Heather brings over 25 years of leadership as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, where she earned degrees in Math and Religion and later received her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary. She has served congregations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including 12 years as Senior Pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Her leadership is rooted in a steadfast commitment to nurturing faith and building community, driven by creativity, collaboration, innovation, and the empowerment of others for meaningful service.

Pastor Heather grew up on a family farm near Pine River, Minnesota, where she milked cows, broke horses, and worked alongside her parents and siblings. Her deep connection to God’s creation grew during her summers on staff at Christikon, when she was introduced to backpacking, which led to years of mountaineering, rock climbing, and ice climbing.

Pastor Heather is inspired by the opportunity to lead and serve a community that has profoundly shaped her life and ministry. The Call Committee and Board of Directors recognized in Pastor Heather a deep commitment and excitement for the rich traditions and values that make Christikon such a special place for faith, adventure, and connection. Pastor Heather has expressed a strong desire to work with board members, staff, congregations, and the greater Christikon community to lead Christikon through the challenges facing the larger church and into an unknown but Christ-centered future.