Dr Kate Harrison Brennan to take new role in leadership for Civil Society program

After almost five years of service as CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries, Dr Kate Harrison Brennan has accepted a new role at another philanthropic organisation to lead a Civil Society program. The move builds on Kate’s sense of calling to tackle cycles of disadvantage through practical and public engagement. This was a passion she brought to ADM, one she had demonstrated previously in her professional and academic work.

Since coming to ADM in 2015, Kate led the team to fulfil ADM’s enduring mission with a renewed vision: to raise up women with theological formation for practical and public engagement for the next generation and the one after that.

Not only has Kate developed a whole-of-organisation approach to innovation and impact, but Kate’s leadership has enabled ADM to expand from two foundation programs to 13, all seeking shared long-term Kingdom outcomes for women and children in Sydney, across the nation and throughout the world.

“Kate built the ADM team necessary to reinforce our outward focus of gospel work,” said Rev. Jenni Stoddart, Chair of ADM’s Board of Directors. “It is with regret that the Board accepted her resignation, yet we delight with her in this next opportunity she’ll have to bring about just solutions for our most vulnerable.”

Under Kate’s leadership, ADM re-established its Mercy & Justice and Public Engagement ministries. Through a fresh approach to apologetics, the 128-year-old organisation has raised up new cohorts of women for public engagement at the intersection of Christian faith and public life while providing new program models. Numerous Christ-centred organisations and churches have begun to rely on, and glean from, ADM’s leadership in these areas.

“This was a difficult decision because I feel so privileged to serve God and so many faithful women through our work at ADM,” Harrison Brennan said. “I’ll be sad to leave the ADM team, whom I’ve been so proud to work alongside to see Christian women flourish in Kingdom work.”

In her new role, Kate will lead the organisation’s work to open and support conversations about the nature of disadvantage in Australia, challenging ideas about the cycles of disadvantage, in order to change the potential for collaboration and its impact. 

“In light of COVID-19 and the unprecedented social and economic challenge it presents to us all, civic responsibility in Australia will be tested, as well as the capacity of the social sector to respond to rapidly changing disadvantage,” Kate said. “As a result, a diversity of actors will need to collaborate so that Australians can challenge disadvantage and realise their potential as we rebuild.” Kate looks forward to being part of the foundation’s contribution to that end.

“We are grateful to Kate for her hard work and vision and pray for her as she undertakes her new role,” Stoddart said. “We ask for your prayers as the Board commences a search process to find our next CEO. In the interim, Mrs Maryanne Davis will continue serving as Acting CEO. We have every confidence God will continue the good work of Anglican Deaconess Ministries in serving others and helping women flourish.”