Brad Neary, Heritage Program Director, Announces Upcoming Retirement

We celebrate alongside Brad Neary his retirement from The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program in July 2026.

Brad’s contributions to the Heritage Program–and to Saint John’s University–are varied and significant. In all his efforts to share The Saint John’s Bible far and wide, Brad spoke from his heart about the project’s importance around the world. His passion for the work had an immeasurable impact on every institution and individual he connected with the Heritage Program.

“I am profoundly grateful to have both launched and concluded my 45-year professional career at my beloved alma mater—a place that has shaped my vocation and my life in enduring ways,” said Neary. “The opportunities I’ve been given to support the University President, to partner with generous benefactors in advancing vital initiatives, and to share The Saint John’s Bible with communities around the world, have allowed me to contribute to something far greater than myself through work that will resonate for generations.”

“What I will cherish most,” continued Neary, “are the extraordinary colleagues, donors, and Heritage Edition stewards whose passion and generosity have inspired and sustained me along the way. It has been a true privilege to be part of this remarkable community and to help carry forward its living legacy.”

The National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St David’s Cathedral in Wales, as well as Lambeth Palace Library and the Royal Library and Archives in England are just a few of the many institutions that are connected with The Saint John’s Bible because of Brad’s work. Seamlessly bridging sales and marketing with mission and vision, his attention to detail and care for the work are exemplary.

In the words of one of his stewards, The Rev. Noah Van Niel at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Virginia, “It is a joy and delight to be introduced to Brad, and his magnetic spirit and passion for this beautiful work. Brad really is remarkable in the way he presents the Bible, making it both awe-inspiringly transcendent and entirely relatable,” said The Rev. Van Niel. “In capturing both of those poles, Brad expresses the core purpose of this work. That mystery of the transcendent/immanent dichotomy is hard to capture and Brad does it brilliantly.”

Elaine and Bruce Culver are another two benefactors of The Saint John’s Bible that Neary welcomed into the fold. Since meeting Neary in May 2022, the three have worked together to place Heritage and Apostles Editions of The Saint John’s Bible in many institutions around the world, from the Culver’s home parishes to placements as prestigious as The Royal Library and Royal Archives at Windsor Palace in Windsor, England.

“Brad anticipates even the smallest detail and leaves nothing to chance,” said Elaine Culver. “He knows The Saint John’s Bible thoroughly and eloquently explains how to read and interpret the text and illuminations. With his friends, many of whom have known him first as his clients, he is kind, generous, and great fun. Bruce and I wish him all the best!”

Neary’s connection to Saint John’s University dates back to 1977, when Neary attended the University as an undergraduate. After graduating with a B.A. in Psychology in 1981, Brad served as the Assistant to the President of SJU until 1984. He then earned a master’s degree in human resources and industrial relations from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Afterwards, he pursued a 20-year career in human resources before returning to Saint John’s in 2008 as a senior development officer. In 2013, he split his work between institutional advancement and the Heritage Program, and shifted full-time to the Heritage Program in 2022.

“Working for the Heritage program has never been a job, in the traditional sense, for Brad Neary. It’s been a labor of love,” said Rob Culligan, VP for Advancement at Saint John’s University. “In so many ways, it’s been a natural extension of who he is, and an outward manifestation of his faith life and his commitment to the mission of The Saint John’s Bible, ‘to ignite the spiritual imagination of people throughout the world.’”

Indeed, Neary’s passion for allowing more people to experience and be impacted by The Saint John’s Bible has held strong since his initial introduction to the work. Please join us in celebrating Neary and wishing him well in all his future endeavors.

“Brad is one of a kind, to be sure!” says Rev. Dr. John Ross, Executive Director. “I’ll miss him as both a friend and a colleague.”

The Saint John’s Bible: Ignite the Spiritual Imagination

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