Krysten Carter Holloway is President-elect of Board of Pensions

 

After completing a comprehensive, nationwide executive search, the Board of Directors of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has elected Krysten Carter Holloway as the next President of the Board of Pensions. Holloway will be presented to the 227th General Assembly (2026) and will formally assume the role upon confirmation by the General Assembly on or about July 1.

“I am honored to be elected as the next President of the Board of Pensions,” said Holloway. “Having the opportunity to lead this agency reflects my deep dedication to supporting the holistic well-being of those who serve the Church.”

Holloway’s election marks a historic milestone for the agency, as she will be the first African American woman and the first person of color to assume the role of President and CEO of the agency upon confirmation. In the role, she will be responsible for the overall management of the agency and the oversight of more than $14 billion in assets and more than 200 employees.

An accomplished executive with more than 20 years of leadership in healthcare benefits, Holloway brings expertise as a senior enterprise leader with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Her career spans pharmaceutical sales, hospital administration, and the insurance sector, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of the full continuum of care and the systems that support it. With distinguished experience in large-scale health benefits programs for national employer groups of over 1,000 employees, including fiduciary oversight and collaboration across cross-functional operations, she brings long-range vision to her leadership.

“Krysten is a mission-driven leader who will bring a collaborative, governance-focused approach to advancing the agency’s mission,” said Andrew Junkin, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Board of Pensions and Chair of the Search Committee. “Board of Pensions operations have become increasingly complex over the last 12 years, and she brings the strategic vision and operational discipline necessary to lead the agency as the next President.”

Holloway’s election affirms her deep dedication to supporting those who serve the Church, as well as her ability to lead with both purpose and performance. Before her resignation on May 11, 2026, she served four years on the agency’s Board of Directors. She was the Second Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors and served as a member of the Executive, Assistance and Church Engagement, Board Development and Governance, Healthcare, and Legal committees. This experience lends her a firsthand understanding of how the agency’s offerings shape the day-to-day lives of the Benefits Plan members and the employers it serves.

“Over the last decade, the agency has committed itself to strengthening and refining how we serve the Church,” said Holloway. “I look forward to working alongside our Board of Directors and agency staff on continuing our mission to support the holistic well-being of members well into the future.”

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, she serves as a Ruling Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the same church she worshipped in growing up and where her father, the Reverend Dr. Clyde L. Carter, was pastor. Her mother, Eva O. Carter, is former Moderator of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley and a former member of the agency’s Board of Directors.

In addition to her service to the PC(USA), Holloway is active in regional and statewide nonprofit organizations, including:

• Trustee, Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley
• Chair, Witness and Evangelism Committee, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Birmingham [PC(USA)]
• Programming Co-Chair, The Birmingham (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
• Former Board Member, Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity
• Former Board Member and Funding Chair, Alabama Possible
• Past President, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, Birmingham Chapter

"As the daughter of Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Clyde L. Carter and Mrs. Eva O. Carter, I have been shaped by a lifelong witness to faith, leadership, and service,” said Holloway. “I am honored to carry that legacy forward by strengthening how we care for and support those who serve the Church.”

Holloway holds a Bachelor of Arts in social work from Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, and a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. She is the mother of two children.

She will succeed the Reverend Dr. Frank Clark Spencer, who announced his retirement from the agency in October 2025 after serving as President for 12 years. Following the announcement, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors appointed a Search Committee to identify the next President. The Board of Pensions partnered with Korn Ferry, a global consulting firm with expertise in executive searches, in late 2025 to identify candidates for the role.