Executive Director: Joe Swimmer

Joe Swimmer is the Executive Director of CEEP (the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes), the only national membership organization for Episcopal parishes and seminaries fostering connection, collaboration and innovation. As Executive Director, Joe works with CEEP’s Board of Directors to set the strategic direction for the organization and execute its programming.

As the Executive Director of CEEP, Joe believes strongly that grassroots parish ministry is the basis for the church’s future. Joe is committed to empowering CEEP member parishes and seminaries in building ministries that impact and strengthen individuals and communities while also strengthening the church as a whole.

Prior to joining CEEP, Joe was a director of development and congregational stewardship at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. While at the cathedral, Joe secured significant new funding for restoration and repair projects. Joe also spearheaded efforts to rebuild the Cathedral Congregation, working closely with the vicar to engage this important constituency. Prior to joining the cathedral, Joe served as the Director of Individual Giving with the Center for Youth Wellness and as Director of Development and Communications for the California Bar Foundation, both in San Francisco.

Joe’s professional experience includes work in a variety of executive leadership, strategic development, market planning, marketing and business development roles with the Stanford Alumni Association, the University of California (Boalt Hall) and, for almost a decade, with the legal services provider LexisNexis.

Joe graduated with a degree in history and religion, magna cum laude, from Tufts University. He has studied towards his MA in American Indian History at the University of Tulsa and holds his law degree from Stanford Law School. He is a member of the State Bar of California.

Over his career, Joe has been active in numerous civic, professional and faith-based organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Rensselaerville Institute (www.rinstitute.org) and the Board of Directors for FairVote (www.fairvote.org).

Raised in the Episcopal Church, Joe has served on the vestries of St. Luke’s Church and St. Aidan’s Church, both in San Francisco. He has led several stewardship campaigns.

Joe is a member of the Cherokee Nation and has served his tribe in a variety of advisory and support roles over the years. He lives in Washington, D.C.