The Episcopal New Yorker |

Christine (Tina) Evangelides Donovan

By Neva Rae Fox

Bishop Mark Sisk has often expressed his belief that the important moderate Christian voice is stifled in this country and needs to be heard above the current climate of extreme rhetoric. Tina Donovan is the person who is going to help him make that happen.

Bishop Sisk has named Christine (Tina) Evangelides Donovan as Bishop’s Deputy for Public Affairs for the Episcopal Diocese of New York. In this newly created position, Donovan will assist the bishop in expressing a moderate Christian perspective on issues and concerns to the wider world. Additionally, Donovan will assist in developing and maintaining relationships with business and civic organizations. She will serve as chief advisor on matters relating to public issues and also oversee the Communications Office. Donovan joined the staff on January 1.

“I am thrilled to work on this very challenging and important assignment for Bishop Sisk and for the Episcopal Diocese of New York,” she commented. It’s a big job and as the first person to have it, I’m defining and redefining how to do it every day.”
Her face lights up with enthusiasm when speaking about the potential for bringing the moderate Christian voice to the forefront and the positive impact it will have on the bishop, the diocese and the entire church.

“This is an opportunity to put my whole range of interests and skills into a cause that I believe in. I have a lifelong interest in public affairs. And a love for the Episcopal Church.”

She’ll be working closely with the Cathedral in the development of opportunities for conferences, seminars and other expressions for a moderate voice. “We will be looking to partner with many other institutions in this mission including those in the Morningside Heights neighborhood such as Columbia University.” She will also be working closely with Archdeacon Michael Kendall to maintain our strong and close relationships with the ecumenical and interfaith community.

Donovan is quick to note that her work will take her outside the boundaries of New York City. “We will be talking about issues that affect all of New York state and the country,” she said. “This is not a Manhattan centered position.”

Meet Tina Donovan

A native New Yorker, Donovan was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church and after a move to Richmond, VA attended an Episcopal school. From there, she and her family lived in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where they attended the local Presbyterian Church “because it was nearby.”
Later, when she returned to church attendance and participation in New York, the Episcopal church felt like the right place for her.

Donovan lives in Morningside Heights in New York City with her husband Ted and daughter Alexandra. The family attends Heavenly Rest, Manhattan, where she has served on the vestry since 2002. She has been an usher captain and co-chair of the annual Christmas Festival and Bazaar. Also at Heavenly Rest, she and her husband are Children’s Chapel leaders and for six years were the Youth Group Advisors.

“The Episcopal Church has been very welcoming to me and I have a wonderful home at Heavenly Rest,” she explained. “We were married at Heavenly Rest, and our daughter was baptized there.”
In their spare time, the Donovans love to travel, enjoy jazz, entertain friends and family and visit the city’s many museums, “but mostly we run around after a three year old,” she laughed.
Donovan brings extensive marketing and communications experience both in business and in the not for profit arenas to this position. Most recently she was a consultant in retention marketing for The New York Times. She also served as director of volunteer services for the Children’s Aid Society in New York and as a senior manager for client management strategy and marketing for American Express.

Donovan was also the director of communications strategy for DMTG, Inc., as well as management supervisor in public relations for Earle Palmer Brown and director of product planning and promotion for The Echo Design Group, Inc., all in New York.
She earned an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of management at Northwestern University and a BA in art history from Brown University.

Additionally, Donovan’s volunteer experience includes the New York Junior League, visiting patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center and tutoring with Literacy Partners.
Her office is in the Diocesan House at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Tina can be contacted at 212-316-7429, tdonovan@dioceseny.org.

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
Profile	January/February 2007
Tina Donovan: New Bishop's Deputy For Public Affairs e

Christine (Tina) Evangelides Donovan By Neva Rae Fox Bishop Mark Sisk has often expressed his belief that the important moderate Christian voice is stifled in this country and needs to be heard above the current climate of extreme rhetoric. Tina Donovan is the person who is going to help him make that happen. Bishop Sisk has named Christine (Tina) Evangelides Donovan as Bishop’s Deputy for Public Affairs for the Episcopal Diocese of New York. In this newly created position, Donovan will assist the bishop in expressing a moderate Christian perspective on issues and concerns to the wider world. Additionally, Donovan will assist in developing and maintaining relationships with business and civic organizations. She will serve as chief advisor on matters relating to public issues and also oversee the Communications Office. Donovan joined the staff on January 1. “I am thrilled to work on this very challenging and important assignment for Bishop Sisk and for the Episcopal Diocese of New York,” she commented. It’s a big job and as the first person to have it, I’m defining and redefining how to do it every day.” Her face lights up with enthusiasm when speaking about the potential for bringing the moderate Christian voice to the forefront and the positive impact it will have on the bishop, the diocese and the entire church. “This is an opportunity to put my whole range of interests and skills into a cause that I believe in. I have a lifelong interest in public affairs. And a love for the Episcopal Church.” She’ll be working closely with the Cathedral in the development of opportunities for conferences, seminars and other expressions for a moderate voice. “We will be looking to partner with many other institutions in this mission including those in the Morningside Heights neighborhood such as Columbia University.” She will also be working closely with Archdeacon Michael Kendall to maintain our strong and close relationships with the ecumenical and interfaith community. Donovan is quick to note that her work will take her outside the boundaries of New York City. “We will be talking about issues that affect all of New York state and the country,” she said. “This is not a Manhattan centered position.” Meet Tina Donovan A native New Yorker, Donovan was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church and after a move to Richmond, VA attended an Episcopal school. From there, she and her family lived in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where they attended the local Presbyterian Church “because it was nearby.” Later, when she returned to church attendance and participation in New York, the Episcopal church felt like the right place for her. Donovan lives in Morningside Heights in New York City with her husband Ted and daughter Alexandra. The family attends Heavenly Rest, Manhattan, where she has served on the vestry since 2002. She has been an usher captain and co-chair of the annual Christmas Festival and Bazaar. Also at Heavenly Rest, she and her husband are Children’s Chapel leaders and for six years were the Youth Group Advisors. “The Episcopal Church has been very welcoming to me and I have a wonderful home at Heavenly Rest,” she explained. “We were married at Heavenly Rest, and our daughter was baptized there.” In their spare time, the Donovans love to travel, enjoy jazz, entertain friends and family and visit the city’s many museums, “but mostly we run around after a three year old,” she laughed. Donovan brings extensive marketing and communications experience both in business and in the not for profit arenas to this position. Most recently she was a consultant in retention marketing for The New York Times. She also served as director of volunteer services for the Children’s Aid Society in New York and as a senior manager for client management strategy and marketing for American Express. Donovan was also the director of communications strategy for DMTG, Inc., as well as management supervisor in public relations for Earle Palmer Brown and director of product planning and promotion for The Echo Design Group, Inc., all in New York. She earned an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the Kellogg Graduate School of management at Northwestern University and a BA in art history from Brown University. Additionally, Donovan’s volunteer experience includes the New York Junior League, visiting patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center and tutoring with Literacy Partners. Her office is in the Diocesan House at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Tina can be contacted at 212-316-7429, tdonovan@dioceseny.org.

Tina Donovan: New Bishop's Deputy For Public Affairs