The Rev. Robin Kassabian
Rector
An ordained Priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Rev. Robin Kassabian is the 10th rector of the parish of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, in Van Nuys, California.
Prior to her ministry at St. Mark’s, she served as Associate at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Sierra Madre, CA.
The Rev. Kassabian worked in the bio-pharmaceutical arena for more than 20 years in data management, clinical trials management and in quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
She received her A.B. in Art History and Criticism from The University of California, San Diego. Rev. Robin received her Masters of Divinity from The Claremont School of Theology and Bloy House, The Episcopal Theological School at Claremont.
The Rev. L.A. Catherine Wagar
Deacon
An ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, The Rev. Catherine Wagar is currently attached to the parish of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Van Nuys. She volunteers one day each week as an Associate Chaplain at Olive View UCLA Medical Center. For the Diocese, she serves on the Deacons’ Council. For the past two years, she has been working with two Los Angeles nonprofit organizations to develop safe housing options for political asylum-seekers in the U.S.
The Rev. Wagar has worked for more than 35 years with human service and nonprofit organizations. Besides consulting, she has held limited-term and transitional senior management roles for periods of six months to three years. As a consultant in private practice, she has specialized in training managers in basic administration, strategy development, board development, fund raising and finance, with special emphasis on new or start-up grassroots organizations.
She has previously served as a board member for St. Joseph Center (1991-2006); Team Survivor Los Angeles (1999-2008) and North Valley Caring Services (2000-2004). Currently, she serves as a board member for Jubilee Consortium, and for Canterbury USC.
The Rev. Wagar received her bachelor's degree in sociology from Brown University. She attained a C.Phil. in Social-Clinical Psychology at the Wright Institute Los Angeles, serving as a Pre-doctoral Fellow in the Yale University Department of Psychology in Psychiatry. She received her certificate in Diaconal Studies from the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont.
The Rev. Brainerd Dharmaraj
Associate Rector
Shortly after his ordination to the presbyterate, the Rev. Brainerd Dharmaraj started serving at St. Mark's from March 2020. Prior to his coming to St. Mark's, Brainerd served as Deacon at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Simi Valley, California where he was also in charge of the music ministry for a period. Brainerd's ministries include volunteer chaplaincy at the Adventist Hospital in Simi Valley. As a bi-vocational priest, Brainerd's other vocation is in Software Engineering.
Brainerd received his Master's Degree in Theology from the Fuller Theological Seminary and completed his Anglican Studies at Bloy House - the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont.
Brainerd and his wife Esther grew up in South India and were raised in the Anglican Church tradition. They enjoy hiking, watching British television shows, and good conversations around the dinner table.