Life Pacific University welcomed a familiar face home this week when Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, President and Owner of In-N-Out Burger, visited chapel to share her personal story of faith, resilience, and what it means to lead with humility in the marketplace.

Snyder, who was born at San Dimas Hospital and raised in nearby Glendora, drew a warm welcome from students and staff as LPU President Dr. Angie Richey opened the conversation acknowledging the deep local ties between Snyder and the university community.

“Before you were born, you have been part of the legacy of In-N-Out,” Dr. Richey told Snyder. “You are hometown to us, you’re family to us.”

A ‘Why’ Rooted in Faith

Snyder, who oversees 45,000 associates across In-N-Out’s 435 locations in 10 states, was candid that her motivation for leading the iconic family brand goes far beyond the business itself.

“I just want to be used by Him,” Snyder said. “You think of it like your father; you just want to make Him proud. The ‘why,’ of course, is Him. And however I can be used, that’s just the willingness piece. Being willing to do whatever He wants.”

She described In-N-Out as a “huge blessing” and a “big responsibility and a stewardship,” one she takes seriously while striving to make it “as fun as possible for everyone.”

The Meaning Behind the Bible Verses

Snyder continued a tradition started by her Uncle Rich of printing Bible verses on In-N-Out packaging, and she has added several of her own. Each verse, she explained, carries personal significance.

The Proverbs reference on the French fry container speaks to her own journey of falling and rising again in her faith. “You can’t fall if you’re not standing,” she said, recalling an insight that was pivotal for her. “You just have to get back up, and that’s what I did with God’s grace.”

The Luke 6:35 verse about loving enemies on the coffee cups reflects a harder-won lesson. “That verse became very real for me early in life,” Snyder said, describing experiences of betrayal from people she trusted. “I just have to remember to love our enemies, bless them and not curse them, and let God have the rest.”

The Isaiah 9:6 on holiday cups she chose because of its prophetic significance. “A lot of people don’t realize how many prophecies there were in the Old Testament about Him,” she said. “I thought it was appropriate.”

Leading Through Vulnerability

When Dr. Richey asked how personal faith shapes leadership under pressure, Snyder emphasized that humility and transparency, not polish, have defined her approach.

“I don’t present myself as a polished business person,” she said with a laugh. “For me it’s just trusting God and being a vessel He can use. Through humility, that has changed so much of my leadership; being very vocal about my weaknesses and failures created a different space at work. It fostered that type of openness and allowed a lot of others to feel like they could share those things too.”

Shaped by Loss and Resilience

Snyder did not shy away from the painful chapters of her story. She lost her father at 17, a loss she described as “life-crippling,” and acknowledged that grief drove decisions she later had to reckon with.

“It was the beginning of a very rough season,” she said. “A lot of years were marked by failure, but then His grace was able to cover it and use all of it for good. I feel like I can minister to a lot of different people because of the things I went through in those years.”

Giving Back: Foundations Born from Pain

That redemptive thread runs through the charitable work Snyder and her husband Sean have built. She shared the stories behind several of her ministry, Army of Love, and the two Foundations she and Sean founded: Slave 2 Nothing, and the newer HIS EYES Foundation.

Army of Love, focused on discipleship and personal ministry, was born during one of her lowest moments. “I just felt like if I couldn’t be used by God, my life was truly a waste,” she said. “I cried out and said, ‘God, I just want to be used.'”

Slave 2 Nothing, which addresses addiction and human trafficking, grew from personal loss, as both she and her husband lost brothers to addiction. HIS EYES Foundation was named in honor of her late brother-in-law Evan, who had a heart for reaching homeless and hurting people. “He could look at them and see their potential; he didn’t see the dirty person we pass by,” Snyder said. “The idea is that you see them through God’s eyes.”

The two foundations complement the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, which was founded by her Grandmother Esther, Uncle Rich and mom Lynda.

Advice for the Next Generation of Christian Leaders

Snyder spoke directly to LPU’s students, many of whom are preparing for careers in business, ministry, counseling, missions, and the arts, with a message about what she believes matters most.

“It’s the surrender to God and the Holy Spirit,” she said. “That surrender lets go of our selfish ambitions and brings us back to His plan, not my plan. When we’re completely reliant on Him and surrendered and listening, and going ‘I want your Spirit,’ we can prepare and plan, but ultimately, your will be done.”

She also pushed back on the idea that Christian leaders must choose between conviction and compassion. “There’s a misconception that Christians are just these super soft, passive pushovers, and that’s not supposed to be the case,” she said. “Jesus was not that. You stand for righteousness and you stand for what’s right, and if that means offending people, oh well.”

At the same time, she stressed the importance of wise counsel and community. “There’s no shame in that for me; I know I don’t have it all,” she said. “Having strong believers around you, that’s the body of Christ.”

What’s Next for In-N-Out

In a moment that delighted the crowd, Snyder confirmed that In-N-Out will be expanding to New Mexico. She also teased a major celebration coming up for the chain’s 80th anniversary in 2028, saying it would be a large event.

Fire Round and a Final Prayer

The chapel session closed with a rapid-fire round, where Snyder shared that the one word she’d use to define great leadership is “honesty,” the habit she’d recommend to young leaders is “humility,” and the leadership principle she has never compromised is “love.” Her best marriage advice in a sentence? “Selflessness.”

She also revealed her go-to In-N-Out order: “Double meat, extra spread, pickles, chopped chilies only and a fry with a little extra salt.”

Dr. Richey closed by inviting Snyder to pray over the LPU community. Snyder prayed that students would be “uncompromised when it comes to His word,” fully surrendered to God’s direction, and “sent out into different communities to change the world in Your name.”

“Thank you for blessing us,” Dr. Richey told Snyder. “It means the world.”