The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology announces transitions within its Board of Trustees. Shannon Eckmann will replace Mike Anderson as Board Chair as he steps down after serving on the board for ten years, eight as Board Chair. Dr. Dave Brandt and Mark Daley, members of the board for ten and four years respectively will also transition from their board membership as the school enters a new fiscal year. The school also welcomes Romanita Hairston, who previously served as a board member for two terms, back to the Board of Trustees.
“I am abundantly grateful to Mike Anderson for leading our board over the past eight years. His tenure of board leadership has helped to stabilize us as we have embarked on the task of growing into a mature organization. I also want to express my deep gratitude to Dave Brandt and Mark Daley, who both made immeasurable contributions to our school in ways that we will appreciate years into our future,” said Dr. J. Derek McNeil, President of The Seattle School.
“The Seattle School’s Board of Trustees is an amazing group of people that I will miss rubbing shoulders with. Passing the baton of leadership to Shannon Eckmann is a true delight. She is a natural in the role of Board Chair, and I trust her to lead this community into the next season,” said Mike Anderson on Shannon Eckmann’s recent appointment. In addition to her role as Board Chair, Shannon serves as an Executive Coach at Building Champions, an executive coaching organization.
Upon her recent appointment, Shannon stated, “Good leaders are guided by a passion for their organization and its people. I’ve spent many years with The Seattle School and love the mission of what we strive to accomplish along with the gifted faculty and staff who deliver a quality experience to our students. Partnering with our Board of Trustees and our President, Dr. McNeil, we look to the future of Christian graduate education as an exciting and challenging task, and we are up for it!”
Though stepping down from the board, Mike Anderson begins a full-time position with The Seattle School as Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration. “As I look forward to having more time with Mike in his full-time role on our staff, I am particularly grateful for his leadership and the strength and stability that he brings to the realms of finance and administrative business in our institution. I have always highly valued Mike’s investment in our mission, and I am honored to work with him as we build for The Seattle School’s future,” said Dr. J. Derek McNeil.
Romanita Hairston, a returning trustee to the board, serves as a Director at Microsoft with responsibility for leading a global skilling portfolio and as the President and Founder of MORE320, a nonprofit consulting company. A nationally-recognized thought leader, Romanita regularly speaks on issues related to poverty and child well-being, missional theology and spiritual formation, and the future of work and learning.
“It’s wonderful to have Romanita Hairston return to The Seattle School’s Board of Trustees,” said Dr. J. Derek McNeil. “She is thoughtful, energetic, innovative, and incisive. Romanita understands future trends and will bring a new perspective on how adult learners can be approached and engaged. Her entrepreneurial energy paired with pastoral awareness makes Romanita an invaluable asset to our Board.”
Visit our directory to see a list of all members of the Board of Trustees.