The Board and staff of The BTS Center are thrilled to welcome Ophelia Hu Kinney to the staff team in the new role of Strategic Communications Director. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in communications and non-profit leadership as well as a deep commitment to the mission of The BTS Center, Ophelia comes prepared to bring creativity and vision to this new role.

As our Strategic Communications Director, Ophelia will oversee external communications and media relations, explore new ways to get the word out about our programs, draw constituents into deeper relationship, direct the communication of our research findings, and ensure consistency of messaging that aligns with The BTS Center’s mission, vision, and core values.

In the words of The BTS Center’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill: “Today is a day of celebration! We are so glad to welcome Ophelia to The BTS Center team. Ophelia brings an impressive record of faithful, forward-thinking service in the nonprofit sector, and specifically in the nonprofit communications space.

“We had an extensive pool of applicants for this position, and after a thorough search, screening, and interview process, Ophelia rose to the top as the candidate with the right combination of expertise, experience, wisdom, and creativity.

“I can’t wait to see how Ophelia will help The BTS Center to tell our story well, to widen our circles of connection, and to center our work in justice and joy as we cultivate and nurture spiritual leadership for a climate-changed world.”

As she enters this role, Ophelia reflects: “The world is already better because of the people and the work of The BTS Center. And yet, so much more remains possible! I want folks to know that The BTS Center is here with and for them while they meet the effects of climate change. The BTS Center gets it: the effects of climate change are nuanced and personal and spiritual. They’re urgent and invitational.

“I know this about The BTS Center because I’ve been engaged with the organization as a board member, participant, and contributor. The more I learned about The BTS Center, the more my admiration grew.”

The Strategic Communications Director is a new position within The BTS Center’s staff team. Ophelia’s appointment to this position coincides with another staff transition: Rev. Ash Temin, who has served as Communications Manager for the past four years, steps into a new role as Staff Writer and Program Manager. In the Staff Writer portion of her position, she will remain a member of The BTS Center’s communications team, with responsibility for writing program descriptions and website content, authoring blog posts, drafting feature articles for electronic and print newsletters, and assisting with other writing projects. As Program Manager, she’ll continue to coordinate Spiritual Accompaniment Circles, retreats, book studies, and other programs, and she’ll bring to our program planning particular commitments and leadership for contemplative practice.

Ewing-Merrill says, “We’re grateful for all the gifts that Ash has brought to The BTS Center over these four years. Her words have graced every single one of our publications, and she has helped us make tremendous strides in our organizational communications. Fortunately, she’ll continue to be a cherished member of our team in a slightly different role, where, I trust, her work and her words will continue to invite, inspire, and challenge.”

We hope you will join us in celebrating this welcomed growth and change in our staff team, and we look with excitement and anticipation toward all that is possible in our expanding work.