The LeaderWise Board of Directors

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.

Mark 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 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.

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).

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).