Rev. Julie Richardson to Join Pension Fund Staff

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The Reverend Julie E. Richardson will join Pension Fund’s staff as Assistant Vice President for Development on January 1, 2019. In her new role, Rev. Richardson will help to shape Pension Fund’s development strategy and donor campaigns. Most recently, she served as the Development Associate at Lexington Theological Seminary and as the Development Manager at Eastern Area Community Ministries (Louisville, Ky.). Julie has a Master of Divinity from Lexington Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Berry College in Georgia.

Rev. Richardson has been serving congregations and institutions affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since she began her studies at Lexington Theological Seminary. She spent the first 15 years of her ministry serving in youth and young adult ministry in congregations in Georgia and Kentucky, as well as on the regional staff of the Christian Church in Indiana.

Rev. Richardson shared in her interview that she has personally benefited from the transformative power of generosity. "I'm so grateful for this chance to engage with the donors that have made Pension Fund the thriving ministry that it is today.”

“Julie has the experience, compassion, and passion we are looking for to help us continue to build our donor base which provides critical funding to Ministerial Relief and Assistance programs,” shared Emily Frische, Chief Marketing Officer. “I am excited to have her join our team and the mission we serve.” In 2017, Ministerial Relief and Assistance distributed over $1.8MM in support for active clergy and retirees.

“We intentionally created this additional position to cultivate the next generation of donors and to expand our outreach to current donors. Julie stood out as the top candidate given her training, work experience, and relational network in the Christian Church,” said Todd A. Adams, Pension Fund’s ninth Chief Executive. “We are fortunate to bring someone to our staff, whose own story, connects deeply with our mission and who will work faithfully with Rev. Ruth Chavez-Wallace during a multi-year transition.”

Rev. Wallace, Vice President for Development will continue in her current role, focusing on the creation of the Ira Chase Society. The Ira Chase Society will recognize and work with legacy donors with Pension Fund’s Ministerial Relief and Assistance in their estate plans. Ministerial Relief and Assistance will celebrate 125 years of supporting clergy in 2020. Rev. Wallace plans to retire sometime after the 125th anniversary.

Rev. Richardson and her daughter Madeleine will continue to reside in Louisville, Ky., along with their adopted hound, Skye.