Bishop Clark has announced that she has called Karin Gutiérrez, who previously served on the bishop’s staff from 2012 to 2021, as her new executive assistant.

“I am delighted that Karin has agreed to come home to the Diocese of Chicago,” Bishop Clark said. “She brings with her broad knowledge of our diocese, deep relationships with many clergy and lay leaders, and real love for God’s mission in this place. Her ministry will benefit us all, and I am grateful for her willingness to serve.”

Born and raised in Chicago, Gutiérrez holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s degree in clinical professional psychology from Roosevelt University. She worked as a case manager and behavioral therapy extern in Elgin and Chicago before joining the diocese in 2012 as a bilingual receptionist. From 2014 to 2016, she was administrative assistant for operations, and then served as associate for operations before leaving in 2021 to take an administrative position with Intercom, a Chicago-based customer service software company.

“After a year and a half away from the diocese, I am so grateful for the timing of this call and for the opportunity to serve Bishop Clark and the Diocese of Chicago once again,” Gutiérrez said. “I really do feel as though I’ve returned home and so look forward to working with everyone in the diocese and the rest of the bishop’s staff.”

Gutiérrez, who is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, began her new job yesterday. She succeeds Anne Cothran, who will retire on June 30. “Anne will be greatly missed, and I am grateful to her for embracing me in this role,” Gutiérrez said. “I look to forward to doing God’s work with Bishop Clark and the Diocese of Chicago.”

Gutiérrez can be reached at kgutierrez@episcopalchicago.org.

photo: Gutiérrez, left, with bishop’s staff members (l-r) Louisa McKellaston, Jen Boyle-Tucker, Crystal Plummer, Anna Stefaniak, Anne Cothran and Bishop Paula Clark