Professor Leonard McMahon has a Doctorate in Theology at the Graduate Theological Union at UC Berkeley, working in spirituality, theology, and political theory. Leonard holds an MA in Religious Studies from UC Santa Barbara and an MDiv from Harvard Divinity School.

With his interest in improving the common good through political theology, spirituality, and pastoral care, Leonard works through his consultancy, Common Ground Dialogue, to bring divergent citizens into deeper conversation for the sake of our democracy. He is deeply concerned about political polarization and draws upon classical spirituality and modern political theory to craft a pastoral approach that attends to both the macrosocial and microsocial aspects of our common life.

Seminary students are entering a world where the increasing media presence of marginalized communities has resulted in a cultural clash between margin and center and the intense political struggle over the direction of our society and the world. In such a world, spirituality and pastoral care are integral to forming leaders who can prioritize the margins while keeping track of those at the center. Leonard agrees with Pacific School of Religion that the future belongs to marginalized communities; he sought a faculty position here because his progressive Christian faith demands he play a role in its mission to create a world where all can thrive.

A longtime member of Glide Memorial Church, Leonard has also ministered in the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association. In addition to his academic studies, he has worked on Capitol Hill and taught English and History in the Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul, South Korea. He is a big fan of the WNBA and enjoys seeing games live whenever possible.