About David S. Bell

Expertise

David creates hope by providing motivational seminars and visionary design
for leaders of congregations and faith-based organizations. With a primary
focus on leadership and stewardship, David customizes his services to help
leaders and their organizations transform for a vibrant future.

For nearly 30 years, David has asked faith-based, non-profit leaders adaptive
questions that help them envision new possibilities.  He is a thought leader
whose intuitive curiosity about organizational systems and his passionate
emphasis on emotional intelligence combine to empower vital transformation. He empowers leaders to discover their unique role in enabling communities of faith to embody a generous culture.

He addresses the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of generosity, the
debilitating impact of hyper consumerism on giving, and the positive cycle of
abundance-focused communities. One of David’s recognized strengths is his
personal understanding of organizations from various perspectives. He gained experience as a pastor, a development director, and a regional and national church executive.

Background

David received a Post-Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership from the
Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a magna cum laude graduate of Drew Theological School, and holds a B.A. in
Religious Studies and Secondary Education from The College of Wooster.  He
is an ordained clergy in The United Methodist Church.

In addition to serving as Senior Design Partner with Design Group
International, David currently is President and Executive Director of the
United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. He is President of the National
Association of United Methodist Foundations, Vice Chair of the United
Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, a Director of the General Council on
Finance and Administration, and Past President of the Ecumenical
Stewardship Center Board of Directors. He is an active member of the
Association of Fundraising Professionals, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, the Church Network, the Advisory Boards of The United Methodist Church Development Center and the Good Sense Movement, and a community member of Lakeside Chautauqua.