The Very Reverend Fr. Leander S. Harding, PhD

Dean of the Cathedral of All Saints
Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany

Father Leander S. Harding began serving as the 21st Dean of the Cathedral of All Saints on Palm Sunday in 2017. Dean Harding has over 40 years of experience in ordained leadership. He holds a B.A. from New College in Sarasota, FL and an M.Div, cum laude from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, MA. He earned a Ph.D. from Boston College in Pastoral Theology. He has been the rector of rural, suburban and urban parishes and was for eight years Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Dean of Seminary Advancement at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. He has a background in business and was awarded a scholarship for advanced management training by the W. Edward Deming foundation. He is the author of four books including, In the Breaking of the Bread, a book of meditations on the Eucharist in Anglican perspective.  He assists the Bishop as one of the Archdeacons of the Diocese.  

The Dean is inspired by the Anglo-Catholic tradition of worshiping God in the beauty of holiness. He longs for a church that is catholic in order and sacraments, evangelical in sharing the good news of God’s love made known in Jesus Christ and alive in the Holy Spirit. He continues his theological work of research and writing and has a special interest in the conversation between theology and science and theology and the arts.  In his preaching, teaching and writing he aims at communicating the basics of Christian faith simply and clearly in such a way that people fall in love with God.

Dean Harding has been married to Claudia Harding for over 50 years and they have three adult sons. The Dean began his ordained ministry as a mission priest in far northern Maine where he and Mrs. Harding supported the ministry by sheep farming. He enjoys sailing, hiking and playing American roots music on the ukulele and harmonica.

The Reverend Sandra McGowan

Deacon

Prior to coming to the Cathedral, Deacon Sandy McGowan served at the St. Francis Mission with families from Burma and Thailand refugee camps.  While St. Francis was without a priest, she led Sunday worship, preached sermons, and participated in administrative duties of the parish.

At the Cathedral, Deacon Sandy looks forward to leading Sunday school and to being part of the pastoral care team.

Deacon Sandy is retired from a thirty-two year career in public education, with specialties in special education and counseling.  She lives with her husband, George, in East Greenbush. The McGowans have two sons, and she especially enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren.

thomas odell

Interim Director of Music and Choirmaster

Lloyd Cast Organ Fellow

Thomas Odell is the Interim Director of Music as of September, 2024. After completing a year as the Cathedral Organ Scholar, Mr. Odell stepped into the role of Lloyd Cast Organ Fellow. He received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance locally at the College of Saint Rose. He is native of upstate New York and resident of Albany where he teaches piano privately and accompanies. As a collaborative artist, he has performed alongside singers, instrumentalists, and chamber ensembles. He held the position of Junior Pianist at the Seagle Festival in Schroon Lake, NY, one of the premier opera training summer programs in the nation. There he accompanied singers and music directed the Children’s Opera. Thomas has appeared in solo and studio recitals throughout the Capital District showcasing repertoire ranging from Bach to Ginastera. Thomas has also worked as the Choir Director for Schenevus Central School. There he gave piano lessons, taught general music, and conducted three choirs. In his free time, Thomas enjoys singing and playing traditional Irish music on traditional instruments.

brynna carpenter-nardone

Director of Cathedral Arts

Brynna Carpenter-Nardone became the Director of Cathedral Arts and the Assistant to the Dean for Mission in September of 2018. Brynna is a spiritual director, artist, art-educator, and writer about Christian spirituality and the creative process. She creates programs in spirituality and art and publishes the Cathedral Arts Blog.

Brynna holds a certificate in spiritual direction and an MA in pastoral studies. She has studied nonprofit leadership, hospital chaplaincy and drew her way through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. She continues to draw as a form of prayer. You can see some of her art at brynnacarpenternardone.com.

Meredith EWBANK

Administrative Assistant to the Dean

Meredith Ewbank joined the Cathedral staff as administrative assistant to the Dean in late August of 2018. A life-long Episcopalian, Mrs. Ewbank comes to us from the Church of St. Michael and St. George in St. Louis, MO, where she was active in the St. Paul Guild of Readers and Chalice Bearers.  Mrs. Ewbank served as the parish secretary and administrative assistant to the Rector of her former parish, the Episcopal Church of Saint Andrew in Mountain Home, AR, where she was also a Mentor to adults in the Education for Ministry curriculum of The School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. She is a Daughter of the King, newly affiliated with the chapter at The Cathedral of All Saints. In prior parishes, she has also served as a Eucharistic Visitor, a Welcome/Hospitality Coordinator, and a member of the Altar Guild.

In addition to having been a parish administrator, Mrs. Ewbank has held other administrative positions in the fields of education, financial services, and health services.  She is an experienced educator who has taught English and French in both Missouri and Quebec City.  Mrs. Ewbank has been a lifelong volunteer and advocate in the fields of educational governance, literacy, services for vulnerable women and children, and access for people with disabilities.

In her personal life, Mrs. Ewbank shares with her husband, Jon, a retired Naval officer, a love of music (especially orchestra and opera, choral singing, Dixieland jazz, and barbershop), history and historical fiction, and travel.  Both are happy that their relocation New York brings them nearer to her two children, a son who lives in Boston, and a daughter who lives in Clinton, NY.

Cynthia Hilt studied communications at the College of St. Rose. Her career has been in administration and accounting, and shifted primarily to remote bookkeeping during the COVID pandemic. She is also a public notary.

Cynthia loves to read and enjoys cooking, writing, poetry, escaping into nature and staying active at the gym, as well as watching her daughter’s club lacrosse games. She lives with her daughter and their cat, Charlotte. Cynthia looks forward to working with the Treasurer and the rest of the Cathedral staff, who are likewise delighted to work with her.

jon kimmel

Director of Christian Formation

Jon Kimmel is a Christian educator who serves as the Cathedral’s Director of Christian Formation. In this role, he works closely with the Dean and other ministers to develop and enhance various ministries such as discussion groups, Bible studies, and children’s programs.

Jon has taught and ministered in a variety of contexts both locally and abroad. He has experience in primary, secondary, and tertiary education, and he has taught English, religion, history, and international studies. Jon also helped train new teachers to achieve their education credentials. Jon also has ministered as a volunteer, church planter, and full-time pastoral worker in New England, Thailand, and Hong Kong, and it was in Hong Kong that Jon was introduced to and embraced the Anglican/Episcopal tradition.

Jon enjoys studying and has a Bachelor's in Business Administration, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, a Diploma in Anglican Studies, and is completing a Master of Sacred Theology. In his free time, Jon enjoys traveling, exercising, watching movies, and playing board games, especially with his wife and son.