Jessica Anschutz ’07 M.Div. has been named winner of one of the most prestigious honors of the Yale Alumni Fund: the Chairman’s Award for exemplary volunteer service.
Receiving the award February 23 at the Yale Club in New York, Anschutz was recognized for years of volunteer service that began in 2007 when she rallied her classmates to support the graduating class gift. Since graduating from YDS, Anschutz has continued to serve in numerous roles, including:
- YDS Alumni Board Member, ex-officio since 2010
- YDS Chairperson of Class Agents, 2008-present
- Yale Alumni Fund Board of Directors, 2009-present
- Yale Alumni Fund Board Executive Committee, 2011-present
- Giving Forward Working Group Chair, 2011-present
- Panelist, Trends in Philanthropy and Engagement, Yale Alumni Fund Convocation, November 21, 2013
In addition, Anschutz has served on the planning team for the Yale Alumni Fund Convocation and as co-chair of the Yale Divinity School Alumni Board Development Committee.
“Jessica serves with spirit, energy and unwavering commitment to the Yale Alumni Fund,” said Gail Briggs, director of alumni relations at YDS. “She has also stepped into other YAF roles—tirelessly and always with a smile.” Briggs noted that under Anschutz’s watch, YDS in 2014 achieved its second-highest total of annual fund dollars raised in a year.
A New York resident, Anschutz is the Lead Pastor of the Cooperative Parish of Putnam Valley, which includes four congregations in the lower Hudson River valley: Cold Spring UMC, Grace UMC-Putnam Valley, South Highland UMC, and Van Cortlandtville Community Church. In addition, Anschutz serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry and as Chairperson of the Order of Elders for the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and on the Board of Directors for Alliance Africa, an organization that supports and empowers local, community-based organizations working on sustainable development in Africa.