Our Staff

The racially and ethnically diverse staff of the General Commission on Religion and Race offers considerable talents, expertise, wisdom and conviction to help lead The United Methodist Church in its pursuit of racial justice, inclusiveness and reconciliation. Aided by many years of experience and leadership in the denomination, we serve in partnership with the Church at all levels: nationally, jurisdictionally, alongside annual conferences, local churches, general agencies, theological schools and racial/ethnic caucuses.

Among our executive staff, and with support from our administrative staff, we share ministry roles as consultants, trainers, teachers, preachers, mediators, monitors, representatives, communicators and most of all, advocates of justice and ambassadors of reconciliation. We are eager to serve Christ through our service to Christ’s church. Please let us know how we can help you.

Executive Staff

Erin M. Hawkins General Secretary Phone: (202) 495-2941. FAX: (202) 495-4926 Email: ehawkins@gcorr.org

Erin leads the development and articulation of the vision of antiracism and diversity, which are at the core of the mission of The United Methodist Church. She also oversees planning, administration and evaluation of GCORR’s work, in concert with board members, and collaborates with bishops and other general secretaries to pursue denominational goals of racial/ethnic inclusiveness.  Read more

Assistant General Secretary

The Rev. Dr. Barbara R. I. Isaacs  Assistant General Secretary for: Education Institutional Development White Constituency Anti-Racism Concerns Northeastern Jurisdiction Phone: (202) 495-2946. FAX: (202) 495-4923 Email: bisaacs@gcorr.org

Barbara provides executive staff support for the internal operations of the agency, including finance, information technology (IT) and program-related grants. Within GCORR’s strategic vision, Barbara addresses the need for more effective engagement of the United Methodist Church’s White constituency as partners in the work of dismantling racism and promoting cultural inclusiveness. She also focuses on development of the General Commission on Religion and Race National Training Academy, in partnership with connectional partners, which will give laity and clergy opportunities to become certified anti-racism trainers. This certification program will provide racial justice trainers for deployment among annual conferences and other connectional groups.   Read more

Ms. Kathleen Thomas-Sano Assistant General Secretary for: Constituency Services Asian American/Pacific Islander Constituency Concerns Western Jurisdiction Phone: (202) 495-2944. FAX: (202) 495-4921 Email: kthomas-sano@gcorr.org

Rev. Dr. Eliezér Valentín-Castañón Assistant General Secretary for:   Advocacy Hispanic/Latino Constituency Concerns South Central Jurisdiction Phone: (202)495-2945. FAX: (202) 495-4922 Email: evalentin@gcorr.org

Eliezér works for the creation and implementation of an anti-racist agenda for the church and for society. He is responsible for GCORR’s Dismantling Racism Education and Training Program and for development of an anti-racism curriculum. He also provides training on monitoring, racism in public education, and Wesleyan theology and history; and he speaks around the country on the impact of racism on the history and current controversy about immigration, including anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Eliezér provides support, advocacy, resources and leadership for Hispanic/Latino ministries, concerns and affiliated groups in The United Methodist Church and monitors the South Central Jurisdiction’s efforts to create and implement a truly inclusive and anti-racist community. Together with the rest of GCORR’s staff, he works to implement a denominational strategy for the dismantling of racism in church and society.  Read more

Ms. Suanne Ware-Diaz Assistant General Secretary for:     Monitoring and Research Native American Constituency Concerns North Central Jurisdiction Phone: (202) 495-2943. FAX: (202) 495-4920 Email:  sware-diaz@gcorr.org

Suanne oversees monitoring of the status of racial/ethnic diversity and inclusiveness among United Methodist annual (regional) conferences, general agencies, affiliated theological schools and other connectional entities. Monitoring and research entail gathering, analyzing and reporting information and insights about the Church’s inclusiveness in its leadership, ministries, policies and practices. Suanne also trains and engages persons around the connection to monitor General and Jurisdictional Conferences as well as their own annual conferences.

Suanne further relates to Native American constituents, ministries, communities and organizations affiliated with The United Methodist Church, serving as a resource, advocate and liaison to GCORR. She also relates to commissions on Religion and Race in the North Central Jurisdiction assisting them with training, resources and networking to achieve their inclusiveness goals.  Read more

Assistant  General Secretary

Ms. Jeneane Jones Assistant General Secretary for:   Public Media Relations Black Constituency Concerns Southeastern Jurisdiction Phone: (202) 495-2949. FAX: (202) 495-4924 Email: jjones@gcorr.org

Jeneane works with GCORR’s staff, connectional partners and constituents to produce and enhance communications and marketing outcomes that help advance the anti-racism and inclusiveness mission and ministry of the General Commission on Religion and Race. Her work includes supporting and advocating for the concerns of the denomination’s black constituency, including its leadership, caucuses and ministry initiatives, and of the Southeastern Jurisdiction.  Read more

Assistant  General Secretary

Ms. Frances Jett Roberts Assistant General Secretary for Administration and Human Resources General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) and General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). Phone: (202) 488-5658. FAX: (202) 488-1617 Email: froberts@umc-gbcs.org

Frances serves as staff for GCORR's Personnel Committee as Human Resources Director. She plans and conducts human resources-related training, keeps staff informed of and in compliance with denominational personnel policies, and is administrator of Information Technology for Frances for both GCORR and the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). Read more. 

Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Wesley Paulson Chief Financal Officer General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) and General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). Phone: (202) 488-5625. FAX: (202) 488-5671 Email: wpaulson@umc-gbcs.org

Wesley oversees the business operations of the Commission and works with the General Commission of Finance and administration (GCFA) to develop GCORR’s budget. Read more.

 

Administrative Support Staff

Ms. Michelle Tello Financial Services Assistant  Phone: (202) 495-2951. FAX: (202) 495-4928 Email: mtello@gcorr.org

Michelle assists the treasurer with payment and recording of invoices and accounts, coordinates the Minority Group Self-Determination Fund application process and helps manage the agency’s database and IT issues and solutions. She also helps associate general secretaries in preparing for major events.  Read more  

Executive Assistant to the General Secretary

Mr. Paul Kim Executive Assistant to the General Secretary Phone: (202) 495-2941. FAX: (202) 495-4926 Email: pkim@gcorr.org

Paul serves as the Executive Assistant to the General Secretary of GCORR. He is the primary contact for the General Secretary in all matters and manages the day-to-day operation of the General Secretary’s Office.
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Administrative  Assistant

Ms. Shannon Martin Office Manager/Administrative Assistant   Phone: (202) 495-2954. FAX: (202) Email: smartin@gcorr.org

Shannon Martin assists staff members of GCORR working in the areas of communications and constituency services. She also coordinates GCORR’s grants program, office operations and meeting planning.  Read more