Eden Theological Seminary is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker as the new director of the Walker Leadership Institute, effective August 1, 2024. By action of the Faculty and Board of Trustees, Dr. Wise Baker has been reappointed to the faculty as Assistant Professor of Community Leadership and, in that role, appointed as director of the Walker Leadership Institute.
Currently, Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Community Engagement and Director of Contextual Education, Rev. Dr. Baker is also the founding director of the Center for Lived Faith and Organizing at Eden. She brings to the Walker Leadership Institute position a wealth of experience, skills, and a profound commitment to empowering leaders in congregations, organizations, and the community as agents of social transformation. She has expertise in community organizing and in fostering congregational and organizational vitality.
Locally, Dr. Wise Baker has been a leader in the work of Episcopal City Mission, and Liberation Christian Church. Nationally, she has provided leadership for the National Benevolent Association (Disciples of Christ). In her current community work she launched the When Black Women Lead project, organizing local and state candidates, elected officials and voters. She also has been a presenter and preacher at many workshops, conferences, and services of worship.
As the new Director of the Walker Leadership Institute at Eden, she will continue to advance the Institute’s mission of identifying, training, and supporting leaders committed to the Common Good by continuing her work to create transformational programs that prepare the community and the church for social justice engagement.
“We are thrilled that Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker is becoming the next director of the Walker Leadership Institute,” said Dr. Deborah Krause, President of Eden Seminary. “Her dynamic leadership and deep commitment to faith and justice align perfectly with Eden’s vision and the work of the Institute to promote the common good. We are excited to see her build upon the solid foundation laid by Rev. Steve Lawler and to work together to connect WLI’s programs to Eden’s emerging strategic plan.”
Rev. Dr. Baker expressed her hope as the new Assistant Professor of Community Leadership and for the work of the Walker Leadership going forward. “I am looking forward to developing deeper relationships with our network, surfacing our current needs to build vital and sustainable communities as sites for social transformation, while we nurture leaders who want to change the world!”
Rev. Dr. Baker succeeds Rev. Steve Lawler, the founding director of the Walker Leadership Institute, who is retiring after eight years of growing the Institute’s work of Leadership for the Common Good. During Rev. Lawler’s tenure, the Institute has offered course work, seminars, lectures, and workshops for congregational leaders, as well as special programs for community and nonprofit leaders. He will continue to collaborate in the Walker Leadership Institute programs of NEXT Steps and Praxis and provide support to Dr. Wise Baker as she transitions to her new role.
