The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne was elected Moderator of the United Church of Canada in July 2022, the first Indigenous woman in that position. Born in Alert Bay, BC, and a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, she has a history degree from University of Victoria and both Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Vancouver School of Theology (VST). In 2016, she earned her PhD from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. Before her election as moderator, Dr. Lansdowne directed the First United Church Community Ministry Society in Vancouver. In 2025 she will take up the position of position of Assistant Professor of United Church Studies at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto.