Our Leadership
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
Dr. J. Derek McNeil
Rev. Betzy Cisneros
Rosanne Swain
Melissa Esten
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
President and Founder
Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil is the president and founder of Salter McNeil & Associates. She is a renowned speaker, author and thought-leader in the field of racial, ethnic and gender reconciliation. Dr. Salter McNeil has over 25 years of ministry experience. She is called to the healing of people and the healing of nations.
Dr. Salter McNeil earned her Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Doctorate of Ministry from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary). She received a Doctor of Humane Letters degree from North Park University, where she currently is a Scholar in Residence. Through her speaking, teaching and writing, Dr. Salter McNeil boldly declares a vision that unites, transforms and brings healing to people from every tribe and every nation. Together with her husband, Dr. J. Derek McNeil and their two children, she stands at the forefront of an international movement to advance the Kingdom of God to all nations.
Books:
A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism and Race (IV Press 2008)
The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change, Co-authored with Rick Richardson, Associate Director of Evangelism for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (InterVarsity Press, January, 2005)
“My Friend Sam: The Battle for Self-Esteem,” pp. 15-29, Chapter 1 in Women’s Liberation Jesus Style: Messages of Spirituality and Wisdom, Stephanie Bibb, Editor, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 1998, 2002
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J. Derek McNeil, Ph.D
Coaching & Faculty Specialist
Dr. McNeil is a national leader in the field of psychology, focusing his research on the identity development of African-American males, marital and family therapy, and group dynamics. He has traveled nationally and internationally presenting workshops and seminars on these topics.
Dr. McNeil brings a wealth of professional experience to Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC, (SMA) He has worked as a clinician in private practice, a diversity advisor and coordinator, an organizational consultant and as an administrator. Currently, Dr. McNeil serves as an Associate Professor in the graduate school of Psychology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.
Dr. J. Derek McNeil is a consultant and faculty specialist for SMA. As an organizational consultant he uses his psychological expertise and vast knowledge to provide in-depth analysis of group dynamics issues, identify organizational readiness and barriers to the reconciliation process. In addition, Dr. McNeil works with faculty and administrators regarding diversity related recruitment and retention issues. He also provides executive coaching to develop and implement targeted strategies to increase the intercultural competency of faculty and staff at Christian colleges and universities.
J. Derek McNeil received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern University in St. Davids, PA. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Dr. McNeil has authored chapters in several books including The Black Family: Past, Present and Future, Men to Men: Voices of African American Males and This Side of Heaven: Race, Ethnicity and Christian Faith, published by Oxford University Press in 2007.
Dr. J. Derek McNeil is a man of great depth, character, wisdom and integrity. He resides in Chicago, Illinois with his wife, Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil and their two children.
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Rev. Betzy Cisneros
Director of Operations
Betzy Cisneros is the Director of Operations for Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC, (SMA). She is responsible for the daily business operations, communication networks, and scheduling for Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil and the associates who work with her. In this capacity, Betzy is available to ensure that each client’s experience with SMA is overwhelmingly positive and productive.
Betzy brings a variety of work experience to SMA. She is a ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is committed to the specialized ministry of racial and ethnic reconciliation. Betzy also has strong administrative, organizational, and communication skills that enable her to work well with people. In addition Betzy has a servant’s heart. Her personal passion for reconciliation along with her strong professional acumen makes her uniquely qualified to serve Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC in this capacity.
Betzy earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and youth ministries from the North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, and a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education from North Park Seminary. She lives in Chicago, IL but still considers Leavenworth, Kansas her hometown. Betzy is married to Christian Cisneros and they have three children together. She is excited to be part of the SMA team!
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Rosanne Swain
Event Specialist
Rosanne Swain, based in Vancouver, Canada, is the Events Specialist for Salter McNeil and Associates. She has worked for over 15 years to raise awareness of racial diversity and equality in a variety of settings. At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), she served as a Financial Chairperson of the Student Council, where she made monetary decisions that enriched the diversity of campus life. Rosanne later worked for Pepsi-Cola in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a marketing associate with a concentration in new products and ethnic marketing. She later came to Chicago to accept a position at LINK Unlimited, a faith-based, not-for-profit organization, which provides scholarships for African-American high school students and establishes mentoring relationships, which help bridge the racial divide between students and sponsors.
As the SMA Events Specialist, Rosanne is responsible for coordinating all details, including strategic planning and marketing, for speaking engagements at major events. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from UCLA, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Rosanne, along with her husband, John Swain Jr., also have eight years of experience in marriage ministry. They home-school their three children, with an emphasis in Chinese and African culture and history.
All of these experiences and her growing compassion for unity and positive ethnic identity formation have called Rosanne Swain to serve in the ministry of reconciliation.
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Melissa Esten
Team Leader
Melissa Esten has extensive experience working with leaders in ministerial and educational settings to move organizations towards excellence and intercultural competency. She brings particular expertise in assessment and strategic planning as well as a heart for racial reconciliation to Salter McNeil & Associates LLC.
Melissa served for five years as an InterVarsity staff member at San Diego State University upon graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in History. After her tenure at InterVarsity, she served as the Director of Education at Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church. Thereafter, Melissa continued to develop her skills in educational program development and cross-cultural competency in a volunteer capacity at her children’s schools and with the San Diego Unified School District.
Melissa led a team that developed a parent partnership program at Pershing Middle School, which included a parent/school communication system that was essential in creating an environment that was inclusive to parents from all racial and economic backgrounds. Melissa also co-founded Parent Voices for Education (PVSD), a district-wide independent partnership of racial and ethnically diverse parents working together to ensure that education policies support children from all backgrounds. For this effort, Melissa and her co-founder received the local 10 NEWS Leadership Award.
Melissa has been married to her wonderful husband, Tom, for 24 years and has two great children, Erin and John.
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