Mark Elsdon, MBA, M.DIV, lives and works at the intersection of property, money, and meaning as a serial social entrepreneur, strategic executive, and author. He is a national thought leader and speaker on subjects of faith-based property development, impact investing and social enterprise. Mark is the author of We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry. and editor of the book, Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition. Mark holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley; Princeton Theological Seminary; and the University of Wisconsin School of Business. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church, USA and serves as co-founder of RootedGood and principal at Threshold Sacred Development. Mark lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his family.
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.