West Side Presbyterian Church
- Location: Seattle, Washington
- Website: https://wspc.org/
- Denomination: PCUSA
- Hiring for: Executive Director
About West Side Presbyterian Church
West Side Presbyterian Church has served the West Seattle community for more than a century, becoming a steady, multigenerational presence in one of the city’s most unique neighborhoods. The church is known for its warm, thoughtful environment where Scripture is taken seriously and questions are welcomed. With a blended worship style, a long history of strong youth ministry, and a mission-minded stance that includes significant global and local giving, West Side is committed to living out its faith in tangible ways.
Coming out of a challenging leadership season and now stepping into one of redevelopment and renewed vision, West Side has been strengthening its staff culture, refocusing its mission, and laying the groundwork for future growth. The Executive Director role was created to bring clarity, operational excellence, and strategic alignment across the church’s ministries so the mission remains front and center.
The ideal leader needed to:
- Bring strong organizational and operational leadership
- Understand the nuances of a historic PCUSA congregation
- Build systems, processes, and leadership pathways
- Translate big-picture vision into practical execution
- Support the Senior Pastor while creating alignment and momentum
- Navigate both pastoral and organizational challenges with wisdom and steadiness
Strategy and timing
This search was led by Senior Executive Search Consultant Jay Mitchell, who guided the process with deep discernment and a clear understanding of West Side’s unique dynamics. Partnering with him was Executive Search Recruiter Dawson Penshorn, whose strong candidate instincts and relational approach helped surface a standout first slate.PCUSA-related searches often come with layers of complexity — theological breadth, governance structures, and high committee involvement — but Jay and Dawson moved efficiently, engaging the national market and presenting several strong, aligned leaders. One candidate quickly distinguished himself as the right blend of experience, steadiness, and mission-minded leadership: Alan Koenigsburg.
About Alan Koenigsburg
Alan brought a background that blended operational leadership, administrative skill, and practical ministry understanding. His experience in multigenerational church environments gave him a strong grasp of how healthy systems, clear communication, and thoughtful leadership shape a congregation. His calm presence, steady judgment, and natural alignment with West Side’s needs made an immediate impression on Senior Pastor Laurie Brenner and the hiring team.
Alan demonstrated not only competence but also a clear understanding of what this next season at West Side requires. He showed the ability to support a visionary leader, build healthy systems, and help align the entire church around mission and impact. His grounded leadership style and relational warmth made him a natural fit for the role.
Conclusion
We’re thrilled to celebrate West Side Presbyterian Church as they welcome Alan Koenigsburg as their new Executive Director. This placement is a testament to the clarity and teamwork of both West Side’s leadership and the Vanderbloemen search team. We’re confident Alan’s steady leadership and operational strength will play a key role in the church’s next chapter of growth, health, and mission-driven impact.
