Emma Jordan-Simpson named president of Auburn Seminary
Emma Jordan-Simpson has been named the next president of Auburn Seminary. She succeeds Katharine Henderson, who announced last year that she would be stepping down after a decade of leadership at the Presbyterian-founded institution in New York.
Jordan-Simpson comes to Auburn from the Fellowship of Reconciliation USA, where she was executive director. Prior to that, Jordan-Simpson was the executive director of the New York branch of the Children’s Defense Fund. She also serves as executive pastor at Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn.
She is currently president of the board of American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York and sits on the board of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. She was the founding executive director of Girls Inc. of New York City and has also served as executive vice president of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, the nation’s first community development corporation.
“Emma is a quiet storm whose winds sweep you safely to waters you might not have been able to imagine,” said Auburn Seminary board member Kim Anderson in a statement. “This is the time for both Auburn and Emma to build upon Katharine’s incredible legacy and step forth into new possibilities and purpose, called in new ways that continue to emerge.”
In the same statement, Jordan-Simpson called the appointment an honor.
“I am excited to find ways for Auburn to grow with care and integrity as it continues to support leaders to heal historic wounds, and move closer to the ideals of democracy where we share the responsibility of welcoming all.”
