Deaconess Lisa Polito is a 1990 graduate of Valparaiso University and assumed the role of executive director of the LDA on January 1, 2008. Prior to her promotion, Lisa served the LDA as the Director of Development and Public Relations for seven years. Before coming to the LDA, Mrs. Polito served as the Director of Chaplaincy Services for Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West in Southern California. She has written for the LWML Quarterly, speaks at conferences and leads retreats.

Lisa is married to Carmine Polito, a civil engineering professor at Valparaiso University. They enjoy reading and baseball games!

Diane Marten
Director of Education and Formation
Diane.Marten@valpo.edu

Deaconess Diane Marten earned a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University in 1972 and a master’s degree in counseling from Chapman College, Orange, California. Diane accepted the call to serve as Director of Education and Formation at the LDA in 2001.

Following her master’s degree, she provided hospital chaplaincy, private counseling and grief work for children. Her congregational ministry focused on music, youth and Christian Education. Diane also has extensive experience working with infants at risk of developmental disabilities.

Christi Thieme
Director of Development and Public Relations
Christi.Thieme@valpo.edu

Christi Thieme is a 1998 graduate of Valparaiso University and received her MPA in Nonprofit Management from IUPUI in 2004. Prior to accepting the call to the Lutheran Deaconess Association as the Director of Development and Public Relations in 2008, Christi served as the Director of Fund Development at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre for five years.

In Indianapolis, she was active with the Indianapolis Valpo Alumni Chapter. Christi and her husband Chip, enjoy sports (Go Crusaders!) and their dog.

Mary Hohnke
Administrative Assistant
Mary.Hohnke@valpo.edu

Mary came to the LDA in 2003 with nearly 20 years of administrative experience and is Microsoft Office Certified. Originally from Wisconsin, Mary worked in the Milwaukee Public Schools as an Administrative Assistant for 15 years. Upon moving to Michigan City in 1999, she served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of the Medical Group of Michigan City.

Mary is married to Vern, a La Porte County Deputy Sheriff, has two children, and recently became a grandma.

Gloria Hanks
Assistant for Database and Secretarial Services
Gloria.Hanks@valpo.edu

Gloria was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and has lived in Valparaiso since 1978. She has two grown daughters and three grandchildren. She enjoyed a thirty year career in medical/surgical assisting and medical administration, achieving certification status in several fields.

Gloria is an amateur artist and enjoys long distance running. Her hobbies include reading, watching film noir movies, interior design/remodeling and all manner of sewing and crafts.

Louise Williams
Executive Director Emeritus

Deaconess Louise Williams retired from the Lutheran Deaconess Association after 33 years of service to the LDA. She is a 1967 graduate of Valparaiso University. In 1992 Louise earned a master’s degree in religious studies at Mundelein College concentrating in Christian Spiritualities. She was also awarded a Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa, from Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa and received the Alumni Achievement Award from Valparaiso University.

Louise is a frequent workshop and retreat leader. Louise has written studies, series and articles for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Quarterly, Lutheran Women Today, The Lutheran and other publications. She has also co-authored studies with Phyllis Kersten. Louise is active in DIAKONIA World Federation and DIAKONIA of the Americas and Caribbean.