FELICIA HOWELL LABOY

FELICIA HOWELL LABOY Trinity Christian College Diversity Lecture Series Speaker 2/12/07 Felicia is a deeply passionate minister of the gospel who is also theologian and scholar. Whether it is in her role as doctoral student and teaching assistant, or in her role as part of the ministerial team at Southlawn United Methodist Church, Felicia s work is grounded in the bottom line question: What is God calling us, individually and collectively, to do as faithful leaders of the church? In addition to her pastoral experience, Felicia has seven years of success with a Fortune 100 company and 18 years in community and professional organizations with leadership and staff expertise. She is recognized as a results-oriented team player and innovative self-starter, with extraordinary interpersonal skills and leadership skills who possesses a unique ability to bring together diverse groups to work in concert toward a shared goal. She is a subject matter expert on fostering partnerships between non-profit and forprofit organizations and in the areas of strategic planning, marketing, human resource development, and fund raising activities, with a particular expertise in start-up ventures. She also has an extensive background in developing and facilitating teambuilding and leadership development courses, and has written over 14 courses in the area of leadership development alone. Felicia is a frequent speaker on the subject of the importance of partnership between the private and public sector, especially in the area of faith-based community and economic development. She also has served as a teaching assistant in the following courses: Theology of Evangelism, Empowering the Congregation for Evangelism, Urban Church Ministry, and Systematic Theology. EDUCATION 2002 - Present Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL Ph.D. Doctoral Candidate - Theology, Ethics, History; April 2006; Expected Graduation: May 2007 Candidate Exam Areas: Systematic Theology; Black/Womanist Theology; African American Church History; Christian Ethics with an Emphasis on the connection between personal and social holiness. 2005 Certification in Evangelism, United Methodist Church, Northern Illinois Conference, June 2005 2004 Probationary Elder, United Methodist Church, Northern Illinois Conference, June 2004 1999-2001 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL Masters of Divinity, June 2001 1995 1997 Indiana Christian University, South Bend, IN

Masters of Arts in Christian Ministries, June 1997 Masters Thesis: The Biblical Directive for Empowering the Poor

1994 Carlson Learning Company Certified Professional Trainer, Spring 1994 (Teambuilding, Diversity Training and Leadership Development) 1986-1988 Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business, Durham, NC Masters of Business Administration, May 1988 (Emphasis in Marketing and Finance, with special emphasis on Entrepreneurship) 1982-1986 Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA B.S. in Business and Economics, May 1986 DISSERTATION RESEARCH Social Holiness: The Mandate of Faith-based Community and Economic Development for the Black Church Reading Committee: Dr. D. Stephen Long, chair; Dr. Kenneth L. Vaux, Dr. Larry Murphy, Dr. Linda Thomas RESEARCH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2005 Present Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL Teaching Assistant, Theology of Evangelism, Empowering the Congregation for Evangelism, Urban Church Ministry, and Systematic Theology teaching assistant. Assist professors with developing course syllabi; grading papers; lecturing; coordinating field trips and assisting students. Responsible for supervising and leading class discussion in absence of professor. For all classes have coordinated the use of electronic course management system. For Urban Church Ministry Class, developed specific module on grantwriting and fundraising for urban pastors, as well as a case study of effective pastoral leadership in urban communities. 2001 Chicago Public Schools, Afterschool Matters Tech37, Chicago, IL Lead Consultant/Instructor, Co-developed, coordinated and taught program for inner city youths principles of e-commerce, entrepreneurship and professional development skills. In addition to teaching, responsible for finding, coordinating and managing resources from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Childcare Society, Orr High School, and Chicago Public Schools to provide technology and human resources, transportation and meals. 1997 Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio

Instructor, Co-developed/facilitated summer seminar course entitled The Church and Economic Development, which many students described the course as life-changing. 1996 Learning Center for Business and Industry of the Kettering Adult School, Kettering, OH Human Resource Development Coordinator, Developed two basic courses for first line supervisors new to management, coaching and teambuilding

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Women of Color Scholars Program, 2002-2005 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Leadership Scholarship and Margaret Zee Jones, Ph.D. Scholarship, 2002-2003 Fund for Theological Education, North American Doctoral Fellow Program, 2002-2003 Kenilworth Union Church, Centennial Scholarship Award Recipient, 4-year award to student committed to serving urban community, 1999-2003 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Faust/Roop Award for Excellence in Proclamation, 2001; Quentin Nolte Prize for Promise in Parish Ministry, 2001; Myrtle Saylor Speer Award for Outstanding Women In Ministry, 2001; Leadership Scholarship and Faculty Recognition Scholarship 1999-2001 UMC General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Craig Brandenburg Scholarship, 2000 UMC General Board of Discipleship Racial Ethnic Minority Conference, Student Representative, February 2000 Women, Ministry and the City, Summer 1999; awarded full tuition scholarship; assigned to Southlawn UMC as Ministry Intern and UMC General Board of Health Benefits and Pensions, Socially Responsible Investments Area PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCE PAPERS, AND WORKING PAPERS Conference Papers Prophets With Honor: Black Theology and The Two-Church Problem in Urban America. Conference Paper and invited presentation, 2005 Midwest Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, April 2005 Hand Me Another Brick: Christian Community and Economic Development as Social Justice and Evangelism Conference Paper and invited presentation, United Methodist Church, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Women of Color Consultation/Celebration, August 2006 WORK EXPERIENCE 1995 - Present Harvest Development Corporation, Evanston, IL Founder, Managing Partner Assist private and public sector, nonprofit and church-based organizations in creating and implementing unique marketing solutions, while enhancing their relationships with employees, customers and partners. Work with the CEO/President of the Richard Allen School District, family of five charter schools in Dayton, Ohio, which are routinely recognized as some of the best-managed

charter schools in the State. Since the inception of the school district, my primary responsibilities have been to work closely with the CEO/President to develop strategic plan and materials with regard to institutional advancement including grantwriting, fund development, and the development and creation of marketing materials. Serve as a part of the Ministerial Team in the capacity of the Senior Associate Minister at Southlawn United Methodist Church by assisting Senior Pastor with pastoral and preaching responsibilities, as well as serve as a Supply Pastor for the Chicago Southern District of the Northern IL Conference. Have Developed over 24 courses in strategic planning, leadership development, teambuilding and diversity management and facilitated over 600 hours in training. Served as Fund Development Assistant and helped coordinate reporting activities for the Association of Theological Schools accreditation for Payne Theological Seminary in 2003.

2006 - Present Maple Park United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL Senior Pastor Provide vision, leadership and direction for all church activities Responsible for pastoral care and for developing worship, Bible study and devotional programs which meet the spiritual needs of 225 + member urban congregation. Supervise church staff of 8 which includes an assistant pastor, permanent deacon, 2 deaconesses and persons called to the ministry Develop leadership and teambuilding skills in church members Serve as primary liaison between church, community, conference and denominational organizations. Raise money and in-kind support over church budget through writing grants and by building relationships and partnerships with church, nonprofit and governmental entities 2000-2004 Mandell United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL Senior Pastor Provided vision, leadership and direction for all church activities Responsible for pastoral care and for developing worship, Bible study and devotional programs which meet the spiritual needs of 100+ member urban congregation. Mentored two Field Education Masters level students for Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Develop leadership and teambuilding skills in church members Served as primary liaison between church, community, conference and denominational organizations. Raised $60,000 over church budget in money and in-kind support through writing grants and by building relationships and partnerships with church, nonprofit and governmental entities 2000-2004 West Ridge United Methodist Church, Chicago, IL Student Pastor Youth and Young Adults Developed programs targeted at meeting the spiritual and social needs of children, youth and young adults.

Assist senior pastor in meeting the spiritual needs of a 55- member congregation, which included preaching, teaching Bible study and providing pastoral care Representative to multi-racial, ethnic, religious, denominational organization in the Rogers Park area. Worked on strategies to promote peace and racial, ethnic, and religious dialog, interaction and community among the most multicultural area in Chicago. 2000-2004 Dayton Electronic Commerce Resource Center (DECRC), Chicago, IL Business Case Specialist Responsible for coordinating and defining all DECRC activity (marketing, promotion, "sales," training and technical support) in IL. Worked with Small Business Development Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and other groups focused on meeting the needs of small business owners to provide training and technical support to assist entrepreneurs in conducting business over the Internet with the federal government and with other corporate suppliers. 1988-1995 NCR Corporation Public Relations & Associate Information Community Relations Specialist January - November, 1995 Promoted, facilitated and measured 1995 employee volunteerism throughout the corporation to increase employee satisfaction and corporate citizenship. Facilitated all community projects that support the NCR diversity strategy. Managed company involvement with our local school partner by coordinating GIS human and financial support resources. Application Development Environment (ADE) Business Unit Marketing Support Manager 1993-1995 Team Manager: responsible for all application productrelated trade shows, customer presentations, direct marketing programs, and sales support. Led team to develop promotion plans and marketing materials for all ADE products; resulted in enhanced promotion of current and new products.

Worked on cross-organizational teams to develop new marketing/packaging programs that reposition current products and services. Created integrated customer solutions and facilitated selling process resulting in increased product penetration into key customer accounts. Senior Product Manager 1991-1993 Led two cross-organizational teams to develop new product/marketing programs for consulting services products, and reposition existing product lines. Developed and provided sales support and training for over 40 domestic and international sales and support professionals, enhancing their product understanding and skill development 1989-1991 Group Leader/Financial Planning Analyst, Northeast Division Established strategic planning center for the Northeast Sales Division for senior managers that enhanced the forecasting and pricing capability of our salesforce. Supported two Area Sales Vice Presidents with revenue responsibility of $120 million. Responsible for budget analysis, best estimates, pricing and territory management. Provided business management training on gross margin and cost control for 40 East Coast District Sales Managers. Also provided individual support on pricing, budgets, and proposal analysis.