Staff & Lay Leaders
Outreach
Kathy Biasi
Outreach Manager
moreContact Kathy
(416) 364-7865 ext *222
As Outreach Program Coordinator, Kathy manages our Friday Drop-In, provides outreach support, oversees volunteers, and heads up the St. James arm of the Faith+Hub network.
Kathy holds a BA in psychology and has an extensive background in the social service/non-profit field; including shelters, second-stage housing, outreach, and other drop-ins.
Kathy joined the Cathedral team in May 2017.
Music
Thomas Bell
Music Director & Organist
moreContact Tom
(416) 364-7865 ext *224
Tom’s early musical education was as a boy chorister at Salisbury Cathedral, England, where in addition to singing for the daily choral services, he played the flute, violin and piano. Following his later musical studies at Durham University, Tom taught music in Oxford and London. During this time, he directed professional instrumental and choral ensembles specializing in early music. He later immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he has lived and worked for nearly thirty years.
Tom has been Music Director at several Anglican churches including St. Peter and St. Simon-the-Apostle, Toronto; St. Jude’s, Oakville; and for ten years at St. Paul’s Bloor Street. Tom is also an experienced teacher, particularly of children. He directed the Mississauga Children’s Choir for sixteen years; under his leadership, the choir won the CBC choral competition and toured internationally. He has also taught music at the Toronto French School for over twenty-five years.
Tom’s choral compositions are published by G.I.A., Oxford University Press, Boosey and Hawkes, Alliance, Hinshaw, and others.
He is married to The Right Reverend Susan, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. They have four wonderful children.
Nathan Jeffery
Associate Organist
moreContact Nathan
(416) 364-7865 ext *224
He has already played for several services at St. James on Sunday afternoons, demonstrating impeccable musicianship, technical skill, and sensitivity to the liturgy. We anticipate a long and fruitful partnership with a talented and charming young church musician.
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries
Karyne Whalen
Children, Youth, and Family Minister
moreContact Karyne
(416) 364-7865 ext *221
Karyne has joined the Cathedral team as the part-time Children, Youth, and Family Minister. She holds a BA in Youth Education & Counselling Studies from Briercrest College and Seminary, Caronport, SK. Karyne’s love for God and church ministry began at a young age growing up in a Baptist church in Oshawa where she taught Sunday School, volunteered in the nursery, was a camp counsellor, played piano for the services, sang in the choir, helped with the vulnerable in the community, was a youth leader, helped lead church services in LTC homes, to name a few. Karyne felt led to move to Christ Memorial Anglican Church in Oshawa 8 years ago where she has served as a youth pastor and Sunday school teacher. She also works as an Educational Assistant in a high school in Whitby. Karyne is committed to the spiritual development and growth of our children and youth at the Cathedral.
Administration & Finance
Susan So
Executive Director
moreContact Susan
(416) 364-7865 ext *225
Susan joins the Cathedral with 29 years of professional experience in managing not-for-profit membership organizations. She previously worked at The Albany Club for 20 years and was the Assistant General Manager since 2014. She oversaw the club’s financial and accounting matters and was a key player in the leadership team, adding her expertise in managing operations and administration.
Susan has served in volunteer governance roles in other churches, most recently as the treasurer and a member of the Board of Trustees for another large Anglican Church. She is an active member of her parish and attends services with her husband Luke and their daughter Liz.
Serena Li
Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office
moreContact Serena
(416) 364-7865 ext *229
Serena joined the Cathedral in August 2023. As administrative assistant, she is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Dean’s office, including the preparation of all service materials, administration for the Cathedral team, and the processing of donations.
Rose Wang
Bookkeeper
moreContact Rose
(416) 364-7865 ext *258
Rose joined the Cathedral as Bookkeeper in February 2022. As bookkeeper, Rose is responsible for tracking the day-to-day financial transactions in the Cathedral.
Andrea Munoz
Communications
moreContact Andrea
(416) 364-7865 ext *231
Andrea has joined the Cathedral team focusing on Communications. She has worked in communications management in Colombia, responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies to achieve corporate goals. She came to Canada in 2021 to study Human Resources Management at George Brown College. While studying, she worked as the Student Life Ambassador to promote the college community through events, communications, and social media platforms.
Andrea is passionate about helping people and has volunteered in different communities supporting various causes such as reducing extreme poverty and working with communities of children and adults in vulnerable situations.
Raisa Kocaqi
Reception
moreContact Raisa
(416) 364-7865 ext *221
Raisa returned to the Cathedral Centre staff team as a Front Desk Administrator in February of 2023. She is the first point of contact for the Cathedral and always ready to help and welcome everyone with a smile! Her background is in customer service and management, and she graduated from York University in 2014.
Property
Jim Kotsifas
Property Manager
moreContact Jim
(416) 364-7865 ext *824
As Property Manager, Jim oversees all operations and maintenance of the Cathedral, the Cathedral Centre, and the Diocesan offices.
He manages the building service workers and the sextons (Tenzin Wangchok, Frank Kenyon, Walter Snow).
Event Operations
Claudia Habib
Event Manager
moreContact Claudia
(416) 364-7865 ext *301
Claudia is responsible for managing the St. James Cathedral Event Venue.
Please click here for more information.
Cathedral Governance
Cathedral Wardens
David Gates
People’s Warden
Kate Uchendu
Rector’s Warden
Joan Peters
Deputy People’s Warden
Don Solomon
Deputy Rector’s Warden
Sandra Mowat
Assistant Deputy People’s Warden
Christian Kingsmill
Assistant Deputy Rector’s Warden
Contact the Wardens: wardens@stjamescathedral.ca
Cathedral Council Members: Colleen Cardillo, Denny Creighton, Angela David, Richard Harrop, Matt Jaeger, Carol Kysela, Sarah Rodrigues, Graham Scott, Yosola Sholagbade-Adeoye, Sybil Wilkinson
Ex-Officio Council Members: Susan So (Operations), The Dean, The Vicar
Lay Delegates to Synod: Ruth Davis, Rob Haines, Irene Bailey, David Hedley, Elizabeth Hartman
Synod Alternates: Peter Dawes and Marie Crosta
Lay Leaders
To get in touch with Cathedral Lay Leaders, please contact the main office.
Altar Guild: Yosola Adeoye
Book Club: Ruth Davis
Carillon Bells: Annie Odom
Change Ringers: Dan Tregunno
Education for Ministry Mentor: Carol Kysela
Greeters: Yvonne Joseph
Health Council: Roger Pearce
Servers & Sacristans: Paul Seddon, Leslie Laing
Sidespersons: Philippa Campsie, Wairimu Nduati
Stewards (9:00am): Rob Haines
York Group: Sandra Mowat