Standing Committee
The Standing Committee meets monthly throughout the year to accomplish these goals:
- To act as the bishop’s Council of Advice
- To consent to bishop election processes as provided for by canon
- To make determinations on those in the ordination process as provided for by canon
- Represent people of the diocese in relation to the bishop.
Standing Committee Members
The Standing Committee consists of eight members – four clerics and four lay persons. Each annual Diocesan Convention elects one cleric and one lay person to serve four year terms.
The Rev. Daniel Pinti, President (2027)
Bruce Davidson (2027)
The Rev. Diana Leiker (2028)
James Isaac (2028)
The Rev. Ann Tillman (2029)
Elisabeth Brauza (2029)
The Rev. Steve Lane (2030)
Su Hadden (2030)
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Pinti, Standing Committee President
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Pinti is Priest-in-Charge at St. Peter’s-Eggertsville. Since his ordination to the priesthood in 2011, he has served at several parishes in the diocese as well as at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
At the diocesan level, prior to his election to the Standing Committee, he served terms on both the Diocesan Council and the Commission on Ministry.
He grew up in the Episcopal Church, in the Diocese of Ohio and later the Diocese of the Rio Grande, and while in the lay order did everything from serve on Vestries to participate in rector search committees to teach children’s and adult formation classes.
Outside of the Church, Father Dan is Professor of English at Niagara University, and if he’s not working or enjoying time with his family he’s almost certainly playing the guitar.
Elisabeth Brauza
Liz has spent the last 23 years working in paid and unpaid positions within the Episcopal Church. Currently, she works as the Administrative Assistant to the Episcopal Women’s History Project, and the Data & Information Manager in the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
In this diocese, she has served in a variety of roles, including on Diocesan Council, as chair of the Resolutions Committee, and as a Deputy/Alternate to General Convention. She also served on the churchwide Taskforce to Revise the Parochial Report Finance Page from 2022-2024.
Bruce Davidson
Bruce has been the past Warden at Calvary(3 terms) and St. John’s, Sommerville, NJ(2 terms), Senior Project Manager Linde, Union Carbide(27 years retired), Group Leader RESULTS of Western New York(40 years active volunteer), Presently manage beachfront properties in Tybee Island, Georgia(14 years) and deliver Meals on Wheels in Amherst, NY (10 years).
Having spent 8 years on Diocesan Council and 14 years as chair of the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, this exposure has prepared me for the Standing Committee.
With our Diocese transitioning to a new Bishop over the next year, we have a special opportunity to reinvent our collective vision for our Diocese. I am excited with the chance to participate in this journey with my sisters and brothers in Christ’s name.
James B. Isaac
Jim is a lifelong Episcopalian, currently a member of St. James in Batavia. He has served God’s church in the past as an acolyte, lay reader, chalice bearer, Lay Eucharistic Minister, vestry member, and Senior Warden. Jim is currently in his third term on the Standing Committee, where he has served as president in the past. Jim is blessed to serve with his wife Kim for 45+ years. The Isaac’s have been blessed with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and two baby granddaughters. Having more blessings in life than Jim can count, including a second home in the Adirondack Mountains, he always says “God never calls me, he just puts me in a place where I can’t say no.”
Su Hadden
I’ve been a member of St Paul’s Cathedral since shortly after arriving in Buffalo 30+ years ago. A former Vestry member and long-term lector (and a cradle member of the Church of England).
After a career working in the C-Suite in the for-profit world, I worked for 23 years at the Church Center in New York “815” for successive Chief Operating Officers under 4 Presiding Bishops. In that role I supported the work of staff at 6 General Conventions and have enjoyed – and still have – wide and varied contacts across our Church.
I hope to bring this background and experience to the work of the Standing Committee.
The Rev. Steve Lane
As our Diocese continues its journey toward renewal and revitalization, I feel called to offer my voice and support at this pivotal moment. I have been active in the Diocese since 1990 and ordained since 2008, experiences that have given me both a deep love for our common life and a grounded understanding of its challenges and possibilities.
I bring a strategic perspective, with gifts in seeing the larger picture while holding space for faithful, practical discernment. My ministry has helped me listen well, collaborate across differences, and remain attentive to where the Spirit is leading. I believe this season calls for both vision and steadiness, and I would be honored to contribute my experience, insight, and commitment in service to the Diocese’s future.
The Rev. Diana Leiker
I am a retired art teacher, mother of 4 and grandmother of 9. When I was ordained as a Vocational Deacon in 2016, I was assigned to St. James, Batavia and served there and other churches in the GRI until recently. I also serve at St. Peter’s, Eggertsville part time. I am on the Standing Committee for the second time, a member of the Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination and am a voice without vote on the Commission on Ministry.
My ministries have included working with Kairos Prison ministry and the refugee resettlement agencies Journey’s End and Jewish Family Services. I co-mentor Healing Circles and coordinate a Respite Program through the Alzheimer’s Association. Currently I am involved with the Cathedral Ministry Center and work with the unhoused population around St. Paul’s. I am also the Arch Deacon of the Diocese.
The Rev. Ann Tillman
This is an exciting time of transition for our Diocese and, having served as Rector of St. Matthias’, East Aurora, for 13 years, Dean of the Southern Erie Deanery since 2017, Diocesan Council member from 2012-2015, Commission to Dismantle Racism & Discrimination member since 2018, and Joint Board of Examining Chaplain member since the fall of 2024, I believe I have a good understanding of our Diocesan gifts and challenges. I also believe that my experience in other Dioceses prior to coming to WNY gives me a broad view of the larger Episcopal Church. I prayerfully offer a deep love of God and God’s Church, a collaborative approach to mission and ministry, and organizational and communication skills to the table. I look forward to working with our esteemed team as we move faithfully into a new era.