FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2025
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) is pleased to announce the hiring of three new staff members whose gifts and experience will strengthen the agency’s work for gender equity. The new team members join GCSRW as the agency celebrates the retirement of Becky Posey Williams, longtime senior director for sexual ethics and advocacy, and the new local church appointment of the Rev. Dr. Denise Smartt Sears, who served as GCSRW’s director of leadership development and accountability.
Rev. Dr. Tyler Schwaller, an ordained deacon in the Iowa Conference, will join GCSRW as Director of Sexual Ethics on July 14. He brings extensive experience as a supportive presence for individuals who disclose injustice and as a knowledgeable thought-partner for persons discerning what justice requires. Schwaller currently serves as Student Equity Officer for Portland Public Schools (Portland, ME), where he manages reports of harassment and discrimination, mediates conflicts, and oversees restorative practices and policy compliance for seventeen schools.
Schwaller previously served on GCSRW’s Board of Directors from 2008–2016, where he chaired the Legislative Committee and represented the agency at General Conference.
Reflecting on his new role, Schwaller shared, “I love that GCSRW’s mission is to challenge the church. It is hard work to make things right when harm occurs. No one wants to carry out complaint procedures, but even more, no one wants to go to worship or work and be harassed or abused, and no one wants to agonize over whether it will be better to keep silent or speak up. GCSRW exists to ensure that no one faces these challenges alone. To those who experience harm, I am here to help you know that support and redress are possible. This is our collective responsibility.”
The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, GCSRW’s general secretary affirmed, “Tyler’s experience and gifts are grounded in humility and a ministry of authentic presence. He knows how to listen and journey with survivors as they are empowered to name what they need for their own healing. I believe he embodies our United Methodist vision to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.”
Rev. Katrena King, a provisional deacon in the Louisiana Conference, will join GCSRW as Director of Monitoring and Resource Development beginning August 4. King previously served as Executive Director of the Leadership Institute of Acadiana, crafting curricula and managing programs to strengthen leadership skills in others. She also serves as a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist for the Louisiana Conference and adjunct faculty at Purdue University Global.
As a member of the GCSRW Board, King co-chaired the Legislative Task Force for the 2020/2024 General Conference, where she helped develop, revise, and pass 10 pieces of legislation.
“I’m excited to join GCSRW’s staff because of the alignment between my passion and GCSRW’s mandate,” King said. “I’m a strong believer in justice work, and while that looks different in various contexts, it really comes down to helping others understand that they are valued children of God. GCSRW addresses that work by starting with girls and women, and I’m continually inspired by that.”
York Arnold added, “Katrena brings a wide range of experience leading diverse groups of people to strengthen their own leadership skills and learn from others with differing perspectives. Her ability to develop and share resources that can deepen our awareness of where we can lean further into the values of our faith will enable us to better create the Beloved Community and empower women to have full equity within the worldwide United Methodist Church.”
Rev. Kelli Hitchman-Craig, an ordained elder in the Alabama-West Florida Conference, will begin her role as Director of Leadership Development and Community Engagement on August 14. Hitchman-Craig is currently Associate Pastor at Auburn United Methodist Church and serves as Monitoring Chair for the Alabama-West Florida Conference COSROW.
A lifelong United Methodist, Hitchman-Craig understands the importance of revitalizing local COSROW ministries and equipping churches for transformative ministry.
"I am honored and excited to be part of the team at GCSRW! I believe in the work of the United Methodist Church, so to join the efforts of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women is a dream come true.” Hitchman-Craig, continued, “I’m bringing sparkle and joy into my work of supporting annual conferences, churches, and women as we live into our shared vision of full and equal participation within the total life and mission of the Church. I can’t wait to meet you!”
York Arnold affirmed, “Kelli is gregarious and engaging! She is passionate about equipping local churches with the best possible resources for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. She reminds us to make sure GCSRW, and other agencies never lose sight of the needs of parishioners, congregations, and annual conferences, but instead calls us to center local churches needs in the development of our resources and annual conference engagement.”
York Arnold shared her vision for the new team.
“A top priority for me as General Secretary is to build a dynamic and strong team that can carry forward the work of GCSRW for years to come. I want experts in their fields of focus with a track record for being deeply committed to the work of empowering women within the full life of The United Methodist Church. I also want a diverse, cohesive team that will have chemistry along with deep trust and loyalty. I believe that is exactly what our Interview team has found.” York Arnold continued, “With our new team in place by mid-August we will work to bring creativity and synergy to our mandate to challenge the church for the full and equitable inclusion of lay and clergywomen within our evolving United Methodist Church’s structure.”
The GCSRW Interview team included board members Rev. Gray Southern, Paige Lowery, Rev. Juyeon Jeon, and Rev. April Casperson.
These new staff join LeeAnn Goldman, director of office administration; Collin Johansson, social media specialist; and Royya James, director of communications. Together, they will gather for an in-person staff retreat in August for team building and to set priorities for the remainder of 2025 and 2026.
“As this new season begins, we thank Becky and Denise for their faithful service and ministry at GCSRW and welcome Tyler, Katrena and Kelli as they bring experience and deep connection to the mission of challenging the Church toward full and equal participation for women,” shared York Arnold.
About the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church. GCSRW helps the church recognize every person – clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children – as full and equal parts of God’s human family. They believe that a fully engaged and empowered membership is vital to The United Methodist Church’s mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Learn more at GCSRW.org.
Media Contact:
Royya James rjames@gcsrw.org