President & CEO

Rev. Brian J. Sauder
Rev. Sauder serves as the President and CEO of Faith in Place, a nonprofit empowering people of diverse faiths and spiritualities to be leaders in advancing environmental and racial justice by providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities.
Ordained by the Mennonite Church, U.S.A. - Rev. Sauder also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and McCormick Theological Seminary—teaching public ministry courses for future clergy and faith leaders on organizing for environmental justice.
He is an award recipient of the University of Illinois Business School's Community Scholar, a Central IL Business 40 Under 40 winner, and a 2019 Midwest Energy News' 40 Under 40 winner.
Rev. Sauder grew up in rural Tazewell County, IL and received his B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois, his M.A. in Religion from Urbana Theological Seminary, and his M.B.A. from the University of Illinois.
Notable Media Work and Features:
-
Crain’s Chicago Business: CEJA puts long-term health over short-term profits
-
The Chicago Tribune: Clean air should not be for sale: Why Chicago needs a clean buildings ordinance
-
Natural Awakenings: Brian Sauder on Faith-Based Grassroots Change
-
WGN Radio: Mark Carman Full Show
-
Sinai and Synapses: Empowering People of Faith to Care for the Environment
-
The New York Times: For Faithful, Social Justice Goals Demand Action on Environment
-
Things Not Seen Radio: An Interfaith Ecology: Rev. Brian Sauder