Speakers Bureau: Jim Sanft – on leadership
The power of partnerships
It’s too easy to get caught up in the mentality of scarcity, but we have a God of Abundance! When His people come together, the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. Collaborative partnerships can be a catalyst for unleashing untapped potential. During this presentation, Jim will lead an exploration of the power of partnerships.
Leading in times of crisis
A Swedish proverb states that “Rough waters are truer tests of leadership. In calm water, every ship has a good captain.” During his tenure as CEO of Concordia Plan Services, Jim has been at the helm of the ship during the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crises and the global COVID-19 pandemic. He will share some of the lessons he gleaned as a leader during challenging times.
Jim Sanft, LLD, MS, FSA, MAAA
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jim Sanft has served as the President and CEO of Concordia Plans since 2008. In 2022, Jim was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Concordia University, Nebraska. He also holds a Master of Science in mathematics and statistics from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Bachelor of Science in education from Concordia University, Nebraska. Jim is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He serves as chair of the Church Alliance, a coalition of his peers from nearly 40 church benefit programs. This work frequently takes him to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress, regulators and other officials to discuss the issues and concerns of church benefit plans. Under Sanft's leadership, CPS has been recognized as a top workplace in St. Louis, Missouri for three consecutive years and received multiple national top workplace awards in 2023 for organization culture and for the non-profit industry.
Jim frequently shares leadership insights through speaking engagements and recently authored a book “Leading by Faith: Practical Insights for Christian Leaders” that is scheduled to be released by Concordia Publishing House in May 2024.