Molly O’Brien has been appointed Interim Coordinator of the Global Episcopal Mission Network to assist GEMN’s Board in fulfilling GEMN’s purpose and achieving its goals.
At a Feb. 9 meeting the Board voted unanimously to appoint O’Brien to the position, and she began her part-time work as Coordinator on Feb. 11. Inquiries can be directed to her at gemn@gemn.org.
“We are delighted that Molly is taking up this ministry,” said GEMN President Titus Presler. “She has the skills, initiative and vision to help GEMN continue to be a vital resource in networking the global mission of the Episcopal Church.”
O’Brien joined the GEMN Board in 2019 and resigned when she became Interim Coordinator. In addition to being Board Secretary, she has been active on the conference, webinar, membership and finance teams of the Board, so she brings broad knowledge of GEMN’s work. She succeeded Karen Hotte, who stepped down Dec. 31 after seven years of staffing the network.
“I hope to be able to build on my relationships with Board members and my knowledge of GEMN’s essential mission to help guide the work of this network going forward,” O’Brien said.
From 2016 through 2020 O’Brien was Administrative Coordinator of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary. In that role she worked to strengthen the seminary’s relationships throughout the Anglican Communion and to equip and empower faith leaders in mission across cultural differences. She has experience in Latin America and as a supporter of the work of Cristosol.
“The GEMN Board is thrilled to welcome Molly to this role,” said GEMN Vice President Grace Burton-Edwards. “Her knowledge of GEMN and the wider landscape of the Anglican Communion, combined with her expert administrative skills, give GEMN excellent leadership in this changing season. We look forward to an exciting online Global Mission Conference in April.”
O’Brien holds a BA in Spanish and anthropology from Smith College, where she also studied abroad at Universidad de Chile. She is currently working on a masters’ degree in public policy at George Mason University. In her previous professional experience, she worked in adult education and workforce development. She taught high school Spanish and had board leadership roles in the cooperative food network in New England, and Vermont in particular.
“I try to stay curious about how I am being called to participate in God’s reconciling mission for the world,” O’Brien said, “and I often find that the answer has to do with environmental and social justice. Growing and sharing food and ensuring equitable access to it are particular interests.”
O’Brien lives in Berwyn, Penn., with her wife, the Rev. Veronika Travis. She is a member of Christ Church, Ithan, and St. Martin’s Church, Radnor, in the Diocese of Pennsylvania.