LeaderWise
LeaderWise
Counseling and Consulting for Lives of Service

The LeaderWise Team

 
Drew Benson, PhD, LP, LeaderWise Co-Director

Drew Benson, PhD, LP
LeaderWise Co-Director
Staff Psychologist

Mark Sundby, MDiv, PhD, LP
LeaderWise Co-Director
Staff Psychologist

Mary Kay DuChene, MA
LeaderWise Co-Director

 
Ali Kenny, PsyD, LP Staff Psychologist

Ali Kenny, PsyD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Alicia Forde, MDiv
Spiritual Director

Caroline Burke, PhD, LP Staff Psychologist

Caroline Burke, PhD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Cindy Halvorson, MDiv, DMin Staff Associate

Cindy Halvorson, MDiv, DMin
Staff Associate

 
Dan Nelson, PhD, LP Staff Psychologist

Dan Nelson, PhD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Danny Elenz, PsyD, LP Staff Psychologist

Danny Elenz, PsyD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Gaynelle Erickson Office Administrator

Gaynelle Erickson
Office Administrator

Graham Hart, MDIv Staff Associate

Graham Hart, MDIv
Staff Associate

 
Heather Koshiol, MA Office Administrator

Heather Koshiol, MA
Operations Manager

Heidi Lender, MA Spiritual Director

Heidi Lender, MA
Spiritual Director

Heweon Seo, PhD, LP Staff Psychologist

Heweon Seo, PhD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Jeff Glover, LPCC, LADC
Staff Associate

 

Joanna Quanbeck, PhD, LP
Staff Psychologist

John Chang-Yee Lee, M.Div., D.Min
Staff Associate

Julica Hermann de la Fuente, MA, MSW
Staff Associate

Kathleen Talvacchia, Ed.D.
Staff Associate

 
Kathy Paige, MA Staff Associate

Kathy Paige Gullo, MA, LPCC
Staff Associate

Kari Nelson, PsyD, LP Staff Psychologist

Kari Nelson, PsyD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Kelly Jordan, PhD, LP Staff Psychologist

Kelly Jordan, PhD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Kori Thomsen
Administrative Assistant

 

Laura Beth Buchleiter
Spiritual Director

Mary Stieber Reynhout
Staff Associate

Okokon Udo, PhD, PCC, CPCC Staff Associate

Okokon Udo, PhD, PCC, CPCC
Staff Associate

Pete Reuss, MDiv Staff Associate

Pete Reuss, MDiv
Staff Associate

 

Rebecca Fletcher, MDiv, Bcc, MINT
Staff Associate

Sarah Ciavarri, MDiv, BCC, PCC, CDTLF
Staff Associate

Sarah Moore-Nokes Staff Associate

Sarah Moore-Nokes, MDiv, ACC
Staff Associate

Sarah Parker, MDiv, MA, LMFT Staff Associate

Sarah Parker, MDiv, MA, LMFT
Staff Associate

 
Susan Miller, MAR, MDiv Spiritual Director

Susan Miller, MAR, MDiv
Spiritual Director

Tim Nelson, DMin, BCC Spiritual Director

Tim Nelson, DMin, BCC
Spiritual Director

 
Tom Allen, PhD, LP Staff Psychologist

Tom Allen, PhD, LP
Staff Psychologist

Victor Thompson Staff Associate

Victor Thompson
Staff Associate

 

LeaderWise Board of Directors

Karen Olson Board PresidentIn 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 canon…

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 SecretaryRichard 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…

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-OfficioMark has served as a consultant, teacher, and counselor in the field of psychology for over twenty years. For the past nineteen years, as executive director of LeaderWise, Mark has specialized in personality and leader…

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 DeMeesterDirector 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 sta…

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 DingmanRev. 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 Theologica…

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 GrinagerHoward 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 i…

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 SandersJeff serves as Associate Dean of Formation and Professional Development with Bethel University.

Jeff Sanders

Jeff serves as Associate Dean of Formation and Professional Development with Bethel University.