WASHINGTON — Lutheran Services in America announced today that Alesia Frerichs has been selected as its next president and CEO. For the past eight years, Frerichs has served as vice president of member engagement at Lutheran Services in America, a national network of 300 Lutheran health and human services organizations that reaches one in 50 people in the United States each year.
Frerichs succeeds Charlotte Haberaecker, who will retire on January 31 after leading the organization for more than 10 years. Frerichs’ selection as president and CEO concludes a rigorous 10-month nationwide search by the Lutheran Services in America board of directors with the support of the executive search firm WittKieffer that included a competitive field of well-qualified candidates. Frerichs will assume her new position on February 1.
“Alesia’s years of leadership and deep knowledge of our network demonstrate her exceptional qualifications to lead this organization into the future,” said Darrell Gordon, chairperson of the Lutheran Services in America board of directors. “The board has the utmost confidence that she will take the organization to new heights in the years to come.”
The board unanimously elected Frerichs, citing her integrity, strategic vision and passion for the critical role that the Lutheran Services in America network plays in empowering people to lead their best lives.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead this incredible network of Lutheran health and human services organizations, alongside strategic partners, that address some of the most difficult challenges facing our communities. I am grateful for Charlotte’s decade of leadership and value her achievements in growing the impact of Lutheran Services in America,” said Frerichs. “I’m thrilled to build on a strong foundation to advance our mission and champion Lutheran social ministry.”
“Alesia’s passion and commitment to empowering people and communities across the country is unparalleled,” said Haberaecker. “She is a fearless advocate for our work and will bring an extraordinary mix of talent, innovation and experience to the job. I look forward to seeing the impact she will have in advancing our mission under her visionary leadership in 2023 and beyond.”
In her role as vice president of member engagement, Frerichs serves as the chief strategist for the network’s collaboration and innovation efforts. During her tenure, Alesia launched several groundbreaking initiatives, including the Results Innovation Lab, Rural Aging Action Network, Reimagining Diversity Collaborative and other programs that connect national partners with social sector leaders and empower older adults, children, families and others experiencing need. Her efforts brought together member organizations with thought partners and fostered the unique bond of trust members have through fellowship in a strong community of faith.
“Alesia is a proven leader with a long track record of driving transformative change in her two decades of leadership experience,” said Colleen Frankenfield, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey, who also serves as vice chairperson of the Lutheran Services in America board of directors and co-chair of the executive search committee. “I have no doubt that her expertise will build on the strong foundation developed by Charlotte and elevate our national network to increase awareness and impact.”
Prior to joining Lutheran Services in America, Frerichs was an entrepreneur who launched and led an independent consulting practice for 10 years, providing strategic management support to nonprofit executives. She also held senior leadership positions at MCI WorldCom and Sapere Consulting. She currently serves on the board of Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing and the Lutheran Financial Managers Association and is a member of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C. Frerichs earned an M.S. in statistics from The George Washington University and a B.S. in economics from St. Olaf College.
About Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America is a national network of 300 Lutheran health and human services organizations that reaches one in 50 people in America each year. Recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s top nonprofit organizations, the Lutheran Services in America network operates with more than $23 billion in combined annual revenue. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Lutheran Services in America leads innovative collaborations with partners in philanthropy, academia, healthcare and others to address the most critical challenges in our communities and empower people to lead their best lives.
To learn more, visit lutheranservices.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
