 Kucharek is the first woman of Slovak descent to become a bishop and, as of 2016, is the longest serving female bishop currently serving in the ELCA.Kucharek served on the board of the ELCA's Division for Global Mission for 5 years, and as its secretary from 2001 to 2002 when she resigned to accept a call as bishop.In 2000 she was one of five women (and the only Lutheran) in a National Council of Churches Ecumenical Delegation of Women to North Korea.