Staff

The work of Women of the ELCA is carried out by the women who participate in the organization in congregations and synods across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

In the churchwide office in Chicago, 12 women serve as staff, providing support and resources to you.

Administrative support

Vanessa Davis

Call or email Vanessa when you have a general, quick question.
800-638-3522, ext. 2702
Women.elca@elca.org

Congregational unit support »

Eva Yeo, director for membership, supports the more than 7,000 congregational, intercongregational, and special units of our organization and relates to congregations that currently do not have a unit of Women of the ELCA.

Eva Yeo
800-638-3522, ext. 2450
Eva.Yeo@elca.org

Gather magazine »

Kate Elliott is the editor and Terri Lackey is the managing editor. They share responsibility for planning, editing and managing the magazine and its Web site, www.gathermagazine.org.

For questions about the magazine's content and Bible study contact

Kate Elliott
800-638-3522, ext. 2766 gather@elca.org
Terri Lackey
800-638-3522, ext. 2732

To order the Bible study Leader Guide, Companion Bible, and bookmarks, use the ELCA Resource Catalog online or call 800-638-3522.

For subscriptions, call our distribution partner, Augsburg Fortress, at 1-800-328-4648, or visit www.augsburgfortress.org.

Café editor and director for intergenerational programs »

Our monthly on-line publication for young adult women is produced by Elizabeth McBride. Find it at http://boldcafe.org. Beth also connects with young adult women across the church, especially on college and seminary campuses, and plays a lead role in Women of the ELCA’s presence at the ELCA Youth Gathering and networking events involving young adults. She specializes in conducting workshops about communication among different generations through social media.

Elizabeth McBride
800-638-3522, ext. 2745
Elizabeth.McBride@elca.org

Discipleship »

As director for discipleship, Valora Starr develops and coordinates programs, events and conversations that involve discerning God’s call, understanding God’s gifts and responding to God’s presence in our lives. Valora also serves as coordinator of Women of the ELCA’s global education network and administers the scholarships program, which offers annual scholarships for post-secondary education and graduate studies.

Valora Starr
800-638-3522, ext. 2741
Valora.Starr@elca.org

Justice »

Inez Torres Davis is Women of the ELCA director for justice. She also coordinates the Women of the ELCA grants program, which makes annual grants to groups and agencies that provide support and services to women and children; and she develops programs, events, and conversations related to racism, cross-cultural understanding, commercial sexual exploitation, and the care of creation. Inez supports Today’s Dream, Tomorrow’s Reality, our network of anti-racism educators and advocates.

Inez Torres Davis
800-638-3522, ext. 2428
InezTorres.Davis@elca.org

Stewardship and development »

Emma Crossen develops and coordinates stewardship resources, events, and conversations that involve the use of our time, talents and money. Emma offers workshops and retreats on these topics and planned giving.

Emma Crossen
800-638-3522, ext. 2736
Emma.Crossen@elca.org

Triennial convention and gathering coordination, meeting planning

Gabriela Contreras is the meeting planner for triennial conventions and gatherings and other churchwide meetings.

Gabriela Contreras
800-638-3522, ext. 2747
Gabriela.Contreras@elca.org

Associate executive director

Deborah Calvert is the primary liaison to synodical presidents and treasurers. She also assists the executive director with the administration of the organization, including budget and spending oversight, strategic planning, staff leadership and office management.

Deborah Calvert
800-638-3522, ext. 2739
Deborah.Calvert@elca.org

Assistant to the executive director

Ann Hightower assists the executive director in planning, coordinating and implementing all aspects of her work.

Ann Hightower
800-638-3522, ext. 2746
Ann.Hightower@elca.org

Executive director

Linda Post Bushkofsky, executive director of Women of the ELCA, is responsible for the overall management and direction of the churchwide staff and seeing that the policies and plans of the organization are met. She works closely with each staff member and communicates regularly with participants, synodical officers and boards, ecumenical partners, and other offices and expressions of the ELCA.

Linda Post Bushkofsky
800-638-3522, ext. 2740
Linda.Bushkofsky@elca.org