Rev. Katie O'Dunne
Joyfully Integrating Faith & Mental Health
Rev. Katie O'Dunne
Rev. Katie O'Dunne is the founder of Faith & Mental Health Integrative Services, an organization helping individuals with OCD and related disorders live into their faith traditions as they navigate evidence-based treatment. Prior to this, she spent 7 years serving as the Academy Chaplain and the Pauline and R.L. Brand Jr. '35 Chair of Religious Studies at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. While serving in this role, she also served as a consultant on interfaith programming for schools around the country. Katie is proud to be an IOCDF lead advocate, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and an endurance athlete tackling 50 ultra-marathons for OCD. She is currently pursuing her doctorate at Vanderbilt to continue with her focus on faith & mental health. She graduated from Candler School of Theology at Emory with her Master of Divinity and Certificate of Religion & Health in May 2015.
Education
Vanderbilt Divinity School
Doctor of Ministry in Integrative Chaplaincy
August 2021-May 2024
Mental Health Integration for Chaplain Services - Intensive Training
August 2021-December 2022
Candler School of Theology at Emory University - Master of Divinity with Certificate of Faith and Health
Atlanta, GA — September 2012 - May 2015
GPA: 3.894
Elon University - B.A. in Human Services & Religious Studies
Elon, North Carolina — September 2008 - May 2012
GPA: 3.983
Awards/Honors
Vanderbilt Divinity Merit Scholarship (2021)
Interfaith Atlanta Airport Chaplaincy Board of Directors (2021)
Phoenix Tribute (2021)
Sims Garrett Scholarship, Full Tuition (2012-2015)
John D. And Alice Slay Award Nominee (2014)
Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities Nominee (2014)
Member in Discernment in the Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ (2014)
Phi Beta Kappa (2012)
NCAA Southern Conference Bob McCloskey Insurance Graduate Scholarship (2012)
President's List (2008-2011)
Charles D. Johnson Ministerial Scholarship (2011-2012)
Religious Studies Scholar Award (2011)
Zint Family Scholarship (2011-2012)
W.L. Monroe Christian Education and Personality Award (2011)
SURF Speaker on Female Ordination (2011)
Tau Upsilon Alpha, Human Services Honors Society (2011-Present)
Phi Kappa Phi, Academic Honors Society (2011-Present)
Academic All-Conference Team (2011)
Academic All-District Team (2011)
Theta Alpha Kappa, Religious Studies Honors Society (2010-Present)
Rawles Religious Studies Scholarship (2010-2011)
Celebrate! Service Learning Speaker on Developmental Disability (2010)
Outstanding Service-Learning Paper Nominee (2010)
SoCon Commissioner’s Medal (2008-2010)
Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society (2009-Present)
Presidential Scholarship (2008-2012)
Experience
Academy Chaplain / The Pauline and R.L. Jr. ‘35 Chair of Religious Studies
Atlanta, GA — 2015-2022
Develop a project-based model for Comparative Religions that fosters empathy/religious literacy & teach 150 Upper School students per year
Provide pastoral care to 600 faculty/staff and 2,700 students in times of joy and crisis from an interfaith perspective
Coordinate age-appropriate religious life activities for PK-12th grade on two campuses
Serve on the Woodward Council and other boards/committees to provide a voice for all faiths
Manage the Religious Life budget/endowment
Create the Chaplain’s Council made up of 20 student leaders from various faith backgrounds for student-led faith initiatives on campus
Lead interfaith prayer services and other religious understanding initiatives
Lead the invocation, benediction, and prayers at all major campus events (Opening of School, Veteran’s Day, Founder’s Day, Baccalaureate, Commencement, etc.)
Serve as a calming presence on campus engaged in student life
Create/facilitate DEI workshops while encouraging faculty to create safe spaces for students
Lead policy revisions to better support our transgender and non-binary students
OCD Advocate
Lead advocate on the National Level for the International OCD Foundation (2021-Present)
Vice President of the OCD Georgia Board of Directors (2021)
Assisted with planning & leadership of the first IOCDF Faith & Mental Health Conference (2021)
Planned, facilitated, & moderated the first Southeast Regional OCD Conference (2021)
Plans/facilitates/speaks at multiple mental health conferences per year with the IOCDF & local affiliates
Center for Spiritual & Ethical Education
Plans & facilitates annual School Chaplaincy Conference
Plans & facilitates annual Grief Conference
Regular publications on chaplaincy, grief, and interfaith programming
Consultant helping schools build & assess interfaith chaplaincy programs
Student Minister, Kirkwood United Church of Christ
Atlanta, GA — 8/14-8/15
Program Intern, Back on My Feet
Atlanta, GA — 5/14-8/14
Clinical Pastoral Education, Atlanta VA Medical Center
Atlanta, GA — 6/13-8/13
Pastoral Care Intern, Twin Lakes Continuing Care Retirement Community
Burlington, NC — 3/11-5/11
Case Management Intern, Family Abuse Services
Burlington, NC — 5/10-7/10
Service-Learning Intern, Ralph Scott Lifeservices for Individuals Experiencing Developmental Disabilities
Burlington, NC — 9/09-12/09
Student Ambassador & Peer Advisor, Candler School of Theology at Emory University
Atlanta, GA — 9/12-5/15