Meet the 2026 Candidates!
Nominees for President
Cheryl Brunson, Utah Zone, Holy Trinity, Logan, Utah
My husband and I have lived in Logan for 35 years. I am currently serving as the secretary for Holy Trinity’s Church Council; in the past, I served for ten years as the church secretary. A weekly women’s Bible study is also a major part of my weekly routine. Serving in various capacities in LWML has also been a large part of my life. I have been the Utah Zone President, on and off, for a number of years. At the District level, I have served as Public Relations Coordinator and VP of Human Care (now Special Focus Ministries). I have been the volunteer Office Manager for Fuller Center for Housing of Cache Valley for many years. I am married to Mark Brunson, a retired university professor, who is currently the Science Director for the Nature Conservancy’s Canyonlands Research Center.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
My husband and I have lived in Logan for 35 years. I am currently serving as the secretary for Holy Trinity’s Church Council; in the past, I served for ten years as the church secretary. A weekly women’s Bible study is also a major part of my weekly routine. Serving in various capacities in LWML has also been a large part of my life. I have been the Utah Zone President, on and off, for a number of years. At the District level, I have served as Public Relations Coordinator and VP of Human Care (now Special Focus Ministries). I have been the volunteer Office Manager for Fuller Center for Housing of Cache Valley for many years. I am married to Mark Brunson, a retired university professor, who is currently the Science Director for the Nature Conservancy’s Canyonlands Research Center.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Nominees for Vice President of Christian Life
Arianna Keyser, Utah Zone, St. Paul, Ogden, Utah
I grew up supporting missions through the Mite Box at the home church of my youth, Peace Lutheran Church in Tustin, California. However, it wasn’t until moving to Utah about a year ago that I really got involved in the LWML. I have attended local and zone meetings. I have taken on the roles of Young Woman’s Representative (YWR) at the Omaha 2025 National LWML Convention and also that of the District Social Media Manager (August, 2025 - present).
Over the years I have helped with Vacation Bible School (VBS), including two years of directing VBS and the rest assisting with stations or groups as needed on any given year. I graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, with Great Commission Certification which means I have gone on several national and international mission trips, taken classes to learn about effective mission work, as well as reflecting and presenting on my experiences bringing classroom and field learning together. I have written and published a devotion currently available through the Association of Christian Librarian’s Reference Point devotionals.
I am currently helping to facilitate the Women’s Bible Study at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ogden. In my past role as an instruction and outreach librarian, I planned, organized, and hosted various events and growth opportunities for the university community I served at the time. In hosting these library events I also recorded data about the event and its attendance which would be shared in reports to the library director and saved for future librarians to use in planning their events. These events involved organizing details for guest speakers, usually from the campus faculty, to speak on some of their areas of study and publication.
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come (Psalm 71:18).
I grew up supporting missions through the Mite Box at the home church of my youth, Peace Lutheran Church in Tustin, California. However, it wasn’t until moving to Utah about a year ago that I really got involved in the LWML. I have attended local and zone meetings. I have taken on the roles of Young Woman’s Representative (YWR) at the Omaha 2025 National LWML Convention and also that of the District Social Media Manager (August, 2025 - present).
Over the years I have helped with Vacation Bible School (VBS), including two years of directing VBS and the rest assisting with stations or groups as needed on any given year. I graduated from Concordia University, Irvine, with Great Commission Certification which means I have gone on several national and international mission trips, taken classes to learn about effective mission work, as well as reflecting and presenting on my experiences bringing classroom and field learning together. I have written and published a devotion currently available through the Association of Christian Librarian’s Reference Point devotionals.
I am currently helping to facilitate the Women’s Bible Study at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ogden. In my past role as an instruction and outreach librarian, I planned, organized, and hosted various events and growth opportunities for the university community I served at the time. In hosting these library events I also recorded data about the event and its attendance which would be shared in reports to the library director and saved for future librarians to use in planning their events. These events involved organizing details for guest speakers, usually from the campus faculty, to speak on some of their areas of study and publication.
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come (Psalm 71:18).
Cindy Runyan, Western Zone, Grace, Caldwell, Idaho
I am a dedicated and organized individual with several years of experience as a church secretary, as the Chairperson for the Board of Education for over ten years, and as a member of the Church Council for two different churches. I became an LWML member when I moved to Idaho and joined Grace Lutheran Church Caldwell in 2019. I am currently sending out Encouragement, Thinking of You, and Sympathy cards from our society to our congregational members. I participate in the monthly LWML Concordia Circle meetings and have taken part in the servant events offered by the Utah-Idaho District, Western Zone, and Concordia Circle. I have also attended two of the Utah-Idaho District Conventions, once serving as a delegate.
I am an active member of Grace Lutheran Church Caldwell’s TechA/V Team. I create slide presentations for weekly church services, as well as funerals and other special events. I assist with the sound system and video-streaming services. In 2014 and 2016 I went on two mission trips to Ghana with the Sending Place in California. We taught the unchurched children in the Ghana villages about Jesus.
My heart is to serve our Lord Jesus with the gifts He has given me.
“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands..." (Psalm 31:14-15 NIV).
I am a dedicated and organized individual with several years of experience as a church secretary, as the Chairperson for the Board of Education for over ten years, and as a member of the Church Council for two different churches. I became an LWML member when I moved to Idaho and joined Grace Lutheran Church Caldwell in 2019. I am currently sending out Encouragement, Thinking of You, and Sympathy cards from our society to our congregational members. I participate in the monthly LWML Concordia Circle meetings and have taken part in the servant events offered by the Utah-Idaho District, Western Zone, and Concordia Circle. I have also attended two of the Utah-Idaho District Conventions, once serving as a delegate.
I am an active member of Grace Lutheran Church Caldwell’s TechA/V Team. I create slide presentations for weekly church services, as well as funerals and other special events. I assist with the sound system and video-streaming services. In 2014 and 2016 I went on two mission trips to Ghana with the Sending Place in California. We taught the unchurched children in the Ghana villages about Jesus.
My heart is to serve our Lord Jesus with the gifts He has given me.
“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands..." (Psalm 31:14-15 NIV).
Nominees for VP of Special Focus Ministies
Kate Brennan, Central Zone, Trinity, Clover, Idaho
I have been a casual member of LWML for almost 15 years. I attended a convention as a Young Woman’s Representative (YWR) what seems like ages ago. Recently, I have been attempting to reach outside my comfort zone, be more involved, and share the gifts with which I have been blessed.
Over my lifetime, I’ve been a Lutheran camp counselor, nanny, semi-truck driver, emergency room volunteer, mail handler, Vacation Bible School teacher, chemo/radiation Certified Nursing Assistant, Special Education teacher, wedding dress designer, elder caregiver, home remodeler, and, most importantly, wife and mother.
Although I don’t have any degrees or certificates, I was, however, gifted with a beautiful mind and a willing spirit. I once told my boss, a Radiation Oncologist, “Show me how and I could do your job.”
All that is to say, I have faith that if God has a job for me to do, He will surely show me how.
Thank you for your consideration.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV).
I have been a casual member of LWML for almost 15 years. I attended a convention as a Young Woman’s Representative (YWR) what seems like ages ago. Recently, I have been attempting to reach outside my comfort zone, be more involved, and share the gifts with which I have been blessed.
Over my lifetime, I’ve been a Lutheran camp counselor, nanny, semi-truck driver, emergency room volunteer, mail handler, Vacation Bible School teacher, chemo/radiation Certified Nursing Assistant, Special Education teacher, wedding dress designer, elder caregiver, home remodeler, and, most importantly, wife and mother.
Although I don’t have any degrees or certificates, I was, however, gifted with a beautiful mind and a willing spirit. I once told my boss, a Radiation Oncologist, “Show me how and I could do your job.”
All that is to say, I have faith that if God has a job for me to do, He will surely show me how.
Thank you for your consideration.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV).
Nominees for Treasurer
Karla Long, Central Zone, XrossWay Ministries, Kimberly, Idaho
I am a wife, a mother of two adult daughters, a grandmother of four, and a veteran of the United States Air Force. I have an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Secretarial Studies from Delta College in Michigan and the same degree in Bookkeeping from the College of Southern Idaho along with several bookkeeping certificates.
I have been a Lutheran all my adult life after being baptized one month before marrying my husband, Paul Long, a lifelong Lutheran. Adult confirmation followed several years later in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). When we moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, in June 1992, we felt the long drive to Nampa to attend the WELS congregational worship services was becoming a burden for us. We then transferred our membership to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Twin Falls. After a few years, I joined the LWML group and was elected as the Vice President.
In 2015 my family and I transferred to XrossWay Lutheran Ministries at the time the congregation was established. During that same year, after completing my bookkeeping degree, Rev. Lutz asked me to serve as the church’s bookkeeper. I continue to fulfill the duties of this position as I have for the past ten years. Currently I am the secretary for the newly formed LWML at XrossWay Lutheran Ministries.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
I am a wife, a mother of two adult daughters, a grandmother of four, and a veteran of the United States Air Force. I have an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Secretarial Studies from Delta College in Michigan and the same degree in Bookkeeping from the College of Southern Idaho along with several bookkeeping certificates.
I have been a Lutheran all my adult life after being baptized one month before marrying my husband, Paul Long, a lifelong Lutheran. Adult confirmation followed several years later in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). When we moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, in June 1992, we felt the long drive to Nampa to attend the WELS congregational worship services was becoming a burden for us. We then transferred our membership to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Twin Falls. After a few years, I joined the LWML group and was elected as the Vice President.
In 2015 my family and I transferred to XrossWay Lutheran Ministries at the time the congregation was established. During that same year, after completing my bookkeeping degree, Rev. Lutz asked me to serve as the church’s bookkeeper. I continue to fulfill the duties of this position as I have for the past ten years. Currently I am the secretary for the newly formed LWML at XrossWay Lutheran Ministries.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
