Leadership Changes Mark Milestone Year for the Foundation
BATON ROUGE, LA – The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana is pleased to announce the election of three new members to its Board of Trustees: Rev. Katie Black, Brent Graham, and Dr. Van Stinson. Their three-year terms will begin on June 1, 2025.
Rev. Katie Black is the senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Houma. Brent Graham is a financial advisor based in Baton Rouge. Dr. Van Stinson serves as the Executive Director of Mission and Ministry and Assistant to the Bishop for the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The new trustees were elected during the Foundation’s Board of Trustees meeting held on April 23, 2025, a day that also marked a special celebration of the Foundation’s 50 years of service and ministry to the Louisiana Conference.
The meeting included a transition in board leadership. Bobby Fahey relinquished his role as Chair of the Board to Rev. Jo Ann Cooper, senior pastor at Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur. Rev. Drew Sutton, senior pastor at St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, was elected Vice Chair; Val Lavigne, a member of Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church was elected Secretary, Bob Kimbro, a member of Gretna United Methodist Church, was elected Investment Chair; and Rev. Mimi McDowell, who serves Gilliam United Methodist Church and Northpoint United Methodist Church of Shreveport, was elected Grants Chair.
As the Foundation welcomes new leadership, it also offers deep gratitude to the trustees who are rotating off the board:
Omer Davis, who has served on and off the board since 2001, including terms as Board Chair and Investment Chair.
Sandra Kuykendall, a board member since 2009, has faithfully served most of her tenure as Secretary.
Dianne Wilkinson, who completed nine years of service, including a role on the grants committee.
Located in Baton Rouge, the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana was founded in 1975 and serves United Methodist churches, institutions and individuals through planned giving education, financial management, loans and grants. It is one of the largest United Methodist Foundations in the denomination, with $247 million in assets under management.
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