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About Us
Staff of Women of the ELCA

Office of the executive director
Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director
e-mail: Linda.Bushkofsky@elca.org (Linda Post Bushkofsky)
800/638-3522, ext. 2740 
773/380-2740
Serves as the official liaison between Women of the ELCA and the ELCA; carries out the policies of the organization and is responsible for implementation of goals set by the churchwide executive board.

Linda McKinsey, triennial gathering coordinator
e-mail: Linda.Mckinsey@elca.org (Linda McKinsey)
800/638-3522, ext. 2497
773/380-2497
Coordinates the planning and implementation of the triennial gathering.

Marilyn O'Connor, assistant director
e-mail: Marilyn.OConnor@elca.org (Marilyn O'Connor)
800/638-3522, ext. 2727 
773/380-2727
Assists in all phases of institutional leadership; aids in creating and revitalizing congregational, inter-congregational, and special units; serves as liaison with the churchwide executive board and the synodical presidents; coordinates the twice-yearly meetings of the board and the annual Conference of Synodical Presidents; and staffs the board's constitution committee.

Gabriela Contreras, assistant to the executive director
e-mail: Gabriela.Contreras@elca.org (Gabriela Contreras)
800/638-3522, ext. 2747  
773/380-2747
Provides administrative and clerical support to the executive director, maintains the organization's central database, and serves as initial contact person for information and resources.
 

Communication
Deb Bogaert, director for communication
e-mail: Deb.Bogaert@elca.org (Deb Bogaert)
800/638-3522, ext. 2729 
Directs and coordinates the publishing and information efforts of the organization through a comprehensive communication strategy; editor of Interchange.

Laura Barkenquast, resource specialist
e-mail: Laura.Barkenquast@elca.org (Laura Barkenquast)
800/638-3522, ext. 2737  
773/380-2737
Manages the centralized resource distribution process and is the primary resource contact person; manages and promotes the organization's resource center.

Katherine (Kate) Sprutta Elliott, editor, Lutheran Woman Today magazine
e-mail: Kate.Elliott@elca.org (Kate Elliott)
800/638-3522, ext. 2766 
773/380-2766
Responsible for all aspects of the development, production, and distribution of Lutheran Woman Today magazine.

Terri Lackey, managing editor, Lutheran Woman Today
e-mail: Terri.Lackey@elca.org (Terri Lackey)
800/638-3522, ext. 2732
773/380-2732
Assists in the development, production and distribution of Lutheran Woman Today and manages the day-to-day operations of the magazine.

Audrey Novak Riley, associate editor, Lutheran Woman Today
e-mail: Audrey.Riley@elca.org (Audrey Riley)
800/638-3522, ext. 2743
773/3380-2743
Assists in the production and distribution of Lutheran Woman Today.

Elizabeth McBride, editor and designer, Café—Stirring the Spirit Within
e-mail: Elizabeth.McBride@elca.org (Beth McBride)
800/638-3522, ext. 2745 
773/380-2745
 Edits Café, the electronic magazine for younger women, designs and maintains the Café Web site.

Bonnie B. Belasic, Web developer
e-mail: Bonnie.Belasic@elca.org  (Bonnie Belasic)
800/638-3522, ext. 2733
773/380-2733
Develops and maintains the Women of the ELCA Web site.

Mary LaPlante, communication specialist (marketing)
e-mail: Mary.LaPlante@elca.org (Mary LaPlante)
800/638-3522, ext. 2733
773/380-2744
Creates, implements, and manages an integrated marketing communication plan that promotes the many resources of the women's organization.

Eva James Yeo, administrative assistant
e-mail: Eva.Yeo@elca.org (Eva Yeo)
800/638-3522, ext. 2450 
773/380-2450
Provides administrative and clerical assistance to the communication group, and maintains the Lutheran Woman Today Web site.
 

Operations
Deborah Powell, director for operations
e-mail: Deborah.Powell@elca.org  (Deborah Powell)
800/638-3522, ext. 2739
773/380-2739
Organizes unit administration and oversees financial, personnel, and facilities management.

Michelle Hollins, budget director
 e-mail: Michelle.Hollins@elca.org (Michelle Hollins)
800/638-3522, ext. 2728
773-380-2728
Works with development and oversight of the budget, directs the operation of the financial depository system, and authorizes and monitors unit expenditures.

Vanessa Davis, administrative assistant
e-mail: Vanessa.Davis@elca.org (Vanessa Davis)
800/638-3522, ext. 2702
773/380-2702
Works with invoices, check requests, and travel expense reports; processes income and deposits; and ensures the accuracy of the gift processing system.
 

Programming
Valora Starr, associate for programs
e-mail: Valora.Starr@elca.org (Valora Starr)
800/638-3522, ext. 2741 
773/380-2741
A generalist, she develops and coordinates program resources and learning opportunities for participants in Women of the ELCA in the areas of evangelism and discipleship, and global education.

Inez Torres Davis, associate for programs
e-mail: InezTorres.Davis@elca.org (Inez Torres Davis)
800/638-3522, ext. 2428 
773/380-2428
A generalist, she develops and coordinates program resources and learning opportunities for participants in Women of the ELCA in the areas of anti-racism, cross-cultural awareness, and commercial sexual exploitation.

Emily Hansen, associate for programs
e-mail: Emily.Hansen@elca.org (Emily Hansen)
800/638-3522, ext. 2736
773/380-2736
A generalist, she develops and coordinates program resources and learning opportunities for participants in Women of the ELCA in the areas of grants, scholarships, stewardship, and social justice, specifically related to wealth and poverty issues.

(Open), administrative assistant
Ann Hutchinson, temporary assistant
800-638-3522, ext. 2735
773-380-2735
Provides overall administrative support to the program team. Among her tasks, she maintains records and correspondence for the scholarships and grant programs, the anti-racism network, and the spirituality efforts of the organization.