Home > Newsroom > Lutheran Services in America Appoints Strategist and Coalition Builder Kent Mitchell as Vice President, Strategy and Innovation

Press Releases & Statements Lutheran Services in America Appoints Strategist and Coalition Builder Kent Mitchell as Vice President, Strategy and Innovation

February 28, 2023

WASHINGTON — Lutheran Services in America, a national network of 300 health and human services organizations that reaches one in 50 people in the United States each year, announced the appointment of Kent Mitchell as vice president, strategy and innovation.

In this role, Mitchell will lead the development and implementation of high-impact partnerships and collaborations that empower nonprofit leaders, build organizational capacity and incubate learning and innovation.

“Kent is a seasoned and strategic change leader who has demonstrated success by creating collaborative alliances with policy makers, providers and other thought leaders to advance social sector innovation,” said Alesia Frerichs, president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America. “He is well positioned to grow the impact and investment in our work, including our child- and family-focused Results Innovation Lab and our aging initiatives.”

Mitchell joins Lutheran Services in America with more than 20 years of experience expanding evidence-based education and health and family strategies on a national scale. While at the Pew Charitable Trusts, Mitchell developed research and policy initiatives on a wide range of state policy concerns. During his tenure with the Corporation for National and Community Service, he co-led the launch and first year of the Obama administration’s Social Innovation Fund. Most recently, Mitchell directed state government affairs for the National Head Start Association where he led the Early Head Start Rising initiative to expand access to infant and toddler care.

“Lutheran Services in America has a rich history of empowering people to lead their best lives, promoting health, social connection and family support that strengthens our nation. I am inspired by the mission and levels of success and innovation it has achieved,” said Mitchell. “I am excited to join the team to deepen our impact across the continuum of care our network provides in 1,400 communities.”

About Lutheran Services in America
Lutheran Services in America is a national network of 300 health and human services organizations that reaches one in 50 people in the United States each year. Recognized by The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s top nonprofit organizations, the Lutheran Services in America network operates with more than $23 billion in combined annual revenue. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Lutheran Services in America leads innovative collaborations with its member organizations and partners in philanthropy, academia, healthcare and business to address the most critical challenges in our communities and empower people to lead their best lives.

To learn more, visit lutheranservices.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.