The Starr King School for the Ministry is proud to announce that Jeannie Whalen is now serving as Executive Assistant to the President of Starr King.
Jeannie Whalen has had long career in executive administration roles for nearly 40 years. Jeannie has served in the Office of the President of the University of California, Berkeley for 22 years. Some of various roles and responsibilities over that time include working in the UC Academic Senate for ten years and most recently as the writer of UC systemwide policy. She has also served as Executive Assistant to the Mayor of San Francisco, Joseph Alioto, and as a teacher for the American Cultural Center in North Africa.
Jeannie knows well the Graduate Theological Union, of which Starr King is a part, after being a student for several years at the Franciscan School of Theology. A secular Franciscan, Jeannie’s ongoing ministry of presence and service is to the poor and homeless in the San Francisco Tenderloin district. She spent several years living in Africa, India, and the Middle East, and has traveled throughout Europe and Asia. She holds a life-long interest and high regard for other cultures and religions.
Jeannie received her B.A. in political science and rhetoric from the University of California, Berkeley, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
She is also a singer and musician, and is currently singing with the Russian chorus Slavyanka. She also has a dedicated practice of Ashtanga and Vinyasa flow yoga.
“I am deeply honored to serve as President Bray McNatt’s executive assistant…I very much need to be a collaborative member of a community of like-hearted souls,” said Jeannie. “I very much look forward to meeting you all.”
We are proud to welcome Jeannie to the Starr King team and look forward to the work that awaits us.
