President Center for Congregations | Indianapolis, Indiana The Center for Congregations has selected Dr. Elise Erikson Barrett to be their next President. She assumed office on March 2, 2026.Dr. Barrett brings extensive experience as a philanthropic and nonprofit consultant focusing on serving leaders and communities who have an interest in congregations. Most recently she directed the coordination program for Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders, a multi-cohort initiative hosted by the Center for Congregations, and she additionally served as a consultant to Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School, supporting their learning based on the work of over 300 Lilly Endowment grantees in several initiatives.Elise holds degrees from Duke University (MDiv) and Hanover College (BA, Economics) and is a former United Methodist pastor and writer. She earned a Ph.D. in American Studies with a minor in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Indianapolis, focusing on issues of congregational economics and financial literacy practices.Ernest Brooks led this search with Liz Braun and Henry Nickerson.
