Suzanne P. Kelly named as new MCC CEO

Minnesota administrative leader Suzanne P. Kelly named as new Council of Churches CEO

The Minnesota Council of Churches Board of Directors is proud to announce that after a national search a new CEO has been selected. Suzanne Kelly is most recently the Chief of Staff at the Center for Economic Inclusion, a Twin Cities based nonprofit focused on closing racial wealth gaps and building equitable regional economies. The bulk of her career has involved service to the community, including at both the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Public School Districts as a systemic change leader.

She is a leader in her congregation, Christ Temple Apostolic Church in Roseville, part of MCC member denomination the 7^th Episcopal District Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, where she holds the title of Elder. Elder Kelly has an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University – Mankato.

“Elder Kelly’s vision of the Council of Churches as uniting Christian leaders to deliver light, love and service to our state – especially to Minnesotans plagued by racial division, by polarization, or by persecution in their homeland – is a perfect fit for this organization” said Board President Bishop Richard D. Howell, Jr.

“MCC is the combined witness of twenty-seven member communions building the common good of truth and justice in the world. We do this through Refugee Services, Racial Justice Truth and Reparations, Healing Minnesota Stories, Respectful Conversations, interfaith relationships, and justice advocacy,” said Board Vice President Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart. “The scale of responsibility is immense and we engage multiple networks to accept the challenges and develop solutions. The Council is blessed that Elder Kelly will bring all of the leadership talents she has displayed in some of our state’s largest educational, philanthropic and faith-based institutions into this role.”

Reflecting on her selection, Kelly said “The Council’s work most recently under both Dr. DeYoung and Presiding Elder Smith reflects much of what drives me every day: a deep sense of purpose toward those who are disadvantaged due to generational poverty, racial discrimination, broken systems, and other factors designed to limit access and voice.”

Kelly will begin her term as CEO on July 29. Co-CEOs Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung and Presiding Elder Stacey Smith will stay on through the end of August as transition consultants.

About Minnesota Council of Churches

Representing 27 member judicatories and about 1,000,000 Christians, the Minnesota Council of Churches’ mission is to manifest unity in the church and to build the common good in the world. The Minnesota Council of Churches programs include Refugee Services, Racial Justice, Respectful Conversations^TM, Advocacy, Interfaith Relationships and the Minnesota Church Center. For more information, visit www.mnchurches.org