20 Years Strong

Director of Finance Gloria Markus reaches two decades of steady leadership and lasting impact

When Gloria Markus tells people she has worked at the Kansas Methodist Foundation for 20 years, there’s often a pause. She doesn’t look like someone who has spent half her life in one place. But it’s true — and it says a lot about both Gloria and the Foundation she has grown alongside.

A McPherson native, Gloria earned a degree in Business Administration from Emporia State
University in 2005, starting at KMF as the Administrative Assistant almost immediately after graduating.

Over the years, as the Foundation has changed, her role changed too. In 2015, during a time of new leadership, she became Director of External Relations. Later that same year, when another employee left, Gloria stepped into a new position and became
the Director of Finance — a role she still holds today.

In her 20 years at KMF, the Foundation’s work has shifted. What was once focused more on church loans is now centered on church investments, grants, and estate planning. Gloria has been there through it all, including a pivotal change to the Foundation’s
Certificate of Participation program, when CPs were redeemed at maturity and the program paused until new regulations were in place. She has also helped plan and support milestone moments in the life of the Foundation, including its 50th anniversary celebration in 2014 and the Legacy Lunch for Donors in 2019 — events that honored the past while strengthening relationships for the future.

While Gloria has worked at the same place, the place hasn’t always been the same. She has remained flexible and adaptable through three different leadership changes.

Gloria may not be the front-facing voice of the Foundation, but her work plays a key role in its success. Her favorite part of the job is building relationships with donors and church authorized signers.

Outside of work, Gloria enjoys spending time with her family and reading. She is raising three children - Hannah, Olivia, and Sam — with her husband, Zach.

She has built her life while working at KMF — growing up, getting married, and raising her family along the way. Looking ahead, Gloria hopes to continue making a difference for Methodist churches and to be a trusted resource for donors well into the future.

Dustin Petz, KMF President/CEO, considers Gloria a tremendous blessing: “I am honored to serve with her.”