We are pleased to welcome the Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell to the PDA staff team! Kathy is serving as PDA’s Associate for National Disaster Response following the retirement of Rev. Dr. Jim Kirk earlier this summer.
Kathy’s relationship with PDA began in 2008 when she served as Site Coordinator for the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) Program – Presbyterian Church (USA) in South Louisiana. There, she helped young adults engage in Hurricane Katrina recovery work, laying the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to disaster response and accompaniment. Her leadership deepened as a member, and eventually Chair of PDA’s Advisory Committee, where she served until 2020.
Most recently, Kathy led the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (USA) Partnership for Disaster Recovery, coordinating preparedness and long-term recovery efforts across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Her experience brings deep knowledge of grassroots recovery, mid-council collaboration, and the ministry of presence that defines PDA’s mission.
In her new role, Kathy will lead PDA’s national disaster response efforts across the U.S. and its territories, overseeing the deployment of volunteer teams, coordinating grants and long-term recovery strategies, and working closely with mid-councils, congregations, ecumenical partners, and governmental agencies.
Kathy is also a Presbyterian pastor, licensed social worker, and a proud Chinese-American New Orleanian. She is married and the loving mother of three, Owen, Gabe, and Mila, a role she considers her most important calling. She brings to this position a deep love for the church, a heart for justice, and a commitment to building community resilience across the country.
