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Mark Cannon
314-996-1462
Chief Financial Officer
Mark is senior vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer for the LCMS Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2013, Mark worked in the corporate sector for 20 years, serving in a variety of financial reporting, management, and analysis roles, primarily in the banking industry. He earned a bachelors in economics from Washington University, a masters in economics from Vanderbilt University, and is a certified public accountant.
Mark is responsible for all Investment, Finance and Administrative areas of the Foundation. He leads the Foundation’s Investment team, working closely with the Foundation’s investment committee and fund managers to monitor the Foundation’s $900 million in assets. He leads a team of eleven at the Foundation to manage Investments, Accounting, and Information Technology.
Mark and his wife Cristyn are both from St. Louis, and have been married since 1996. They have three children, and are active members at St. Paul’s in Des Peres, Missouri, where Mark serves on the church council and Cristyn works as a teacher. Mark was an adjunct professor of finance for four years, and has volunteered extensively in the St. Louis area. He enjoys biking, golf and coaching his children’s sports.
Ralph Simon
314-996-1056
Vice President, Investment Services
Ralph is responsible for growing the Foundation's customer account base and increasing the awareness and opportunities of the Foundation's investment services among LCMS congregations, colleges and universities, and other affiliated organizations. In addition, he also assists with identifying planned-giving opportunities and design and structure of ministry endowments.
Prior to joining the Foundation, he served as a benefit consultant for Concordia Plans, assisting LCMS employers and educating church workers about retirement planning and other employee related benefits. Ralph is a lifelong resident of St. Louis, a fifth-generation Lutheran and a member of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, where he serves as the congregation president.
Brad Conrad
314-996-1457
Vice President, Investment Operations
Brad graduated from Quincy University with a degree in finance and has an MBA from St. Louis University. He brings a strong background in portfolio management and investment operations. He is actively engaged in the day to day implementation of the Foundation’s $850 million investment portfolio, working closely with our investment advisor and fund managers.
Outside of the office, Brad enjoys spending time outside with his family, attending local sporting events, and is an alumni volunteer for his high school investment committee.
We provide congregations, schools, RSOs, seminaries and universities with the expertise to invest their assets in a variety of market funds. With vision, these funds can provide long-term stability, helping fund your ministry for generations to come.
Starting a gift plan program for your ministry can be simple. We have partnerships with dozens of LCMS congregations, schools, ministries and even our seminaries. If you think your congregation or ministry should have a program in place, we’re happy to talk with your pastor or ministry leaders.
If you're interested in serving LCMS members and ministries professionally, the LCMS Foundation is a great place to work. In addition to the rewards of working to support the Church, the LCMS Foundation has been listed as one of the best places to work in St. Louis.
In today’s busy world with volatile markets, we appreciate the expertise and cost efficiency of the Foundation to manage the congregation’s investments. Partnering with the LCMS Foundation provides for not only the ministries of Immanuel, but for the ministries of the church at large.
Bob Wurl
Chairman, Immanuel Endowment Fund Committee
Hankinson, ND
Our school was blessed with our first gift from a donor who wanted to start an endowed scholarship fund. The LCMS Foundation helped guide us through the process of creating an investment fund that reflected the donor’s wishes and provided an opportunity for future financial growth for our school. We were thankful to work with a trusted partner who understood the importance of incorporating our mission and vision in our financial planning.
Jen Pawlitz
Director of Mission Advancement, Christ Community Lutheran School
St. Louis, MO
Our partnership with the LCMS Foundation has been a tremendous blessing. In just a few years, we’ve identified more than $20 million in gifts planned for St. Peter and other Lutheran ministries.
Rev. Micah Greiner
Lead Pastor, St. Peter Lutheran Church
Arlington Heights, IL
Working with the LCMS Foundation has not only been stress-free but immensely beneficial for our congregation. We are thankful to have a partner in our investing that cares deeply about the proclamation of the Word of God, the administration of Christ’s sacraments, and the congregations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. The endowment we have started is meant to support these important things in Montana no and for future generations.
Rev. Ryan Wendt
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church
Billings, MT
