experience providing assessment and counseling to individuals across the lifespan in a variety of settings. He also has experience providing clinical supervision, leading workshops and trainings and consulting with congregations.
Mary Kay DuChene, MA
Ex-Officio
Mary Kay is a leadership coach and consultant, facilitator, teacher, and strategist with over 30 years of experience in management, leadership development, marketing, and business management and development. She is also a deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Mark Sundby, PhD, LP
Ex-Officio
Mark has served as a consultant, teacher, and counselor in the field of psychology for over twenty years. As co-director of LeaderWise, Mark has specialized in personality and leadership assessment, with an emphasis on health and wholeness, leadership development, and conflict skills training. The center contracts with over fifteen businesses, denominations, and seminaries to provide leadership assessments, and meets with about 750 individuals each year.
Deb DeMeester
Director of Leadership and Development, Synod of Lakes and Prairies, PCUSA. Teaching Elder Deb DeMeester began serving in the synod in 2016. She provides staff support for Synod School, the popular week-long, midsummer ministry, and staffs the synod's numerous leadership development activities. Previously served as associate executive for leadership development for the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and directed a graduate leadership program at the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN).
Sara Dingman
Rev. Dingman currently serves as Synod Executive of the Synod of Lincoln Trails, Presbyterian Church (USA). Graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and is in the final phase of the Doctor of Ministry program at McCormick Theological Seminary studying presbytery revitalization. In the last 30 years has served the Presbyterian Church in South Dakota, Taipei, New York City, Edinburgh and Nebraska.
Howard Grinager
Howard grew up in the home of a pastor in South Dakota. After graduation from Dakota Wesleyan, he taught junior high science for 10 years. After attending seminary at Boston University, he returned to South Dakota to pastor churches in South Dakota. Howard also served as a District Superintendent. In retirement he substitute teaches and preaches and is presently also serving on the Board of Ordained Ministry. Howard is married with two children and five grandchildren.
Kelly Gallagher
Jeff Sanders
Jeff serves as Associate Dean of Formation and Professional Development with Bethel University.