Everence Board of Directors Ballot

For 78 years, our faith and values have guided our commitment to cultivating and growing the resources that enrich our communities and the lives we share. And as we continue to go where we want to grow, it’s an exciting time to be on the Everence® Board of Directors – and a fitting time for you to participate in our board appointments!
Board member taking notes at meeting

About the slate ballot

Every two years, the Everence® Board of Directors holds a slate election to fill its open seats. The 13-member Board provides mission oversight to Everence and our fraternal benefits affiliate, Everence Association Inc.

Woman raising her hand in meeting

Cast your vote

All eligible Everence Association members are invited to ratify the slate by Dec. 29, 2023. Be sure to have your unique election code (mailed to you in November or December) ready to authenticate your vote.

Cast your vote Emita su voto

Meet the candidates

Following a robust discernment process, the Everence Board of Directors is pleased to present a slate ballot of individuals with deep expertise, broad experience, and committed faith – characteristics that will help Everence continue to fulfill its mission of helping people integrate their faith and values with their financial decisions.

Sylvia Bribiesca Penner, Everence Board of Directors

Sylvia Bribiesca Penner (Incumbent)

Wichita, Kansas

Occupation: Attorney, Penner Lowe Law Group LLC

Church: RidgePoint Church (Wichita, Kansas)

Other roles: Board member, Salvation Army, Tabor College and Kansas Health Foundation

I am honored by the invitation to join the Everence Board of Directors and look forward to applying my skills to help advance its objectives. Being part of an organization that is guided by faith in helping persons and communities with their finances and health is both humbling and exciting.
Lauren Good, Everence Board of Directors (2019)

Lauren Good (Incumbent)

Seattle, Washington

Occupation: Interim Deputy Director, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Church: Seattle (Washington) Mennonite Church 

In my work, I engage with many mission-driven organizations that generate value and serve their constituents. I see Everence in the same way with dedicated leadership and staff promoting stewardship through education, financial products and service offerings that are consistent with my (and our members’) Anabaptist values. I consider it a privilege to serve the organization and contribute to the work of the Board.

Greg Davidson Laszakovits, 2023

Greg Davidson Laszakovits

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Owner/Principal, GDL Insight

Church: Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania) Church of the Brethren

Other roles: Church of the Brethren liaison to Brazil; Board member, Samara Family Services; Interim pastor, Grossnickle Church of the Brethren (Myersville, Maryland)

It’s an honor to be considered for the Everence Board. In my current roles as a leadership coach, organizational consultant and interim pastor, it gives me great joy to help organizations and people be their best so they can serve the world fully. That is what I see Everence doing with its many services – services that always reflect the Anabaptist values that are part of how I seek to live my life: holistic stewardship, generosity and faithfulness.

Kate Liechty, CPA, Everence Board of Directors

Kate Leichty, CPA (Incumbent)

Goshen, Indiana

Occupation: Tax Partner, Kruggel Lawton CPA

Church: Eighth Street Mennonite Church (Goshen, Indiana)

As a CPA and committed member of the Anabaptist faith, I believe in the importance of the work that Everence does by supporting members in integrating their resources with their values.

Emerson Lesher, Everence Board of Directors (2017)

Emerson Lesher (Incumbent)

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Occupation: President, Lesher Consulting

Church: Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Brethren in Christ Church

Other roles: Past board member, Messiah University, Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence, Brethren in Christ Historical Society, and other nonprofit organizations; former CEO, Messiah Lifeways; former senior vice president, MHS Association and MHS Consulting; and former senior psychologist, Philhaven Behavioral Health

Everence provides unique, needed services to the wider Anabaptist community and beyond, and I’m honored to serve on the Board. Helping persons with little and with much be faithful stewards is an important mission. There are not many places where Christians can consider the financial components of life as well as receive services to achieve financial goals.

Steve Lindsey, Everence Board of Directors

Steve Lindsey (Incumbent)

Leola, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Chief Executive Officer, Garden Spot Communities

Church: Groffdale Mennonite Church (Leola, Pennsylvania)

Other roles: Board member, Wellspan Health, SAGE, Environments for Aging Editorial Board and other nonprofit boards

I’m honored to represent LMC on the Board. Everence serves people of diverse backgrounds with excellence, creating community and thinking innovatively about integrating a person’s faith and values into their stewardship planning. Working in senior living, I see the impact this can have and the idea of coming alongside people to improve lives and better communities resonates with me.


Kirby Miller, CPA, Everence Board of Directors (2017)

Kirby Miller, CPA (Incumbent)

Irwin, Ohio

Occupation: Federal Government Accounting Advisor, Frontier Inc.

Church: Shiloh Mennonite Church (London, Ohio)

Other roles: Board member, She Dreams Again; past committee member, Shiloh Mennonite Church Financial Committee and London Christian Fellowship; and more than 25 years of accounting and financial experience in manufacturing, insurance and service industries

I have a personal passion for financial wellness and love to see the work Everence is doing in the church and community. I am honored to represent Rosedale Network of Churches on the Everence Board.

Sunday Obri, Everence Board of Directors, 2023

Sunday Obri

Twinsburg, Ohio

Occupation: System Director, Summa Health System, Akron City Hospital

Church: Lee Heights Community Church (Cleveland, Ohio)

Other roles: Chair, Summa Health System Retention Committee of the Diversity Action Committee; Assistant Coach, Twinsburg AC Fourth Grade Boys Soccer Team

I am excited to apply my skills and expertise to an organization that shares my values and beliefs. As a member of the Mennonite Church, I am particularly enthusiastic about joining Everence and its mission to assist individuals in combining their faith and finances. I believe my experiences and perspective will be a valuable contribution to the Board, and I am eager to take on this responsibility and make a positive impact. I look forward to the journey ahead.

 

By taking part in this important slate election, you are guiding our Board's governance on your behalf. Your input is extremely valuable, and we appreciate the many ways you participate with Everence.

Ken Hochstetler, President and CEO Kenneth D. Hochstetler Everence President and Chief Executive Officer

Nomination process

Nominations for the Everence Board of Directors come from our related denominations, church networks and Everence members. In selecting the nominees for member affirmation, the Board considers factors including personal faith orientation, professional experience, membership representation and association participation.

Who is eligible to vote?

Voting is open to anyone who owns a product or service – such as our senior health plans and annuities – through Everence Association Inc., our fraternal benefits affiliate.

Have a question? Contact one of our representatives, or get in touch with us at (800) 361-7278 or info@everence.com.

 

Be part of something bigger

Everence is the common name for our entities and affiliates that share the same mission – including Everence Association Inc. As nonprofit, 501(c)(8) fraternal benefit organization, Everence Association uses its earnings to fund community programs and service – enabling members to carry out charitable, educational, social and other volunteer initiatives. 

Even if you don't own an Everence Association product or service, you can still be part of the Everence community. See how you can become an Everence member and give back through unique community investing, grant-making and charitable giving programs.

About Everence

We're a financial services company based on the idea that it's possible to incorporate your faith and values with your decisions about money. Learn more about the difference it makes when your financial services company is rooted in something more than making a profit.

Sonido de Alabanza Associate Pastor Sergio Nava, Treasurer Gina Ramirez and Senior Pastor Esdras Ferreras

Making an impact

Every day, Everence members support each other in reaching toward new horizons. Our financial information and stewardship stories can tell you more about how we're making a positive impact.

Multigenerational-multiethnic-group-with-arms-around-each-other

Stewardship at work

Being a responsible steward of our resources isn't a one-and-done sort of thing. It's something we do each and every day. Take a closer look at the difference it makes when your financial services company is rooted in something more than making a profit.
Everence members are served food by an Everence staff person at a client appreciation event in Central Penn.

Serving members

Across the U.S., more than 78,000 members and more than 30 church denominations work with Everence, to put into practice the biblical principle that all we are and all we have are from God (Psalm 24).
Lynette Morales, Everence Stewardship Consultant, speaks to a Stewardship University attendee in 2020.

Vision and values

Our staff across the country are committed to helping you grow a brighter future. Guiding their work is our Everence Senior Leadership Team, Everence Board of Directors and Affiliate Boards.