Kathleen Thomas-Sano

Kathleen Thomas-Sano
Associate General Secretary

I am a third generation Korean American on my mother's side and a native of Hawaii. In addition to advocating on issues affecting all racial/ethnic minority constituencies, my work also relates particularly to Asian American and Pacific Islander concerns. There are currently ten Asian American ethnic sub-groups and four Pacific Islander ethnic sub-groups represented in our church; most reside in the Western Jurisdiction. I get excited when I see Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders challenging racism and discrimination and making decisions that will make a positive difference in their lives. I also believe that we need to work inter-ethnically to understand and cooperate with one another. I believe my work with the Commission can help make some of those changes.

Kathy is Associate General Secretary of the General Commission on Religion and Race with primary responsibility for Constituency Services, Asian American/Pacific Islander Constituency Concerns and GCORR’s work and relationships in the Western Jurisdiction. She joined our staff in 2000.

Prior to coming to the Commission, Kathy served nearly four years as Executive Director of the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists (NFAAUM) (1996-2000). She was also:

a consultant to the Western Jurisdiction Inter-Ethnic Coordinating Committee (1985-2000);
Associate Director and Acting Director of the California-Nevada Conference Council on Ministries (1980-1985);
Associate Director and Acting Director of the Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies (PACTS) (1975-1984); and
A Congregational Development and United Methodist Development Fund staff member of the General Board of Global Ministries (1967-1975).

Some of Kathy’s volunteer work has included serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Pasadena Symphony Women's Committee Holiday Lock-In; Board Member, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (1986-92); Board Member, General Council on Ministries (1976-84); Board Member, National Council of Churches (1976-84); Secretary, Wendy Yoshimura Fair Trial Committee. She is currently a member of Harris Memorial UMC, Honolulu, HI.

Kathy is Korean American. Her mother is Korean and father Irish-Welsh. She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, raised in Aiea, Hawaii and attended schools in Hawaii and Wisconsin. She is married to Bishop Roy Isao Sano, who retired as an active bishop of The United Methodist Church in August 2000, after serving eight years each in the Denver and Los Angeles areas. She has three stepchildren and two grandchildren. Her hobbies include sewing, needlework, walking, cooking and reading.

Kathleen Thomas-Sano

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