2022 Inaugural Regional Forum

Speakers

• 
  Kerry Alys Robinson

  Executive Partner for Global and National Initiatives, Leadership Roundtable and Executive Director-Elect, Opus Prize Foundation

  Kerry will share her insights and experiences with Forum participants in a recorded video conversation.

  Robinson has been an advisor to and trustee of numerous grantmaking foundations, family philanthropies, and charitable nonprofits since 1990, including the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities and Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA). She served as the director of development for Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University where she led a $75 million fundraising drive to expand and endow the Chapel’s intellectual and spiritual ministry and to construct a Catholic student center on Yale’s campus. She is the prize-winning author of Imagining Abundance: Fundraising, Philanthropy and a Spiritual Call to Service. She and her husband, Michael Cappello, MD, are the parents of Christopher and Sophie.

• 
  Kimberly Baker

  Associate Professor of Patristics, Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology

  Kimberly, a co-founder of Women of the Church, earned her PhD in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. Her research specialty is Augustine’s preaching on the Church’s life as the Body of Christ in the world. She not only studies preaching but loves the opportunity to preach herself. A fun fact is she offered her first parish mission at nearby St. Nicholas Church in none other than Santa Claus, Indiana!

  Her interest in theology first developed during her two-year post college campus ministry experience in Cote d’lvoire, West Africa. She continues to treasure intercultural friendships and experiences. Currently, she teaches ESL at her parish and coordinates a community development project for a village in Togo, West Africa.

   

• Workshop Leaders
• 
  Judith R. Fean, MA

  "Leadership Lessons from One Woman's Life"

  Following her recent retirement from Vice President for Mission at Saint Mary’s College, Judy will continue sharing her pastoral ministry, mission integration, and leadership experiences especially in higher education, as a consultant. She is committed to the spiritual and ministerial formation of women and is deeply rooted in Holy Cross Spirituality as witnessed through her collaborative work with the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

• 
  Rachel Forbes Kaufman

  "How Purpose Changes Across Your Lifetime: Tools for Discerning Those Life Transitions"

  Rachel Forbes Kaufman is the founding director of The Retirement Institute ^TM, a ministry of Forbes Well-Being Advisors. Her ministry is devoted to the discernment needs and life transition support of the healing professionals in medicine and ministry.

• 
  Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB

  "Seeking the Visible Face of God: Praying with Icons"

  Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB is a Benedictine sister of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana. A northern Illinois native, she has a deep heart for the beauty of rural life and culture. Her education in religious studies, theology, monastic life, and spirituality has led to various positions teaching high school and graduate theology, and more extensive study and practice of Eastern Christian iconography.

  Presently an administrator at Saint Meinrad, Sr. Jeana enjoys accompanying those discerning God’s call in their lives. She also loves using her voice for classical music and liturgical song.

• Small Group Facilitators
• 
  Jane Cruthirds

  Small Group Facilitator

  Jane Cruthirds is the Director of Evangelization and Discipleship at St. Michael Catholic Community in Louisville, KY.  She is an Ursuline Associate with the Ursulines of Louisville.  Her passion in ministry is empowering women to live as intentional witnesses to Jesus’ call to serve the needs of others.  Jane received her Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans in 2018.

• 
  Audra Douglas

  Small Group Facilitator

  Audra Douglas is a family nurse practitioner in Evansville, Indiana and a member of St. Benedict Cathedral Parish.  She is a 2015 graduate of Saint Meinrad School of Theology and currently working on her Certificate in Spiritual Direction.

• 
  Giselle Andolz-Duron

  Small Group Facilitator

  Giselle Andolz-Duron has taught in Spanish Immersion Programs for over 18 years. She was named Armstrong Education Fellow in 2020. The award recognizes outstanding Indiana teachers whose contribution goes above and beyond the job of teaching. Giselle has also been active in church ministry for the past 15 years.

• 
  Bertha Melendres

  Small Group Facilitator

  Bertha Melendres is the Diocesan Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Evansville in Indiana  and has been in church ministries for over twenty-five years.

• 
  Artist for Breath of Beauty

  Kris Lasher

  A graduate of St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame , IN, Kris lives in Ferdinand, IN, with her husband. A writer, vocalist and songwriter, her lyrics often focus on women’s issues, social justice, and environmental concerns. Her latest project is a recording of lullabies for adults.  She is the manager of the Ferdinand Monastery Bakery.

• 
  Closing Mass Presider

  Fr. Guerric DeBona, OSB

  Fr. Guerric DeBona, OSB, is professor of homiletics at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, where he also serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation and the Directory of Hispanic Ministry. He brings a wealth of creativity and preaching experience to his programs.