Jamie Wagner, Cru
Conference and Events Director, Great Plains
Boulder, Colorado
Age: 28
“I honestly don’t think there’s a more strategic way to reach the world for Christ than through college students, and on top of that, events for college students,” says Jamie Wagner, who was involved in the Cru ministry (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) in college. After completing her hospitality degree, she joined Cru as an intern, which later led to a full-time position. Now she oversees eight to 10 annual events, conferences and retreats, coordinating logistics, selecting speakers, and aligning visions and themes. Wagner, an active member of MPI-Rocky Mountains chapter, has a leadership role in the Campus Ministry Conference and Events Guild, a forum for all Cru planners to communicate year-round and meet at least once a year to collaborate and develop professionally. “Because I care and believe so much in my role and that of all religious planners, I think there’s a stewardship to plan the most effective and strategic conferences we can to reach the masses for Christ,” she says. “With that comes a responsibility to develop professionally. I want to take every step possible in leadership and development, and help think strategically for all our conference planners.”
Career Highlight: “I’m most excited about and looking forward to my husband and I getting ready to lead college students to South Africa for six weeks. When I think of milestones for my career—my husband and I don’t overlap a ton [Ryan is on staff with Cru at Colorado University]—that I’ll look back on, be thankful for and feel like it was an honor, it really is getting to lead this adventure together.
What friends say: “Jamie is already providing outstanding leadership to build our conference and events into venues that 1) Accomplish our organizational mission, 2) Grow in their involvement both on-site and virtually, and 3) Are a lot of fun for the conferees,” says Dan Allan, national director of operations, Pacific Southwest, Cru. “She has a natural intuition regarding what will connect with other planners and with the conferees. She has a good balance of tactical execution and big picture vision. Additionally, Jamie is demonstrating both her current and future leadership by the people she is recruiting into our conference and event planning for Cru’s U.S. Campus Ministry.”
What do you do to relax? “My husband and I love cooking, so we have at least one dinner party a month for our friends, and they’re always themed because that’s fun for us. We also have a beagle, Honey, that we love walking around the CU campus, and to decompress after a day, I love to read and do yoga.”
Dream Speaker: John Townsend on growth, Brennan Manning to lead a retreat, and Bono
Last Place You Vacationed: Vail, Colo., and a weeklong staycation along the front range of Colorado
Professional Pet Peeve: “When suppliers think because I’m a Christian meeting planner that my attendees want to do weird ‘Christian experiences’ during a conference. Trust me, if you think it’s weird, I’m definitely going to think it’s weird!”
First Job: Waitress
Where You’re Taking Upcoming Events: This fall: Denver, Colo.; Estes Park, Colo.; and a Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona
The Wagner Profile: Can people really survive without an iPhone? | I wish I could get away with a carry-on! | Aisle. I hate flying so I like to be first off. | Starbucks Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Soy Latte | Pencil skirts | Twitter
—Jennifer Garrett
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