We are excited to announce that Ms. Jackie McLeod will join the staff of Christ Church starting Sunday, March 19th. Be sure to bring something for our coffee hour reception that Sunday as we want to give her a warm welcome.
Jackie is a seminarian in formation for the vocational diaconate (to serve as a Deacon, the oldest order of the church, and a full and equal one to the priesthood). As part of her preparation, she will partner with Mother Diana in worship, outreach, pastoral response, and formation. Jackie is currently serving at her home parish of St. Mark’s Teaneck.
Jackie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Education from New York University and a Master’s of Public Health Degree from Columbia University School of Public Health. She has also received numerous certificates in Leadership Development, Program Development, Volunteerism and Organizational Management.
Jackie served as the Executive Director of Healing Communities Network (HCN) June 2010 to October 1, 2021, and now as a consultant. HCN is a prison re-entry program for the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated that addressed issues of trauma and successful re-integration into the community. The program empowers individuals to direct their own rehabilitation in support groups that built self-esteem and a sense of community. HCN has operated six New York State prisons for 40+ years.
Jackie previously worked for 20 years as a professional fundraiser for national, state and local organizations as Executive Vice President of Financial Development. She held positions at The American Lung Association, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic and A Better Chance and the YWCA of Bergen County. She has effectively developed and implemented programs to meet emerging community needs in health and education. She has taught Health Education courses at St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY, Montclair University, Montclair, NJ and Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ.
Jackie is the widow of Rev. Dr. Lonnie McLeod and mother of one daughter Jennifer and grandmother to twins – Ava and Alex Tomlinson, who now attend Teaneck High School.
