Elaine White Named Executive Officer of The Upper Room

The Upper Room is pleased to announce that Elaine White has been named the organization’s new Executive Officer. 

The role — a shift from the traditional “Publisher” — was defined collaboratively with leadership from the board and staff to reflect where The Upper Room is headed. Rev. Jeffrey M. Campbell, who has served as interim leader of The Upper Room since 2024 while also serving as General Secretary and CEO of Discipleship Ministries, explained, “Although publishing is certainly a big part of what we do at The Upper Room, we felt the shift in title reflects the current needs of The Upper Room toward sustaining a strong business model that serves a global ecumenical customer, with the creation of excellent spiritual formation resources.” 

Elaine brings a combination of qualities that staff identified as essential for the organization’s future: disciplined business acumen, a deep grounding in Christian spiritual formation, and genuine care for the people she leads. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of The Upper Room’s Sales, Marketing, and Fulfillment team, playing a key role in strengthening internal systems, elevating customer care, and growing sales and subscriptions. Rev. Campbell noted that “at the heart of Elaine’s leadership is service,” and that she will help The Upper Room “continue to center those that we serve in everything we do.” 

With decades of experience in customer care, operations, and sales, Elaine previously worked with T-Mobile, Asurion, and Illumifin Corporation, and began her career at The United Methodist Publishing House. A native of Nashville, she is a graduate of Tennessee State University and often credits much of what she learned about business and leadership to working alongside her father in his construction and masonry contracting business.  

In her new role, Elaine will provide leadership across The Upper Room as we continue our longstanding work of publishing resources and providing programs and experiences that nurture spiritual formation, while serving a growing global, ecumenical community. 

Please join us in welcoming Elaine as The Upper Room’s new leader. We look forward with gratitude and hope to this new chapter in the life and ministry of The Upper Room. 

The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginnings as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries. Visit UpperRoom.org to learn more.