Staff Bios

The Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios

Job Title: Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California

The Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios is the Ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California. He was ordained and consecrated Bishop Coadjutor on May 4, 2024. Bishop Austin assumed the role of Bishop Diocesan on August 1, 2024, following the retirement of our eighth bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Marc Handley Andrus. Before Bishop Austin’s election in December 2023, he served as the rector of St. Paul’s Within the Walls Church in Rome.

Read the election announcement.

The Ven. Miguel Bustos

Job Title: Archdeacon & Director of the School for Deacons

The Ven. Miguel Bustos was installed as Archdeacon of the Diocese of California on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Grace Cathedral. Earlier that month, he began his role as Director of the School for Deacons. He also serves as Cathedral Deacon at Grace Cathedral and Manager for Racial Justice and Reconciliation for The Episcopal Church.

Bustos is one of the diocese’s two archdeacons, along with the Ven. Cn. Nina Pickerrell. The archdeacons coordinate the work of the diocese’s deacons, help active and retired deacons stay connected, and serve as chaplains for the Bishop of California.

As Director of the School for Deacons, Bustos works closely with the Ven. Hailey McKeefry, Director of Deacons Formation at Bexley Seabury.

Bustos was ordained a deacon in the Diocese of California on December 4, 2021, at Grace Cathedral. Born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, he continues to live there with his partner, Alexander Rivera, in the house he grew up in.

Sarah Crawford

Job Title: Payroll and Benefits Coordinator

Sarah Crawford is a San Francisco Bay Area native and lifelong Episcopalian. She grew up active in her home parish, St. Paul’s, Oakland, where she also participated in Diocesan youth ministry programs and summer camps.

The Rev. Canon Laura Eberly

Job Title: Canon for Congregations

The Rev. Laura Eberly serves as DioCal’s first Canon for Congregations. This role supports congregational vitality and viability, making sure churches have what they need to live out their mission. Her core responsibilities include consultation and facilitation; developing tools, trainings, and resources; and supporting collaborative peer networks.

Laura is a multi-vocational deacon, facilitator, and community organizer with twenty years’ experience weaving between the church and social justice movements. Her consistent call has been to build healing, nourishing communities and the infrastructure to sustain them. She thrives on creating compassionate, honest spaces that foster growth, real relationship, and sustainable change.

Laura holds a BA and MSW from the University of Chicago and a Certificate of Anglican Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She is a trainer in the College for Congregational Development and with CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. Laura lives in Concord with her wife Jane, two young kids, and an intentional community of chosen family. When she’s not working or parenting, she’s probably on a trail or tinkering around the house.

Contact Laura for:

• Congregational Life & Development
• Missions
• Deaneries 
• Mutual Ministry Reviews
• Vestry and Bishop’s Committee Consultation and Training
• Resources on congregational vitality, change management, and conflict resolution

Shari Gonzales

Job Title: Administrative Manager

Shari Gonzales was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and has worked with the Episcopal Impact Fund as an Administrative Manager for over 20 years. She is passionate about her work and loves seeing the positive impact it has on the many people and communities served.

Shari now serves as a full-time Operations and Finance Associate for the Diocese. In this role, she supports both financial and administrative functions, bringing strong organizational skills and attention to detail to her work.

When she’s not managing spreadsheets, accounting tasks, and office operations, Shari enjoys traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.

Contact Shari for:

• Accounts Payable
• Office Operations
• Gift Planning Records
• Donation Processing and Management
• Information Technology

Kieran King

Job Title: Communications & Brand Director  

Kieran King joined Episcopal Impact Fund, where she oversees the brand and leads communications and design initiatives, in September 2020. Kieran received a B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley and has more than twenty-five years experience in marketing, communications, and design. This is her first foray into the non-profit arena and is thrilled to be making an impact.

The Rev. Canon Bob Kossler

Job Title: Interim Canon for Operations and Finance

Canon Stephanie Martin Taylor

Job Title: Canon for Diocesan Communications and Working Group Head for Communications  

Stephanie Martin Taylor has directed the Diocese of California’s Communications Working Group since 2017. She was installed as Canon for Diocesan Communications in May 2022 at a special Evensong service at Grace Cathedral. Stephanie’s diocesan leadership roles also include heading the bishop’s Sustainability Core Team, producing the annual Diocesan Convention, and serving on the Diocesan COVID-19 Response Team. Prior to her arrival at the diocese, Stephanie spent eleven years as a news anchor and reporter for KQED-FM in San Francisco and previously worked at several other television and radio news outlets around the country. Over the course of her broadcasting career, she won numerous awards for her coverage of topics that included politics, housing, religion, and Iraq, where, in 2005, she reported from the war zone. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Stephanie holds an M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University and a B.A. in History and French from Colgate University. She and her husband, David, live in San Francisco, where they attend St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Contact Stephanie for:

• Stories, events, and announcements for DioCal News and Events
• Media relations strategy
• Crisis communications
• Storytelling workshops
• Diocesan Convention
• Disaster preparedness
• Episcopal Asset Map updates

Metoyer has more than a decade of experience working on equity and justice issues in the Diocese of California and The Episcopal Church. He previously served as diocesan liaison to multicultural ministries and has participated in various national convocations, including those of the Union of Black Episcopalians and Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries. His ministry has included roles as interim vicar, rector, and regional dean.Metoyer was Province VIII convener of multicultural ministries, member of The Episcopal Church Executive Council, has served as a deputy to General Convention, and five time deputy to General Convention. He helped organize the GENESIS gathering of church planters and a co convener of the 2026 Province VIII Creation Care Conference. He frequently speaks and serves as a panelist on congregational development and multicultural ministries for The Episcopal Church.

His recent article, “Our History Teaches, Not Harms Us: Reflections on Black History Month,” was published by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Racial Reconciliation.

Metoyer grew up in northern New England and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College and a Master of Divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He continues to serve on educational boards in San Francisco and Vermont. He continues to ride Amtrak to his meetings.

Contact Eric for:

• Anti-Racism Training & Racial Justice
• Creation Care and Environmental Justice
• Disability and Deaf Access
• General Convention
• Global Mission/Companion Diocese
• LGBTQ+ Ministries and Pride
• Multicultural Commission
• Public Witness
• Transgender Taskforce

Canon Denise Obando

Job Title: Canon for Compliance

Denise is a cradle Diocese of California Episcopalian and has been a member of the diocesan staff since October 2008.

Contact Denise for:

• Safe Church Praesidium Academy online courses & records
• Live Scan fingerprinting / background checks
• Parochial reports
• Report of congregational elections
• Clergy reports
• Letters Dimissory
• License to Officiate
• Diocesan Convention registration
• Clergy records / Ordination records
• Vocational Hub Support

The Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes

Job Title: Canon to the OrdinaryThe Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes serves as the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of California. As chief of diocesan staff, she assists Bishop Austin K. Rios in establishing effective systems that advance the diocese’s strategic vision. This includes supporting our clergy, lay leaders, and congregations throughout the Bay Area.

Previously, Canon Reyes served as Canon for Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. Prior to entering diocesan ministry, she served as Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Denver, Colorado, and as Associate Rector of Christ Church Episcopal in Savannah, Georgia.

A dedicated leader within the wider Episcopal Church, Reyes has represented the Dioceses of Georgia and Colorado as a General Convention Deputy. Early in her ministry, she was also selected to serve on the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop. Reyes earned her Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and holds a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Agnes Scott College. She is married to Dr. Rudolph Reyes, and they reside in Alameda with their daughter.

Contact Sierra for:

• Clergy Retreat
• Clergy Transitions / Letters of Agreement 
• Diocesan Institutions 
• Misconduct Reporting
• New Clergy Support 
• Regional Deans 
• Remarriage Petitions 
• Retired Clergy Chaplains 
• Strategic Vision Implementation 
• Supply Clergy / Clergy Licensing 

Max Remele

Job Title: Accountant

Max was born and raised in Orange County, California, and later headed north to attend Chico State. After graduating, he spent a decade in San Francisco working with the Diocese. His path eventually led him through Massachusetts and on to Asheville, which he now happily calls home. Max loves the friendships, music, and great beer that come with life in the mountains. An enthusiastic traveler, he’s been fortunate to bike through New Zealand, India, and Vietnam. In 2021, Max returned to the Diocese, continuing his work remotely.

Contact Max for:

The Ven. Canon Nina Pickerrell

Job Title: Archdeacon

The Ven. Canon Nina Pickerrell was ordained in June 1996 in the Diocese of California.  Nina graduated from School for Deacons in 1996 with the St. Stephen’s Award.

Nina lives in the Bayview Hunters Point district of San Francisco. Her home has been in her family for the past 67 years. She served in the military, raised two daughters, and served at Grace Cathedral for the past 23 years. Her ministries have included: Children’s Ministry including annual Vacation Bible School, Senior Programs, Pastoral Care, Eucharistic Visitor, Funerals/Committals, and Columbarium. Outreach Programs have included: Physician’s Organization, Stitching Ministry, Rise Against Hunger, Crab Feed and Thanksgiving Dinner, Mothers’ Day and 50+ Wedding Anniversary Events and Winter Interfaith Shelter Program. Nina is owner and operator of Bayview Mission, a special mission of the Diocese of California. With strong support from many faithful volunteers, Bayview Mission serves its community in a variety of ways including: a Family Infant/Toddler program; Senior, Veteran, and Homeless programs; Annual Christmas Events and Giving Tree; Abundance Community and Foster Home. Bayview Mission has built solid relationships with Cathedral School for Boys, St. Matthew’s Day School, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, St. Francis Episcopal Church, National Charities League, Service Corp, and with many other organizations. On a Diocesan level, Nina has served on the Department of Elders’ Board and the Standing Committee. She is currently a member of the Commission on Ministry. In a pinch, Nina can be found answering the phones at the Cathedral’s receptionist desk. A little humorous? “Yes!”

As a Deacon in the Episcopal Church serving at Grace Cathedral and Bayview Mission has given me the opportunity to spread the Good News of the Gospel. Giving thanks for my presence and my prayer is to remain open to healing for all of God’s children.

Liz Rosenberg

Job Title: Executive Assistant

Liz Rosenberg is a native Californian who joined the Episcopal Diocese of California after serving as Rehearsal Department Coordinator for San Francisco Opera. She has previously worked as a parish administrator and on the bishop’s staff in the Diocese of San Joaquin.

Liz holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from UCLA and a master’s in opera studies from Rice University. An active Episcopalian and member of Holy Innocents in San Francisco, she brings a deep commitment to the Church and is excited to be the newest addition to the team.

Contact Liz for:

• Bishop Appointments & Scheduling
• Bishop’s Visitation Schedule
• Bishop Customaries and Protocols
• Clergy Directory Updates
• Marriage Permissions
• Letters Dimissory Request
• Letters of Good Standing

Elizabeth (Ellie) Simpson

Job Title: Communications Associate

Elizabeth Simpson was raised in the Evangelical church and began attending an Episcopal Church in the Fall of 2019. She works for the Diocese of California (bay area) full-time from her home in Chicago, Illinois. She is an active member along with her spouse Joshua (they, them) at their home church, Church of the Ascension. Elizabeth has served as a Vestry member, is the lead for the Usher ministry, and a volunteer in the Flower guild at her home church, as well as a delegate to the Diocese of Chicago’s Convention and an Alternate to the 2027 General Convention. She also leads Eco DioChicago the diocesan Committee for eco-justice, in the Diocese of Chicago.

Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a faith-driven passion for working with the people of God. Her career in the Marketing & Communications has mainly been in the religious non-profit sector, with a short stint in other work.

Elizabeth’s passions include environmental and justice focus work! As such, you’ll find she is an avid advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and a promoter of Veganism. She was a founding member of the LGBTQIA+ ERG in her previous place of employment. One of her passion projects is Urban Gardening, to provide food and combat poverty in her neighborhood, Rogers Park. She’s a member of the nearby church’s community garden and involved in the community organizing with Protect Rogers Park.

Contact Elizabeth for:

• Website updates for diocal.org or diocalcovention.org
• Diocesan Convention
• DioCal News and Events newsletter event/story submissions
• Consulting on logo, branding, or congregation websites
• Graphic design (designing, printing, the works)
• Assistance with form building in Cognito for diocesan events
• Marketing Strategy (email, social media, web)
• Certificates for diocesan events (confirmations, ordinations)
• Diocesan branding assets (logo, fonts, colors)

Dr. Travis Stevens

Job Title: Vocations Officer

As vocations officer, Travis helps people discern their calls to ministry by coordinating the diocesan discernment process. He works closely with those in discernment from their first steps in the process through ordination, and supports local congregations as well as the Commission on Ministry and Standing Committee.

Before joining diocesan staff, Travis worked at Santa Clara University, Seton Hall University, and Pacific School of Religion, where he taught courses on the history of the devil, lovesickness for God, and pastoral care, among others.