ABOUT

Chris McFarland is driven to develop leaders who are personally and professionally integrated so they can accelerate their gifts and responsibilities to fulfill their mission through healthy teams and culture. A Director with Dr. John Townsend and the Townsend Leadership Program, Chris launched McFarland Crew Leadership in January 2019 with a focus on leader development, organizational culture, and strategy building for businesses, organizations, and events. Chris’ leadership engagement, with entities around the U.S. and internationally, has impacted the experience of 5.3 million people.

 

Prior to McFarland Crew, Chris served eight years as the Executive Vice President at Pulse and seven years as Festival Director for the Luis Palau Association. In these roles, Chris built teams and oversaw all organizational aspects, including board development, budget formation, fundraising, civic and church relations, and ultimately fulfilling his personal mission to set the stage for the evangelist. Over his career, Chris has directed over 50 campaigns, including more than 500 events in 36 states and 11 countries. Clients exist coast to coast as well as internationally. 

 

Coming from his own family business, McFarland Supply, he knows the dynamics of family business, succession and transition, and equally as important, the development of the next generation for a business to thrive. 

 

Chris has faced the joy and challenge of his own development, and this fuels his joy to invest personally in others, particularly a new generation of leaders, for their success. Key coaching points for Chris include the importance of attuning to your team’s needs, the necessity of crucial conversations, and the significance of taking time to plan well to benefit you and your team. Most importantly, he delivers a model that engages the character and competence of leaders, developing those areas through a grace, truth, and time model. 

 

Chris holds a degree in business management, a master’s degree in New Testament, and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the Townsend Institute. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the Townsend Leadership Group. Chris lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Jami, their two children, Elle and Lincoln, as well as their French Bulldog – THOR!