Our Story

The Karpenko Institute for Nurturing and Developing Leadership Excellence (KINDLE) is a Lutheran organization founded in 2000. The mission of this non-profit can be summed up in these words: 

Mission Statement
KINDLE fosters and multiplies Christ-like servant leaders to enhance the ministry of congregations in their communities and the world. 

What is a Christ-like servant leader?
The more you see yourself as a precious child of God who is a Christ-like servant leader in your areas of influence, the more you can help others to…

  • Celebrate their Baptismal identity (restored, gifted, called);

  • Grow more Christ-like, manifesting the grace-filled marks of obedience, well-being, leadership, and community; and

  • Foster and multiply generations of Christ-like servant leaders in their congregations, homes, workplaces, communities, and the world.

These three phrases capture KINDLE’s definition of a Christ-like servant leader.

KINDLE infuses 2nd chair ministry leaders with an organized approach to life that cultivates faith and health and trains individuals to develop leaders around them. KINDLE’s “DNA” a set of four strands and 20 practices, is designed to develop the attitudes, knowledge areas, and skills of a Christ-like servant leader. 

Check out KINDLE’s Latest Annual Report

2024-25 Annual Report

Join KINDLE in prayer!

Oct - Dec Prayer Calendar

Our Team

  • Julia Heinz

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Julia works with the staff, volunteers, and Board of Directors to achieve KINDLE’s vision and mission by building a strong financial and operational foundation that strengthens the existing base of supporters and volunteers while developing program services, relationships, and sources of income to fund the ministry.  She lives in East Dundee, Illinois.

  • Diane Schuessler

    EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR

    Diane coordinates KINDLE’s program initiatives and works with KINDLE’s operational teams. She lives in Bloomington, Minnesota.

  • Emily Phoenix

    PROGRAM & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

    Emily is active in the exploration and expansion of KINDLE programs and resources to more effectively engage an expanding audience of second-chair ministry leaders and the growing KINDLE community. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • Diane Junge

    TREASURER

    Diane is a Certified Public Accountant who lives in Overland Park, Kansas.

Board Members

Front Row: Mary Stafford-Nunez, Rhonda Mohr, Rehema Kavugha 

Second Row: Lyle Heggemeier, Greg Karpenko, Dean Nadasdy, Elvin Harms (President), Jim Curran, David Meier

Not Pictured: Sue von Fange (Secretary), Cheri Selander

KINDLE’s Board of Directors is made up of Christ-like servant leaders committed to its mission
and core values.