Debbie Whaley
Cincinnati,OH
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience guiding and managing staff and volunteers to achieve mission-driven objectives. Recognized for fostering team success through exceptional communication skills and strategic planning initiatives. A strong advocate for spiritual wisdom and compassionate responsiveness, dedicated to building collaborative teams and effectively resolving conflicts. Committed to creating an inclusive environment that empowers individuals to thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Staff
Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church
01.2017 - Current
- 500+member church in suburban/urban context. Responsibilities include supervising 10 staff members (including one clergy) and providing leadership for the Session and various ministry teams, such as adult formation, worship, leadership development, and personnel. Duties also include preaching, developing sermon series, writing and teaching curriculum for discipleship classes, and providing pastoral care.
Interim Head of Staff
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
01.2015 - 01.2017
- 900+ member church located in the heart of Silicon Valley in a suburban context. Responsibilities include preaching, supervising, and overseeing 13 staff members (including one clergy) and the Session, planning worship services, leading adult discipleship, and coordinating outreach ministry teams.
Associate Pastor for Community Life
First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
01.2001 - 01.2015
- Culturally diverse 1700+ member church located next to the University of California within a large urban context. Responsibilities included preaching, worship planning, curriculum development for adult classes, direct supervision of 5 paid staff members (including one clergy), and oversight of the compassion and hospitality ministries, which involved coordinating and developing over 150 volunteers.
Teaching Assistant
San Francisco Theological Seminary
01.1997 - 01.2001
- For MDiv courses in Systematic Theology and Spirituality. Served as Leadership Coordinator for two Seminary-sponsored mission trips to China.
Pastoral Intern
Pt. Reyes and San Geronimo Presbyterian Churches
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Two yoked churches with combined memberships of less than 200 in a rural/tourist context. Served as solo pastor for both churches for 9 months when the intern supervisor vacated the position.
Evangelism Specialist
First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Created and taught weekend evangelism seminars to train 2000+ members in relational evangelism techniques.
Education
Master of Divinity -
San Francisco Theological Seminary
San Anselmo, CA05-2001
Skills
- - Preaching and Worship Leadership
- - Spiritual Maturity
- - Change Agent
- - Culturally Procient
- - Willingness to Engage Conict
- - Organizational Agility
- - Strategy and Vision
- - Collaboration
- - Interpersonal Engagement
- - Motivator
Timeline
Head of Staff
Mt. Washington Presbyterian Church
01.2017 - Current
Interim Head of Staff
Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
01.2015 - 01.2017
Associate Pastor for Community Life
First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
01.2001 - 01.2015
Pastoral Intern
Pt. Reyes and San Geronimo Presbyterian Churches
01.1999 - 01.2000
Teaching Assistant
San Francisco Theological Seminary
01.1997 - 01.2001
Evangelism Specialist
First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
01.1996 - 01.1997
Master of Divinity -
San Francisco Theological Seminary
Other Service to the Church
2001-Present Retreat Speaker, Guest Preacher, Pilgrimage Leader. Design custom educational and spiritual experiences and presentations in the areas of spiritual formation, leadership development, caring in cross-cultural settings, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have led over 18 groups on spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land and am currently leading trips to Greece and Turkey, following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.