Obama names 18 new faith-based council advisers

(RNS) They include a former president of a historic black denomination, the head of an anti-hunger group and an executive of a Sikh organization.

President Obama speaks at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington on May 22, 2015 as part of Jewish Heritage Month. Photo courtesy Ron Sachs
carroll baltimore

The Rev. Carroll Baltimore, then-president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, announces the launch of the African-American Church Gun Control Coalition on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks

(RNS) President Obama on Thursday (Sept. 24) announced the names of 18 people who will serve on his third advisory council on faith-based issues.

They include leaders of religious groups and nonprofits — from a former president of a historic black denomination to the head of an anti-hunger group to an executive of a Sikh organization.



READ: White House proposes rules on faith-based social services


Additional names will be announced later. Here are the appointees so far:

  • Bishop Carroll A. Baltimore, former president, Progressive National Baptist Convention.
  • Preeta Bansal, president of Social Emergence Corporation.
  • The Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World.
  • Kara Bobroff, executive director of Native American Community Academy.
  • The Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life.
  • Rabbi Steve Gutow, president of Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
  • Aziza Hasan, executive director of NewGround: Muslim Jewish Partnership for Change.
  • Lanae Erickson Hatalsky, vice presiden, social policy and politics program, Third Way.

    The Rev. Jo Ann Lyon is the general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church. Photo courtesy of The Wesleyan Church

    The Rev. Jo Anne Lyon is the general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church. Photo courtesy of The Wesleyan Church

  • David Jeffrey, national Commander, Salvation Army USA.
  • The Rev. Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent, The Wesleyan Church.
  • The Rev. Michael McBride, urban strategies director, People Improving Communities through Organizing (known as PICO).
  • Nipun Mehta, founder, ServiceSpace
  • Kevin Ryan, CEO and president, Covenant House International.
  • The Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president, National Latino Evangelical Coalition.
  • Stephen Schneck, director, Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies, the Catholic University of America.
  • Jasjit Singh, executive director, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
  • Alexie Torres-Fleming, executive director, nonprofit Access Strategies Fund.
  • Deborah Weinstein, executive director, Coalition on Human Needs.

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