Emily Sajdak is the Director of Rural Initiatives at Partners for Sacred Places, where she leads programs focused on supporting congregations in rural communities across the United States. In this role, she manages sub-granting programs spanning diverse geographic regions, while developing innovative strategies for new programs and services tailored to rural congregations. Emily regularly represents Partners at external events and engages with diverse stakeholders to advance the mission of supporting sacred places as community assets in rural America. She holds a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Theology from Calvin Theological Seminary, as well as an MA in Public History: Historic Preservation from Southeast Missouri State University.
Courses
Repurposing Sacred Spaces: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Adaptive Reuse
Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 12 - 1pm ET
This panel convenes leading experts to explore innovative adaptive reuse strategies for underutilized faith-based buildings across the United States. Hear from several different perspectives on the critical challenges faced by institutions that are closing or falling into disrepair, in both rural and urban contexts. Discussions will range from the complexities of leveraging historic tax credits to offset developer costs, to how to navigate SEC approval and conversion processes. This session is designed for architects seeking practical, innovative strategies to transform faith structures into vibrant new community assets.