Cathedral Staff
Lisa Hackney-James PROVOST
The Very Rev. Lisa Hackney-James (email) joined the staff of St. James Cathedral, Chicago as Sub-Dean in October 2015, and was elected Provost in October 2022. Following a first career as a professional harpist, Lisa was ordained at St. James Cathedral in 2003 and returned to the Diocese of Chicago in 2014 after nearly a decade of ministry in Cleveland Heights, an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Learn more about Lisa.
Steven Balke CANON FOR PASTORAL CARE AND OUTREACH
The Rev. Canon Steven Balke (email) serves as Canon for Pastoral Care and Outreach at the Cathedral. Prior to ordained ministry, Steven was an educator at the Holman Learning Center at Eastern Michigan University and taught Social Studies in the Detroit Public Schools, where he supported the causes of social justice, racial reconciliation, and mental and emotional health care. Learn more about Steven.
Christopher Griffin CANON FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Christopher Griffin (email) joined the Cathedral staff in 2023 as Canon for Community Partnerships. In addition to his position at the Cathedral, he also serves as Vicar of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, where he has served for 13 years. Learn more about Chris.
Brenda Kilpatrick DEACON
Brenda Kilpatrick (email) grew up in Kenosha, WI. For the past twenty-three years she has divided her time between Chicago and Milwaukee, WI. After graduating with a bachelor's and two masters degrees, Brenda accepted a full-time position in the Psychology department at Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. Learn more about Brenda.
Robert Black DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Canon Robert Black (email) directs the administration, finances, communications, and operations of the Cathedral. He was formerly president and CEO of a non-profit media organization that produced weekly television programs about religion for national cable television. Learn more about Robert.
Gilda Valentino DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
Gilda Valentino (email) recently joined the Cathedral staff as Director of Administration and Executive Assistant to the Provost. Originally from Oak Park, she is a career non-profit administrator having supported the provincial leadership of The Redemptorist Missionary Fathers and formerly serving in various capacities at the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. In addition to church administration, Gilda was a manager at a national civil service union and director of operations in the political media space. Drawing inspiration from the arts and a strong supporter of Chicago’s rich cultural offerings, she is a volunteer with the Chicago Architecture Center with a BA in English and Communications from DePaul University. Gilda enjoys painting, container gardening, cooking for friends, exploring neighborhoods and spending time with her extended family, especially her adult daughter. You might find her walking along the lakefront with her rescued miniature poodle, Auggie. Learn more about Gilda.
Stephen Buzard CANON DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Stephen Buzard (email) is the principal musician of the Cathedral, leading, managing, and coordinating the music program. Formerly acting organist and director of music at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York City, Stephen is a graduate of Westminster Choir College and Yale University Institute of Sacred Music. He was named one of the top 20 organists under 30 by The Diapason magazine. Learn more about Stephen.
Christine Price ACCOUNTANT
Christine Price (email) processes disbursements, records financial activities, and prepares the financial statements for the Finance Commission and the Cathedral Chapter. She joined the Cathedral staff in June 2015 and enjoys working with the Summer in the City program and participating in various St. James activities and religious programs. Learn more about Christine.
Jessica McCarthy ASSISTANT OF MUSIC AND MANAGER OF THE CHOIR SCHOOL
Jessica McCarthy (email) joined the Cathedral staff in 2022. In her early years, Jess was a Chorister at the Washington National Cathedral and sang in the Children’s Chorus of Washington (CCW). Jess is currently studying at the Chicago College of Performing Arts seeking her double degree in Music Education and Vocal performance. During her time there, she has been Stage Manager for the Junior/ Senior Opera and performed at the Chicago Symphony Center. Learn more about Jess.
Sree Brahmamdam WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA ASSOCIATE
Sree Brahmamdam (email) is a versatile marketing professional specializing in digital engagement and content at St. James Cathedral. As the Web and Social Media Associate, Sree drives visibility through paid social and digital advertising, web content management, SEO, and email marketing. With a recent Master in Science of Marketing degree from Loyola University's Quinlan School of Business, Sree implements best practices to enhance the Cathedral's online presence and community engagement.
Jacob Perkins INTERN FOR ADMINISTRATION
Jacob Perkins is a Master of Divinity student at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and an Episcopal seminarian at Brent House, the Episcopal Center at the University of Chicago. He completed his undergraduate education in Religious Studies and Accounting at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Originally from Burlington, NC, Jacob has a background in summer camp administration and outdoor education. His academic and personal interests include liturgical history and theology, spending time in the outdoors, monastic spirituality, and correspondence writing with pen pals across the country and world.
Michael Hernandez SEMINARIAN INTERN
Michael "Mike" Hernández is a Master of Public Policy and Master of Divinity candidate at the University of Chicago focusing on urban policy and the role of religion in American public life. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a dual degree in Political Science and Economics in the Honors Program, with minors in English and Urban and Community Studies. On-campus, Michael served as the Student Body President, the Vice-President of the Connecticut Young Democrats and a regular contributor to the Undergraduate Political Review and the student newspaper. Off-campus, Michael has worked on various political campaigns, the U.S. Census, the Stamford Housing Affordability Study, and the historic Afford to Dream Act. His policy interests include urban development as well as promoting civic engagement at the municipal level, which are reflected in his honors thesis. In his personal time, Michael enjoys photography, learning languages, going out for runs and spending time on Long Island Sound with his family. After graduate school, he hopes to serve in the U.S. military, attend law school and enter public service in his hometown. Michael calls Stamford, Connecticut home.
Shaun Bond SENIOR CATHEDRAL SEXTON
Shaun Bond has been working at the cathedral since 2014, having started as a volunteer with the meals ministry. He enjoys the working environment of St. James Commons, and finds it a great blessing to have the opportunity to work with such a wide range of wonderful people.
Virgil Jackson CATHEDRAL SEXTON
