2026 Candidates
2026 Candidates for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League Board of Directors
The following individuals are this year’s candidates for open positions on the Int’l LLL/LHM Board of Directors in compliance with Article III of the current Bylaws. Contributing members of the ministry who register with Lutheran Hour Ministries’ headquarters by March 15 will be able to vote in the 2026 election if they are also members of a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church—Canada.
The election runs from April 15 through May 15. To be counted, online and paper ballots must be received by the chosen tabulation firm no later than May 15. Results will be reported online around June 1 and in this summer’s issue of The Lutheran Layman.
Board Nominees: (listed in alphabetical order; vote for up to four)
Karl Abraham of Lochaber-Ouest, Quebec, Canada
Abraham has served increasingly senior positions for Environment and Climate Change Canada, a federal department for the Canadian government, since 2002. He currently is chief engineer for electricity policy, managing a team of more than 20 engineers and focusing on the generation of electricity through engaging with stakeholders, developing policy, and promoting and administering regulations. He has received numerous employment awards for contributions to various regulations and program development. As a trained chemical engineer, he has an extensive background in program design, policy governance, communications, and strategic thinking. An LHM Board member since 2023, Abraham’s congregational volunteer positions have included Sunday school teacher, trustee/secretary, and member of the church council.
Jim Dankenbring of St. Louis, Missouri
Dankenbring is a partner in the law firm Spencer Fane LLP, representing businesses in mergers and acquisitions, securities matters, contract negotiations, and executive compensation. He was previously a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young. Dankenbring led his congregation’s capital campaign and has served or chaired numerous non-profit boards like Lutheran Senior Services, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, The Foundation for Called Workers, and Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation. A current LHM Board member, he and his wife co-chaired LHM’s SENT Initiative. His many distinctions include The Best Lawyers in America® (2012-2023) and Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Corporate Compliance Law (2017), and Corporate Governance Law (2022).
Mary Scott of Irvine, California
Scott has served as chief executive officer/executive director of Lutheran High School of Orange County since 2020 following four years as head of school at Concordia International School in Shanghai, China. She previously spent more than 30 years at Concordia University (Irvine, California) in increasingly responsible positions, completing her tenure there as provost and executive vice president. A commissioned minister of religion in the LCMS, her extensive volunteer service includes six years chairing the LCMS Chief Academic Officers Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Concordia University Chicago, a master’s degree in athletic administration from Adelphi University, and a doctorate in education (institutional management) from Pepperdine University.
Ron Wheeler of Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Wheeler has been in the insurance business since 1980 and is licensed in all 50 states. He is part-owner and chief executive officer of a national network brokerage that markets life insurance and annuities through 1,800-plus agents representing cultures from all around the world. Among his volunteer work is a dedicated record of service at Holy Trinity Lutheran in Grandview, Missouri, where he currently is congregational chair. Wheeler has also held various board positions with the Missouri District of the LCMS, the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (including nine years as investment committee chair), and past leadership positions with National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (past president of Missouri NAIFA).