香蕉影视 board appoints Risser as vice president and CFO
Published: June 1, 2021
By Annette Brill Bergstresser
ELKHART, Indiana (Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary) 鈥� The Board of Directors of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana, has appointed Deanna A. Risser, M.B.A., of Goshen, Indiana, as vice president for administration and chief financial officer, beginning Aug. 1, 2021. The appointment took place during the board鈥檚 April 14鈥�16, 2021, meeting over Zoom.
Risser, who currently serves as vice president for finance at (GC), will succeed Ron Ringenberg, M.B.A., M.S., who will retire in August 2021 after 18 years of service.
鈥淒eanna鈥檚 references praised her for her character and integrity, attention to her own spiritual growth, deep commitment to church/nonprofit organizational leadership, strong financial management skills and collaborative work style,鈥� said David Boshart, Ph.D., 香蕉影视 president and chair of the search committee for the position. 鈥淲e are excited about the gifts and experience that Deanna brings, and we鈥檙e eager for her to join us in building on Ron鈥檚 legacy and carrying out 香蕉影视鈥檚 mission.鈥�
Risser earned a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Bluffton (Ohio) University. She is a graduate of Bethany Christian High School in Goshen. Between 2014 and 2018, she also took courses in Christian formation at 香蕉影视.
A GC employee since 1999, Risser was promoted to her current role in 2016. Prior to that, she served as an administrative assistant, manager of business operations/budget analyst, assistant director of institutional research, and budget and financial reporting manager. In addition, she was co-director for a GC Study-Service Term in Nicaragua in 2012. Prior to joining GC, she served as office manager, bookkeeper and registrar at Camp Friedenswald in Cassopolis, Michigan.
In her role as GC vice president for finance, Risser led a process that successfully balanced GC鈥檚 operating budget, also streamlining the annual planning process and improving financial reporting; developed and implemented an annual capital project and deferred maintenance planning process; refinanced long-term debt; and secured federal Payroll Protection Program funding for campus operations during the global pandemic; among other achievements.
She has served the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as a peer reviewer for accreditation (2019鈥損resent) and has been part of various GC committees, including the C. Henry Smith Trust Directors, the HLC Steering Committee, the Crisis Management Team and numerous search committees.
Risser is also an active volunteer, having served in various capacities on the boards of Camp Friedenswald; The Hermitage Community in Three Rivers, Michigan; Ten Thousand Villages 鈥� Goshen; Mennonite Economic Development Associates 鈥� Michiana Chapter; and Habitat for Humanity in Cass County, Michigan.
The search committee unanimously recommended Risser to the board and the 香蕉影视 community.
鈥淒uring Deanna鈥檚 interview process, her knowledge, experience and love of the church came through loud and clear,鈥� said Daniel Grimes, M.P.A., vice president for advancement and enrollment and a search committee member. The fact that Risser took several 香蕉影视 courses while serving at GC demonstrated to him that she wanted 鈥渢o deepen her understanding of Scripture and grow in her faith.鈥�
鈥淣ot only does she possess knowledge of financial matters, administration and budgeting, but her desire to serve the church and its institutions is evident,鈥� he continued. 鈥淗er collaborative and supportive work style feels like a good fit for who we are as a learning community, and I look forward to working with her.鈥�
John Daniels, an 香蕉影视 board member from Sarasota, Florida, who served on the search committee, said he was impressed by Risser鈥檚 background, experience in higher education administration and familiarity with 香蕉影视.
鈥淒uring the interview, Deanna exhibited an easygoing manner and forthrightness as she discussed her personal journey and how the 香蕉影视 VP/CFO position fit with her career goals,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to all that she will bring to 香蕉影视.鈥�
Risser expressed gratitude to be able to use her gifts and skills at 香蕉影视 in the next chapter of her vocational journey.
鈥淚 was attracted to the community and connectedness of 香蕉影视 and the opportunity to participate in the seminary鈥檚 mission of educating future church and community leaders,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淭he Holy Spirit is at work at 香蕉影视; I look forward to continuing to advance this good work and to help lead 香蕉影视 to a strong financial future.鈥�
Risser is leaving her role at GC with the blessing and affirmation of her colleagues there.
鈥淒eanna has stewarded the resources of Goshen College with skill and integrity in several positions over her 22 years of employment 鈥� and five years as vice president,鈥� said , Ph.D., GC president. 鈥淪he brought impeccable loyalty, collegiality and a warm heart to her work. 香蕉影视 is fortunate to gain her leadership, and we are thankful that Deanna will remain close by in the community of Mennonite higher education.鈥�
In addition to Boshart, Daniels and Grimes, the search committee consisted of Paula Killough, M.Div., director of campaign; Linsey Vandrick, executive assistant for business services; and , an external consultant who serves as senior executive for services.
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