Dina González-Piña named head of West Coast Mennonite Central Committee

Dina González-Piña has been named executive director of  Mennonite Central Committee’s West Coast regional office. Previously, she served as the ethnicity and gender equity specialist for MCC’s US national office.

González-Piña was a member of the West Coast MCC Board of Directors from 2003 to 2009 and the MCC US board from 2006 to 2015. Prior to her staff role with MCC, González-Piña worked with Fresno Pacific University for 23 years, most recently as assistant dean of multicultural ministries. She provided pastoral and administrative leadership and ministry connections for FPU in the community and globally. She continues to serve as FPU adjunct faculty.

In announcing the appointment, West Coast MCC Board chair Kevin Malam­ma of Bakersfield, California, said, “Dina’s work springs from her deep relationship with God and her strong commitment to the church. Her creative, persistent efforts in ethnic and racial equity include expert teaching, bridging divides, and forming respectful partnerships. We are grateful Dina has answered God’s call to lead West Coast MCC.”

West Coast MCC works in partnership with organizations and Anabaptist churches in nine states across the western US. In addition to supporting MCC’s international and US work, the office operates regional programs especially focused on restorative justice, immigration direct services, and peacebuilding along the Mexico-US border. It also operates the Mennonite Quilt Center in Reedley, California, and a thrift store in Fresno.

González-Piña replaces Nathan Yoder, who led the region for five years before departing in August to join the staff of the Mennonite Brethren Foundation in Fres­no, California. —West Coast Mennonite Central Committee