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).

Tammy Devine serves as an ICF-certified coach; a retreat facilitator; and a consultant through Devine Coaching.  Devine collaborates with thought leaders to facilitate personal and communal growth toward living and leading well. Devine is a registered nurse, has a Master’s in Leadership from Luther Seminary, is an ELCA Deacon, a parish nurse/coordinator, and has completed the Grace Institute for Spiritual Formation and Coach training through Auburn Theological Seminary. 

Currently serves in Omaha, Nebraska as Interim Presbyter of Missouri River Valley (9000 members, 51 churches), Synod of Lincoln Trails, Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA). Graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary and is in the final phase of the Doctor of Ministry program at McCormick Theological Seminary studying presbytery revitalization. Has served the PCUSA in the Church (South Dakota, Taipei, New York City, Edinburgh, Nebraska), the Synod and the Presbytery.

Mandy is the Pastor Placement Process (P3) Administrator for Converge North Central (CNC).  After serving as a Children’s Pastor for 9 years, Mandy joined the then Minnesota Baptist Conference (now CNC) as Women’s Ministries Director for the district. After leading a development team to design a system to allow our autonomous churches to find a pastor that will be the right fit for their next season of ministry, she now administrates the program. P3 serves Converge churches nationwide. Mandy is married with two adult children and one son-in-law. 

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. 

Rev. Karen Hutt is Vice President for Formation, Vocation, and Experience at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. She also serves part time at First Universalist Church in Minneapolis. Karen is a Certified ACPE Educator and APC Board Certified Chaplain. She has served churches in Chicago, founded non-profits and served as an innovative educator in numerous settings on the East Coast and Midwest.