Our Board of Directors

The Rev. Matthew F. Heyd was called to serve as Rector of Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City during the spring of 2013. Prior to that he served as director of Faith in Action for Trinity Wall Street, supporting the Parish's engagement and partnership ministries in Lower Manhattan and around the world-- including Anglican Partnerships, support for public schools, the Charlotte's Place neighborhood center, local and global mission & service relationships, and the Trinity Grants Program. Before coming to Trinity in 2003, Matt helped start Episcopal Charities in the Diocese of New York and served as chief operating officer of a non-profit supporting service in schools across the United States. He was a Morehead Scholar and student body president at the University of North Carolina. He received a master's of arts in religion summa cum laude from Yale Divinity School and a master's of sacred theology from The General Theological Seminary. He is a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of New York. His wife, Ann Thornton, is Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Library. They have a five year-old daughter and a seventeen month old son.

On Serving CEEP: I’ve been a huge advocate and supporter of CEEP since my first conference back in 2008, the blizzard year in St. Louis. Serving on the Program Committee this year has only deepened my appreciation for the positive impact the annual conference has for participants and the parishes they serve. CEEP members are committed to a healthy and vibrant future for the Church and bring great gifts to the journey. I’m honored to join the board as CEEP continues to be a significant resource of programmatic excellence and networking opportunities.

As Director of Alumni and Church Relations at Virginia Theological Seminary, Shelagh has the delight and privilege of working with the 3,200+ alumni of VTS. She previously served for over 15 years at the College of Preachers and Washington National Cathedral, working in fundraising, communications, public events, and strategic program development. She oversaw the programmatic life and operations of the College’s residential preaching programs and other educational programs in theology, spirituality, and Christian formation. Before joining the Cathedral, she was on staff at the Association of American Colleges and Universities. She served on the Governing Board of the Washington Theological Consortium for several years including two years as Board Chair.

Serving CEEP: I’ve been a huge advocate and supporter of CEEP since my first conference back in 2008, the blizzard year in St. Louis. Serving on the Program Committee this year has only deepened my appreciation for the positive impact the annual conference has for participants and the parishes they serve. CEEP members are committed to a healthy and vibrant future for the Church and bring great gifts to the journey. I’m honored to join the board as CEEP continues to be a significant resource of programmatic excellence and networking opportunities.

The Very Rev. Stephen Carlsen , Rector and Dean, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis. Steve has served in Consortium parishes most of his ministry and participated in nearly all conferences for the past decade. Prior to Christ Church Cathedral, he was Sub-Dean at St. John's Cathedral in Denver. In Indianapolis, he serves a 175 year-old Episcopal congregation on Monument Circle, both a thriving Episcopal congregation and a church for the City of Indianapolis. Christ Church Cathedral was a founding member of the Consortium. In addition to its renown tradition of sacred music, his congregation has been active in reaching out to it neighbors, local and global. At the CEEP conference in Chicago, Steve presented on the efforts to rebuild the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port au Prince, Haiti. He also serves as a Trustee of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

Vision for CEEP: I believe that the Consortium is a vital source of help for the Episcopal Church. Founded to help churches learn to manage endowments, its mission has grown. It is now network of congregations sharing best practices in leadership, ministry, finance and outreach. Most members in CEEP come from dioceses with relatively few peer congregations. CEEP provides its members a venue for conversation and creativity. Fresh ideas, critical insight and healthy exchange fostered among our network spread to benefit not just our members but the whole Episcopal Church.

Wendy has served in church administration for over 20 years, currently at Christ Church Charlotte where she has served as Parish Administrator since 2007. Previously, she was a CPA with Ernst & Young. Wendy served on the 2012 Consortium Planning Committee (when the Consortium was hosted by Christ Church Charlotte), and has helped facilitate the Administrators’ Smart Start round-table discussions. A native Charlottean, she is a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. Go Tarheels!

What excites Wendy about CEEP: I have attended 11 conferences, and each one has provided me with valuable take-aways relating to parish administration and my personal spirituality as well as a network of fellow administrators I can turn to during the year. CEEP continues to be a vital resource for parishes of all sizes and strengthens the Church as a whole. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this important work.

Mr. George M. Plews has practiced for thirty years as a successful appellate and trial advocate. He was lead counsel in key cases that shaped Indiana insurance coverage law. George’s environmental law practice spans a range of matters including state and federal environmental statutes. George’s litigation practice includes a wide range of other complex cases, including products liability, finance, class actions, and personal injury cases. In 2009, George was named a Distinguished Barrister by the Indiana Lawyer. His yearly listings in “Best Lawyers in America” and Indiana “Super Lawyers” (for both environmental and insurance coverage law) commenced respectively in 2001 and 2004.

Vision for CEEP: I have had the privilege to serve as CEEP’s legal counsel for many years. I have seen both the wonderful practical and spiritual connections it creates in our church and how it has developed as a catalyst of constructive growth. I would be honored to be a part of CEEP’ expansion to reach out to parish and non-parish partners to grow the Kingdom.

Prior to his ministry at Holy Spirit, Luke served as rector of Church of the Heavenly Rest, Abilene, TX, and as canon and priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oklahoma City. Luke has served on the Conference Planning Committee of the Consortium. He has presented workshops on the use of technology and information management in church ministry and on successful parish capital campaigns.

Vision for CEEP: All of us who are members of the Consortium have been given a great inheritance in earthly and heavenly treasure. We have many things in common and many things to learn from one another. Sharing the ministry of Christ, preserving beautiful historic space, and teaching faithful stewardship remain priorities of the Consortium. We will continue to encourage and enable best practices that lead to the reconciliation of differences and the financial security and expansion of the church. Through shared worship, research, conversation, and collaboration the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes will continue to knit together churches that will respond to reality with intelligence, vitality, and Divine inspiration.

The Rev. Carlye J. Hughes is rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, having accepted the call in June 2012. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and Virginia Theological Seminary. Mother Carlye was a Lilly Fellow at St. James Episcopal Church, New York City, followed by rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peekskill, NY prior to serving in Fort Worth. In the Fort Worth diocese she serves on the Standing Committee and as Deputy to General Convention. She is currently serving on the Diocesan Risk Management Committee. She is married to David Smedley and their cocker spaniel Abbey can be found most Thursdays on the Trinity campus.

Why Carlye is excited about joining the CEEP Board: I am looking forward to getting to know CEEP, its goals, activities, and membership as a member of the board. I spend quite a bit of time responding to and reflecting on the needs of diversity. I cannot help but wonder about Episcopal presence as the growing diversity in our country has proven to be a challenging issue. I am interested to learn how CEEP members engage actively in the needs and demands of diverse communities? I wonder about ways we can support these efforts from settings that lack diversity or are segregated. These are conversations I am excited to engage in with CEEP members.

The Rev. Allan Johnson-Taylor is the Rector of St. Paul’s Rock Creek, Washington DC --the oldest worshiping congregation in the in the District of Columbia. He is passionate about Evangelism, Outreach, and Parish Development; and throughout his ministry he has sought to work with congregations that share his passion. In addition to parish ministry, Allan has served as a consultant to churches in the areas evangelism and church growth, stewardship, accounting, and budgeting. Allan holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Maryland, an M. Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a Th. M. from Princeton Seminary.

Why Allan is excited about serving on the CEEP Board: Allan believes the Episcopal Church is a church in transition. The rapid cultural changes occurring in our society calls for a review of the organizational structure of our church to better address and position our congregations to be more relevant and purposeful in proclamation the Gospel. Because of their unique position, CEEP congregations can be the petri dish where ideas are tested.

Miles Lackey is Senior Advisor to the Rector of Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. He joined the staff of Trinity Church in 2016 after more than two decades of public service in senior government positions in Washington, DC, including Chief of Staff to two United States Senators; as Staff Director of a Congressional Committee; and as Special Assistant to the President of the United States in the Clinton White House. He is a 1982 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a 1986 graduate of Yale Divinity School. His focus at Trinity is long-term strategic planning.

Why is Miles interested in serving on the Board of CEEP? The consortium is an extraordinary resource for the whole church, especially in the essential mission of gathering and communicating best practices. The leadership of the Board plays an important part in advancing the Consortium's mission, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve.

The Rev. Louanne Loch was born in Charleston SC and received her M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary. In 2016, she accepted a call to serve as Rector at St. Paul's by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach. In the Diocese of Florida, she was elected to the Diocesan Executive committee, chaired the convention nominating committee, and currently serves on the Board of Examining Chaplains. She also co-founded the Alatchua County Committee on interfaith relations. She also serves on the Committee on Interfaith Relations as Co-President, an organization she helped found. Her former experience included the Diocese of Marland where she served on the Standing Committee, the Ecclesastical Commitee, the Constitution and Canons Committee, the Evangelism Committee and the Committee for Jewish-Christian relations.In the Diocese of East Carolina, she served on the Standing Committee, the Finance Committee, and as a member of the Diocesan Reconciliation Committee where she served as Chaplain.

Vision for CEEP: Louanne is honored to serve on the CEEP board and looks forward to help facilitate its conference and help continue its mission of being a resource for knowledge, skills and as a facilitator of inter connectivity of parish leaders.

Suzy is the Senior Philanthropic Advisor at Hollins University. Suzy graduated from Hollins in 1974 with a BA in Art History and Spanish. Other degrees include a Certificada Filologia from Universidad de Salamanca, and an MAT in Spanish from UVA. Her career in Development includes time with The Nature Conservancy, the Pediatric Aids Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, and Campbell & Company. She spent a great deal of her professional life serving at the Washington National Cathedral as Senior Advisor for Institutional Relations, Director of both Philanthropy and Development, Director of the annual fund, and major gifts officer. Among numerous honors she has received is membership in the Honorary Order of St. John of Jerusalem, election to the Hollins University Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 1996 she was invited as commencement speaker at St. Margaret’s-McTernan School. She served on the College of Preachers Governing Board, was President of the Washington Chapter’s Chirons and Colitis Foundation, and served on the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Church Foundation and General Theological Seminary. She has also served on the United States Olympic Committee’s Speakers Bureau.

What Suzy says about the Consortium: My first meeting with the Consortium was when I was working at Washington National Cathedral and I found it to be a wonderful resource as well as a great group of leaders with whom to communicate and learn. I am honored to be affiliated with the Consortium as it continues to grow and prosper and provide important leadership to our Church.

Anne Marie serves as the 30th Rector of Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island, the first female rector in the parish’s 300+ year history. She was previously the Associate Rector of Trinity Church in Princeton, New Jersey, a call she accepted after graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2005. Anne Marie is active in the life of the Diocese of Rhode Island, having served on Diocesan Council and the Bishop’s Search and Nominating Committee, and is a long-time member of Gathering of Leaders. Before entering seminary, Anne Marie worked for several years as a lay school chaplain and teacher; was the third employee at a start-up commercial ticketing firm; and spent many years in the non-profit professional theatre world.

How did Anne Marie wind up on the CEEP Board? Leslie C. Smith, then Rector of Trinity Princeton, brought me to my first CEEP Conference in 2006, and I haven’t missed one since. For several years I served on the Conference Planning Committee, working with an amazing group of colleagues, and seeing more and more the benefits of both the annual gathering and the network of connections that continue to grow and develop through the years. I am an unabashed, though deeply imperfect, disciple of Jesus Christ, and I do believe that the Episcopal Church has great gifts to offer a broken and hurting world. I’m delighted to join the board as we work to provide opportunities to ponder together how we might best preach the ancient truth of the Gospel in a language that 21st Century ears can hear.

Anne Rudacille Schmidt is currently the Membership Coordinator at Saint Michael and All Angels, Dallas, where she focuses on creating an environment of welcome in the congregation and helping new members find their place. Anne serves as Co-Chair of the CEEP Planning Committee and has been a part of that committee for 3 years. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Forward Movement and as a facilitator for Gathering of Leaders. She was former Co-Convener of the planning team for the Evangelism Matters Conference and was Senior Warden and Stewardship Chair at Transfiguration, Dallas. Anne has consulted with several churches in rector searches and with the Diocese of the Rio Grande in their current bishop search. She enjoys time with her family, running and trying craft beers.

Why Anne is excited about being on the Board: This is an exciting time for the Board as we prepare to welcome and onboard a new Executive Director. I look forward to working with this group and shaping the direction of CEEP as it continues to work toward being an even greater resource to ours members and then challenging and equipping our members to use their talents and resources in the work of the greater church.

The Rev. Michael R. Sullivan became Kanuga’s 10th president in November 2016. A native of Seneca, South Carolina, Michael holds a Master of Divinity from The University of the South–Sewanee, Tennessee; a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of South Carolina–Columbia, South Carolina; and a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude, Wofford College–Spartanburg, South Carolina (Phi Beta Kappa). Michael is the author of two books and numerous articles. Windows into the Soul and Windows into the Light, both published by Morehouse explore the place of art in spirituality. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, fitness, hiking and writing.

Why is Michael interested in serving on the CEEP Board? No other organization has helped me professionally more than CEEP. As a resource for fundraising, endowment management, and general stewardship, there really is no other group that is as resourceful, challenging, and engaging. I always leave conference and meetings with fresh ideas and approaches that expand the concepts of leadership so imperative for shared mission in the world. I am thrilled to serve on the board as we expand our scope and reach to encompass all challenges before us.