Clare Lewis named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program

PILP’s current Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing was the Board’s unanimous choice to lead the Program

by Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program | Special to Presbyterian News Service

Clare Lewis

LOUISVILLE — The Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program, Inc., is excited to announce that Ruling Elder Clare Lewis has been selected as PILP’s new President and Chief Executive Officer. Lewis is currently the Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for the Investment & Loan Program.

Lewis will succeed James Rissler, who announced his retirement earlier this year.  Rissler has been with the Program for nearly 25 years, including the last nine years as President and Chief Executive Officer.

“I am thrilled that Clare has been named to lead the Investment & Loan Program. I have had the opportunity to work alongside her the past five years during my time on the Board and have been consistently impressed with her strategic thinking, humble leadership style, and love for the Church and the Program,” said Ruling Elder Nathan Anderson, chair of PILP’s Board of Directors. “Her deep understanding of the intricacies of the Program’s operations and regulatory environment and the connectional nature of the Church will equip her to continue the growth of the Program for years to come. I’m excited to see what Clare will accomplish.”

Lewis is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Prior to joining the Program, she spent seven years in the Congregational Ministries Publishing division of the Presbyterian Mission Agency as a publisher and executive editor. Lewis is a ruling elder at Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

“In stepping into this role, I am keenly aware of the significant legacy left by those who preceded me,” Lewis states. “The expertise and unwavering commitment of past leaders have elevated the Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program to be a vital agency for the denomination.  Property issues stand as a pivotal concern for our churches and mid councils in today’s landscape. Nevertheless, congregations are showcasing remarkable creativity and innovation in reimagining the use of church campuses to further ministry and mission objectives.”

Lewis’ selection follows a nationwide search that was led by BoardWalk Consulting, an executive search firm that specializes in nonprofits and foundations. The Board’s search committee was led by Ruling Elder Jesse Hite. “Our search committee is very pleased that Clare has accepted our offer to lead the Investment & Loan Program as its next President and Chief Executive Officer,” Hite said. “We know that she will bring the same strong commitment to the organization that she has demonstrated in her past leadership roles.”

Reflecting on the search process, Hite said, “BoardWalk Consulting presented our search committee with several outstanding potential candidates for the President and CEO position. We felt that Clare presented the best understanding of the PILP program, its mission and the environment in which it operates. Her demonstrated understanding of the organization and how it works will allow her to build on past successes and prepare for a strong future in a changing environment. For these reasons she was our unanimous choice for the position.”

“As I accept the privilege of serving as the new President and CEO, I am inspired by the incredible potential within our organization,” Lewis said. “Recognizing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, I am committed to fostering a culture of innovation and transparency. With a continued focus on collaboration with our mid councils, churches and other denominational entities, I am humbled and excited to serve the denomination alongside our dedicated staff and board of directors.”

Lewis will officially assume her new position on Dec. 22.