In many ways, both the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb and Canon Sarah Caprani feel as if she has already been performing the role of chief of staff for the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida – just without the title.

But that no longer is the case.

Caprani’s exemplary work with the diocese has led to her promotion as Holcomb’s top operations officer, a position neither she nor the bishop takes for granted. He officially announced her new title and role during the 56th annual Diocesan Convention at Trinity Episcopal Church and School, Vero Beach.

Father Tim Nunez shares his delight in Caprani’s new position with both her and Bishop Holcomb. | Photo: STEPHANIE GAMBLE PHOTOGRAPHY

The new canon held her previous role, executive assistant to the bishop, since 2015. She worked for eight years under the Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, who retired in 2023, and then for Holcomb, who was consecrated as the diocese’s fifth bishop in June of that year.

Humbled by the promotion, Caprani said it may not seem at times like much has changed since she assumed her new post, but it’s given her official authority and a great deal more responsibility.

“I think this is giving us a chance to look at things with a fresh set of eyes,” Caprani said. “It’s given us a chance to evaluate processes that we’ve had for a long time and to make changes going forward.”

In his address to the 2025 Diocesan Convention, Holcomb had nothing but praise for his new right-hand person.

“I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that Sarah is the heartbeat of our diocese,” he said. “Her tireless work touches everything we do as a diocesan family. I am in awe of her dedication to serving our churches. She manages a workload that would overwhelm most people, and she does it with grace, charm and poise.”

“We did a nationwide search for a new assistant for Bishop Brewer,” said the Rev. Tim Nunez, who served as canon to the ordinary under Brewer and has been rector at Good Shepherd, Lake Wales, since January 2019. “We had interviewed several candidates, and when Sarah came in, she addressed every question we had before we asked it. And she was close at hand.

Longtime diocesan staff member Mrs. Marilyn Lang (L) shares a hug with Canon Sarah Caprani (R), who is also her daughter, after the announcement of Caprani’s new title and position. | Photo: STEPHANIE GAMBLE PHOTOGRAPHY

“In addition to her extraordinary capacity to grasp big issues and granular details, as well as handle diverse people graciously and diverse situations deftly, Sarah’s humor and infectious laugh makes the diocesan office a lighter and happier place,” Nunez said. “She is a true gift!”

Holcomb agrees. In fact, the bishop explained to Convention attendees that he told Nunez only a few days after Caprani started at the diocese that she was “a game changer for our team.” In her new position, she will support his work and amplify the vision of the diocese, overseeing the bishop’s staff, key projects, initiatives and events that align with its priorities.

He also said she will be empowered to develop and nurture relationships with clergy and lay leaders within the diocese and will help to ensure the diocesan staff, board and governing bodies “are equipped to serve the people of the diocese and fulfill our mission.”

Caprani believes her new duties will help free up the bishop to execute his top priority: serving the 80 churches of the diocese in their shared mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“I think this will help to pull him out of being an administrator and will allow him to get out and teach and preach and see God transform people,” she said. “He is so gifted at that, and he’s such a hard worker. This will help keep him from getting caught up in the mire of administration.

“We want him out proclaiming the gospel,” Caprani continued. “He was born to teach. This will give him more of an opportunity to do that. When he goes and visits a church, he is all in. They have every ounce of his attention and his warmth. To me, that embodies what Jesus’ love for us is all about. I’m humbled to be a part of that.”