Matt Miller to Fill Leadership Role Upon Ann Vazquez Retirement
Following a national search, the Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Miller as its new President/CEO, effective December 1, 2024. Miller will succeed Ann Vazquez, who is retiring after 19 years in the role. Vazquez will remain with the Foundation until February 2025.
“Because of Matt’s heart for St. Louis and his vision for catalytic support and funding, he is absolutely the right person to take Lutheran Foundation forward into its fifth decade, ” said Dr. Robert Boyle, chairperson of the Foundation’s board of directors.
Prior to this role, Miller led Send Me St. Louis, the capacity-building arm and sister organization of Lutheran Foundation. In this position, Miller led efforts to strengthen St. Louis congregations and faith-based nonprofits by fostering collaboration, strategic community engagement, and effective volunteer management. He supported emerging ministry collaboratives and built a robust network of church and nonprofit relationships throughout St. Louis.
Miller brings a passion for the St. Louis region and a heart for how churches and nonprofits can be a part of flourishing communities. He has actively served entities across St. Louis, serving for five years as chairperson of the Lutheran Development Group Board of Directors, six years as a member of the Young Life St. Louis City Committee, and ten years as a block captain in his neighborhood. This past year, Miller was part of Focus: Leadership St. Louis, a cross-sector development program committed to increasing the leadership capacity in the St. Louis region.
Miller holds a Master of Organizational Leadership from Dominican University and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Concordia University Chicago.
“I am honored to be selected as Lutheran Foundation’s next leader,” Miller shares. “We have a tremendous opportunity to be a catalyst, support, and encouragement to the many ways God is mobilizing His Church and people to love, serve, and engage the St. Louis community. Building on our strong past, I believe we can do even more to engage relationally, provide robust capacity-building experiences, and offer change-making capital that fosters a flourishing Church and community.”
Now celebrating its 40th year of grantmaking (1985-2025), Lutheran Foundation has awarded over $141 Million to social services, healthcare agencies, educational organizations, and community outreach initiatives throughout the St. Louis region. The foundation is proud to play a role in improving the lives of St. Louisans and empowering the Church to engage in the lives of hurting people.