Her early years of humble economic circumstances influenced her lifelong commitment to persons who face poverty and discrimination.

She served as pastor in churches in Lubbock, TX, San Jose, CA, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, and Hebbronville, McAllen in the early 1980s.

In 1986 she became the first Hispanic woman to be appointed a United Methodist district superintendent, serving in that capacity in West Texas, New Mexico, and Portland, OR until 1992.

In 2012, she was appointed the Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles Episcopal Area, providing leadership in the California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Since September 1, 2016, she has served as the resident bishop of the San Francisco Episcopal Area, providing leadership in the California-Nevada Conference of The United Methodist Church.

"[11] In 2010, Bishop Carcaño joined other critics of Arizona's controversial "SB 1070" (also known as the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act) saying, "This bill does nothing to address any border security concerns"[12] and declaring it "unwise, short sighted and mean spirited.

[18] In May 2011, Bishop Carcaño participated in the Human Rights Campaign's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality in Washington, D.C.[19] At a rally for the event, the Bishop's comments included: In 2012, Carcaño was recognized by the Arizona Interfaith Movement (AZIFM)[21] as a person who has "demonstrated 'living out' the Golden Rule objectives in their daily interaction with people and institutions in the community.

Claremont Lincoln is a multireligious university that seeks to find "the common threads among religious and ethical traditions – while honoring the distinctiveness of each.