Biography

The Rev. Dr. Robin Steinke serves as president and professor of systematic theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. She is the first woman president in the seminary’s 158-year history. Luther Seminary’s mission to educate, witness, and serve have been guiding principles in her leadership.

Prior to joining Luther Seminary, Steinke was the dean of the seminary and associate professor of theological ethics and public life at Gettysburg Seminary in Pennsylvania (now United Lutheran Seminary). She is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and previously served as a financial planner and training manager at American Express Financial Advisors. Prior to her work in finance, she was a middle school band director in Marietta, Georgia. Steinke is a graduate of Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and in 2005 was recognized with the alumna achievement award. She holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, now part of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, and in 2012 was recognized with the distinguished alumna award. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in 1999 and was the graduate student representative to the faculty of divinity. In 2019 she was the Hulsean Preacher at Cambridge and in 2026 was guest preacher in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the admission of women to Selwyn College, Cambridge University.

Steinke’s service to global theological education is an underlying theme that began in 2002 as a representative to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) International Consultation on Diakonia in Malawi and South Africa. In 2010 she began service on the LWF Council and the Executive Committee and chaired the committee on Theology and Ecumenical Relations. She currently chairs the LWF committee on Mutual Responsibility, which is developing the theological grounding and practical strategy for working together across deep differences in the global church.

In June 2026, she was honored by the Association of Theological Schools, the entity that accredits all seminaries and university departments of theology in North America, with the Distinguished Service Award.