DepartmentsCrowell School of Business
Talbot School of Theology
Center for Faith, Work and Economics
Biola AffiliationsFaculty
Phones(562) 903-4770 (Crowell School of Business)
(562) 903-4814 (Talbot School of Theology)
Websitehttp://helenmitchell.org/

Documents

Degrees

  • M.A., Biblical and Theological Studies, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
  • M.A., Organizational Leadership, Biola University
  • B.S., Marketing, Arizona State University

Biography

Helen M. Mitchell is a strategist, leadership coach, author, and professor who empowers business leaders, pastors, and marketplace employees to align purpose with performance. She integrates decades of executive experience, pastoral ministry, and academic scholarship to catalyze organizational transformation and personal calling.

Beginning her career with AT&T and becoming an Area Vice President at Lucent Technologies by age 30, Helen went on to serve as a licensed minister at Saddleback Church under Pastor Rick Warren, where she architected the Saddleback@Work ministry. She now serves as the Director of the Talbot Center for Faith, Work & Economics where she helps churches and pastors integrate faith, work, and economic wisdom and teaches leadership, ethics, and strategy at Biola University’s Crowell School of Business.

Helen is a recognized voice in the national faith and work movement, known for developing high-potential leaders, guiding churches in Faith@Work strategies, and equipping individuals to bring redemptive impact through their work.

She holds master’s degrees in organizational leadership and theology, and has pursued executive education at Columbia University.

Her areas of expertise include:

- Organizational leadership

- Strategic transformation

- Business ethics

- Organizational psychology

- Employee engagement

- Faith-work integration

- Theology of work

- Women in leadership

- Workplace influence

- Workplace ministry and workplace small groups

Helen’s work bridges the gap between faith and the modern workplace, helping others to not only succeed but lead with purpose, integrity, and lasting impact.


Affiliations

  • Talbot Center for Faith, Work and Economics
  • Convene Corporation, 2017–2024
  • Biola University, Crowell School of Business, La Mirada, Calif., MBA Mentor, 2013–Present
  • Association for Strategic Planning, Irvine, Calif., VP, National Board of Directors, 2005–2008
  • YMCA of Orange County, Board Member, Officer and Secretary, 2003–2008
  • YMCA of Seattle, Board Member, 1999–2000

Awards

  • Honors: Alumni Award – Outstanding Commitment and Excellence, Spring 2015
  • Pastoral License, Saddleback Valley Community Church, Lake Forest, Calif., 2013
  • Honors: Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, Spring 2011

Publications

  • “Organizational Change, Servant Leadership, and Christian Perspective,” Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice, Columbus State University, 2025, https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/sltp/vol12/iss1/2.
  •  "Responding to Disappointment and Betrayal at Work," Mitchell, Helen, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, June 2024, https://doi.org/10.1177/19397909241259957.
  • “The Work Exchange” small group curriculum, www.theworkexchange.org, 2022.
  • "Faith, Work, Calling and Women, Faith, Work, Calling and Vocation," Mitchell, Helen, RightNow Media, 2018. 
  • "Marketplace and The Church, Fulfilling the Church’s Role in Supporting Business Leaders," Mitchell Helen, Ministry Today Magazine, 2015.

Presentations

  • Colorado Christian Business Alliance, 2022.
  • Biola University, Talbot School of Theology Chapel. Presented on "What on Earth Do I Work For?" 2020.
  • Work as Worship, RightNow Media, Dallas, Texas. Presented on "The Sanctity of Work." 2019. 
  • Yorba Linda Friends Church, Women’s Conference. Presented on "What God Thinks of Women." 2018.
  • C.S. Lewis Foundation, Oxford & Cambridge, England. Presented on "The Call to the Marketplace." 2017. 
  • ACTON, Grand Rapids, Mich., Presented on "How Pastors and Believers In The Workplace Together Can
    Change The World." 2016.
  • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Women's Dinner, Fort Worth, Texas. Presented on "Being God’s
    Woman in a Man’s World." 2015. 
  • Saddleback Church Men's Ministry, Lake Forest, Calif. Presented on "The Herd." 2009. 

Research Interests

  • Faith and Work Integration
  • Leadership

Courses

Undergraduate courses at Biola University:

  • Organizational Business Ethics
  • Strategic Management

Graduate courses at Biola University:

  • Biblical Management and Ethics
  • Organizational Change and Leadership
  • Theology of Leadership

Areas of Expertise for Media Interviews

  • Business
  • Ethics
  • Faith-Based Organizations
  • Leadership
  • Para-church (faith-based organizations)
  • Women
  • Workplace Issues
  • Faith at work
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