Servant leader: present, equipped, here

STACY KITAHATA is co-executive director of Holden Village, a remote wilderness community and retreat center in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state.

A facilitator and trainer for intercultural equity leadership and organizational change in nonprofit organizations and higher education.

THE REV ANNA-KARI JOHNSON is currently Program Manager, Evangelism Initiatives ELCA Christian Community and Leadership Home Area. Program Manager, Evangelism Initiatives.

A pastor, new church planter, pastoral team builder, and servant leader.

VALORA K. STARR, director for discipleship, has been with Women of the ELCA since its inception in 1988. She began her churchwide ministry in evangelism and stewardship with the former American Lutheran Church youth ministries in 1983.

Her work has included developing Women of the ELCA’s evangelism strategy and the organization’s first churchwide initiative, Women and Children Living in Poverty, and Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls. She continues to work in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, and global education.

Valora is a member of Bethel Lutheran Church on Chicago’s west side. She feels the congregation is at the heart of the church and its ministry of sharing the Good News.

Myrna Wells-Ulland was elected to the executive board for Women of the ELCA in September 2023. In addition to serving as president, she serves on the executive committee and the executive director evaluation committee.

She serves on the leadership team of 2122: Growing Katie’s Fund for the next 100 years campaign. As an active member of Living Water Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, Ariz., she leads a weekly women’s Bible study, coordinates their Piecemakers mission quilting, sings in the choir, and serves in other leadership areas. Myrna also serves on the Grand Canyon Synod Council. She chairs the board of a small Minnesota-based non-profit, Peter’s Hope, supporting an elementary school and women’s empowerment center in Mombasa, Kenya.