Organizational Leadership
President and Founder
Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil is a visionary and insightful thought-leader in the field of racial and ethnic reconciliation. For over 20 years, she has traveled the globe inspiring hope and igniting a passion for racial healing at colleges, universities, conferences and churches. Dr. Salter McNeil is a powerful and prophetic preacher whose words transform lives and produce action.
Dr. Salter McNeil has extensive experience in the field of racial reconciliation. For nearly 13 years, she served as the Regional Coordinator of Multiethnic training for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, a national evangelical organization that supports Christian outreach to students on college and university campuses.
In 1995, in response to her growing passion for authentic racial healing, she founded Overflow Ministries, Inc., a non-profit, faith-based organization devoted to the ministry of racial and ethnic reconciliation. Dr. Salter McNeil continues this work through Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC, a racial and ethnic reconciliation consulting firm based in Chicago, Illinois.
As the President and Founder of Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC, Dr. Salter McNeil galvanizes leaders of institutions and organizations to initiate the reconciliation process, and then empowers those leaders to transform their institutional environments into communities of racial healing and justice.
Dr. Salter McNeil has developed the McNeil Reconciliation Change Model to describe and define the reconciliation process. Salter McNeil & Associates implement the Model in their consulting engagements in order to change the culture of an organization or institution from the inside out.
Dr. Salter McNeil holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary). She is the coauthor of the book The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change (InterVarsity Press, 2005). She has also authored a chapter in Women’s Liberation, Jesus Style (InterVarsity Press, 1998, 2002).
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, Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil stands at the forefront of an international movement to advance God's kingdom through the ministry of racial and ethnic reconciliation.
Director of Consulting
Dr. J. Derek McNeil
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’s brings a wealth of professional experience to Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC. 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 the Divisional Director of Consulting for Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC. In this capacity, he uses his psychological expertise and vast knowledge regarding group dynamics to ensure that a meaningful and authentic reconciliation process can occur. Dr. Derek McNeil works at the executive level to provide in-depth analysis of diversity issues, identify organizational readiness and barriers that inhibit the reconciliation process and works with key institutional and organizational leaders to develop and implement targeted strategies to address those issues.
J. Derek McNeil holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. McNeil has authored chapters in two books: The Black Family: Past, Present and Future, and Men to Men: Voices of African American Males.
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.
Director of Operations
Rev. Betzy Cisneros
Betzy Cisneros is the Director of Operations for Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC. 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 Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC is overwhelmingly positive and productive.
Betzy brings a variety of work experience to Salter McNeil & Associates, LLC. 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 Masters 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 Salter McNeil team!
