2026 Board of Directors

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry Board of Directors is made up of  three representatives from each  of our  six partner  dioceses.  The dean of BKSM as well as the bishops of all four dioceses have seat and voice, but no vote.

 Additionally, beginning in 2024, each diocese has pledged to include representation from all three orders of ministry: lay, deacon and priest.

Meeting four time a year, the Board is responsible for  overseeing the life of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry as well as the work of the  school’s dean and faculty.


Diocese of Iowa
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Ex officio                            
Ms. Deb Leksell, treasure & lay rep
The Rev. Greta Muller Levis, deacon rep
The Rev. Canon Kathleen Milligan, priest rep

Diocese of Kansas
The Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascom, Ex officio                            
The Ven. Jim Cummins,  deacon rep
The Rev. Canon Lisa Senuta                         , secretary             & priest rep
Ms. Michelle Garcia, lay rep & vice chair
 
Diocese of Missouri
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Ex officio                                 
vacant, lay rep
The Rev. Dr. Paula Hartsfield,   deacon rep 
 vacant, priest rep

Diocese of Nebraska
The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Ex officio                                
Mr. Mark Clark, lay rep & chair
The Rev. Canon Liz Easton, priest rep                                                  
The Rev. Rebecca Smith,  deacon rep
                        
 Diocese of West Missouri
The Rt. Rev. Amy Daffler Meaux, Ex officio                                    
Ms. Carmen Kynard-Krasick, lay rep                        
The Rev. Donna Stanford,   deacon rep
The Rev. Canon Anne Kyle, priest rep

 Diocese of Western Kansas
The Rt. Rev. Mark Cowell, Ex officio                                   
Ms. Sara Kirkhart, lay rep
The Rev. Scott Mentzer, deacon rep
The Rt. Rev. Michael Milliken, priest rep

Highlights of Board Actions 2024-25

  • In addition to the existing Executive Committee and Finance Committee, the Board approved the creation of the following standing committees: Curriculum Committee, Program Committee, Fundraising Committee, and Planning and Marketing Committee.
  • The Bylaws were changed to provide that each diocese would have one person, who does not have to be a Board member, appointed to the Finance Committee.
  • Payroll processing was outsourced, and payroll deposits converted to ACH deposits.
  • The Very Rev. Dr. Don Compier retired as Dean effective August 1, 2024.  A retirement celebration was held in September for Dean Emeritus Don.  The Ven. Monte Giddings was called as Interim Dean, and the Very Rev. Casey Rohleder was called as Interim Assistant Dean for Formation and Pastoral Care.  A Dean Search Committee was appointed with representation from each sponsoring diocese.  
  • Dr. Lynne Moss Bahr was called as the third Dean of BKSM effective July 1, 2025.  A Celebration of New Ministry of Dr. Lynne Moss Bahr as Dean of BKSM will be held at Grace Cathedral, Topeka, Kansas, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • A budget amendment was approved to fund participation in Iona Collaborative, which would permit current BKSM students and BKSM graduates to participate in Iona Collaborative online or residential classes.
  • The Iowa contingent of the BKSM Board received approval of a GILEAD grant for BKSM in the Diocese of Iowa to create opportunities for the education of lay leadership for ministry.
  • The purchase and implementation of a fundraising/communications platform was approved.

Highlights of Board Actions: 2022-2024

Changes requiring revision of bylaws
  • Inclusion of two additional dioceses as sponsors
    • Diocese of Missouri
    • Diocese of Iowa
  • Increase board representation to three from each diocese
  • Asked dioceses to appoint a presbyter, deacon, and lay person if possible as representatives
  • Revised board terms to three years
  • Changed our fiscal year to calendar year
  • Changed the dean’s status to ex officio, voice but no vote
 
Other changes
  • Celebrated BKSM’s 10th Anniversary
  • Requested and received increased annual contributions from original four dioceses
  • Appealed and obtained tax-free status under the national church’s authority so we can buy materials and equipment tax-free
  • Revision of property usage agreements with the Diocese of Kansas and Grace Cathedral
  • Moved to remote board attendance meetings for those not able to come in-person to Topeka
  • Moved our banking to Commerce Bank to eliminate fees
  • Began process of evaluating the dean’s performance annually (at his request)
  • Increased dean’s compensation to amount comparable to other similar education organizations
  • Increased administrative person to 20 hrs from 10 hrs
  • Renamed Classroom 1 to Larry Bingham Classroom (founder)