December 10, 2015, Indianapolis − Disciples Church Extension Fund and Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are pleased to announce that Jennifer R. Gallagher, C.P.A. will join the ministries as Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2016. In this position, she will provide strategic leadership to all aspects of the ministries’ financial operations that help mobilize capital and related leadership resources for congregational mission, by providing capital loans, fundraising, investment opportunities and other mission-focused financial services. These operations include accounting, financial planning, budget process, risk management, cash management, accounts payable, audits, loans and investments − all of which play a role in ensuring the overall and enduring financial health of the organizations.
A certified public accountant licensed in Indiana, Jennifer has spent the last 16 years with the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, first as their controller, and most recently as their chief financial officer and director of Financial Services. In her leadership position with the Indiana Conference, she applied her expertise and experience in financial planning, technical accounting, change management, financial performance measurement and more to her work. She was also deeply involved in investment management; the Conference’s loan activities and property insurance program; board development; developing internal controls and fraud prevention resources for local congregations; and cost-sharing initiatives for Conference churches, to name a few activities. Prior to her time with the Conference, she worked for accounting firms in Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in accounting and finance from the University of Pittsburgh.
“Disciples Church Extension Fund is eager to have Jennifer join us,” says Rick Reisinger, president. “Her thorough knowledge and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, as well as her experience in and appreciation for not-for-profit and fund accounting, will help us ensure that our organizational and financial priorities are implemented at the highest level.” Hope Partnership President Gilberto Collazo adds, “We are particularly pleased that Jennifer has years of experience in working with Church-related entities, from the congregation to the Church-wide organization. Her appreciation of the connection between finance and mission, especially as they apply to leadership development, will enable her to serve our ministries as a problem-solver and trusted strategic advisor.”
Jennifer will commute from Bloomington, Ind., where she and her family reside.