Sandy Wisdom-Martin (left) has announced plans to retire as executive director of national WMU early next year. Connie Dixon (right), current WMU president, has named a team to find Wisdom-Martin’s replacement.
By Julie Walters, WMU Corporate Communications
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Connie Dixon, WMU president, has formed a search committee to seek the organization’s next executive director-treasurer following Sandy Wisdom-Martin’s Dec. 10 announcement of her intentions to retire by January 2027. Wisdom-Martin has devoted more than 35 years serving in Southern Baptist leadership roles with the past nine and a half leading national WMU.
Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, will serve as chair of the search committee. Serving along with McIntosh and Dixon are Linda Cooper, president of Kentucky WMU and president emerita of national WMU; Sandra Hughes, president of California WMU; Phyllis Rodgers, president of Louisiana WMU; and Odelle Cadwell, former president of WMU of Michigan.
“After a season of prayer and fasting, I am very excited about the group God led me to appoint to this committee,” Dixon said. “Each has already been praying about this process and the leadership of WMU. At times this task has seemed overwhelming, but we serve an awesome and faithful God Who I know is already preparing the next executive director. Please be in prayer for this committee and the task before us.”
McIntosh joins Dixon in asking Southern Baptists to pray for the next executive director.
“We deeply covet your prayers as we move forward in dependence on the Lord,” McIntosh said. “I am honored to serve alongside the women who have been chosen for this important responsibility. As a committee, we are humbled by the task God has entrusted to us. We do not take lightly the role of seeking the ninth executive director-treasurer who will lead WMU, SBC with wisdom and vision.”
The search committee is refining a profile of characteristics, skills, and experience desired for the position of executive director-treasurer and is seeking further input from various audiences. A job description is posted at wmu.com/employment. Resumes and recommendations may be sent to [email protected] in March and April.
McIntosh said there is not a specific timeline to present a candidate to the executive board of WMU, SBC, and that the committee is committed to prayerfully following the Lord’s leading and timing.