Our Staff
Rev. Brian Ellison
Executive Director
Brian Ellison has served since 2012 as Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, leading its mission of strengthening the Church through equipping and engagement, advocating and educating for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the Church’s life and leadership.
Brian also serves as stated clerk of the Synod of Mid-America. He has served previously as pastor of Parkville Presbyterian Church (near Kansas City, Missouri) and as stated clerk of Heartland Presbytery. He has previously served the national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in numerous roles, including as moderator of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment and the Stated Clerk Review/Nomination Committee. His writing on matters of faith and theology has appeared in numerous church and independent publications. A graduate of Harvard University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Brian also is a host and senior news analyst at NPR affiliate KCUR-FM. He and his partner, Troy Lillebo, live in Kansas City with their two dogs, the recalcitrant Willoughby and the dopey Sage.
Brian is available for working with congregations, councils and groups of interested Presbyterians about inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people, fostering and navigating difficult conversations, organizing and advocating for transformation, and on the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and its mission. Contact him at brian@covnetpres.org.
AJ Cerniglia
Conference Coordinator
Catherine has been part of the PC(USA) in one way or another for more than 30 years, beginning as a teenager and eventually spending more than two decades working with the denominational offices, primarily in event and meeting planning. Along the way, she has also served the church as a ruling elder, Clerk of Session, and in a variety of General Assembly roles. Catherine is married to Mel, and they currently live in Louisville, Kentucky, though they’re in the process of moving to their family farm in rural southwest Virginia. Their household is rounded out by Mabel, a large floofy dog, and Rosie, a small floofy cat.
AJ Cerniglia is a PC(USA) Candidate for ministry with a Master of Music in Organ Performance from Mississippi College and Master of Divinity from The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. In 2025, AJ co-directed the Worship and Music Conference for the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. In addition to supporting Covenant Conversations, publishing resources and coordinating communications for the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, AJ serves at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City as organist and Interim Director of Christian Education. AJ’s inclusive hymns and liturgy appear in publications such as Call to Worship and The Hymn Society's Songs for the Holy Other.
Erin Gill
Office Coordinator
Erin Gill joined the Covenant Network of Presbyterians as Office Coordinator in July 2026. She handles office operations, event management, donation processing, bookkeeping, and other behind-the-scenes needs of the Covenant Network. Erin is a graduate of Truman State University with degrees in mathematics and education and has a background in public education, Presbyterian youth ministry and camp ministry, and other non-profit work. In addition to her work for the Covenant Network, Erin side-gigs as a preschool music teacher. She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and their three children.
