After 18 years serving the New England Conference, Janis Salesi, the calm, reassuring voice on the other end of many anxious phone calls about pensions or health benefits, retired as Conference Benefits Coordinator as of Oct. 5, 2015.  
  
Many will know Salesi from the pre-retirement seminars she conducted for clergy in the Conference over the years. She served as a resource to clergy, lay employees and retirees regarding eligibility and enrollment procedures for pensions and other benefit plans.

 “Janis has always been wonderful to work with,” said Bill Burnside, Conference Treasurer and Benefits Officer. “She had a level-headed, compassionate and patient approach to the issues facing those she served.  I always knew I could trust her opinions, and I valued her depth of knowledge in the areas for which she was responsible.” 

A resident of Lawrence, MA, Salesi began her work with the Conference in the Episcopal office, and shortly after began also working in the benefits area. In 2000, she became the full-time benefits assistant in Finance and Administration; four years later, she was promoted to benefits coordinator. 

“She became a valued advocate on behalf of clergy, lay employees and retirees to ensure all benefits and considerations due them were received,” said Burnside. “I admired the way she cared for and went the extra mile to help others.”

The New England Conference would like to thank Salesi for her many years of service and dedication. She played an important role in the Conference, and she will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of serving alongside her as well as those for whom she advocated.

As she embarks on this new chapter of her life, we pray that she enjoys some new-found time with her husband, Manny, her grandchildren and all of her family and friends.