Do you have any other Jesuit institutional connections?
I worked at Cristo Rey New York High School from 2007-2013 as the director of development. During my tenure at CRNYHS, I also participated in the New York chapter of Contemplative Leaders in Action.

What does your job entail?
As the executive vice president of America Media, I oversee the business side of our media ministry. I work closely with Fr. Sam Sawyer, SJ, president and editor-in-chief, to set and drive our vision and operational strategy to help achieve our long-term, mission-driven goals. It is an exciting time at America Media as we strive to grow our digital audience and continue to spread the good news by interpreting the church for the world and the world for the church.

What is your favorite part of your job?
Hands down, the people are my favorite part of the job. My colleagues are hard-working, intellectually curious and a pleasure to be around. We make one another and the organization better. In addition to my colleagues, I thrive on meaningful and in-person interactions with our readers, listeners, donors and pilgrims. It is such a grace to accompany members of the America Media community in their spiritual journeys while getting to know them on a personal level. More often than not, we find common threads that bring us closer to one another and enable us to find God in all things.

How does Ignatian spirituality shape your approach to work?
One of my favorite quotes from St. Ignatius is “Love ought to show itself in deeds more than words,” and that shapes the kind of leader that I strive to be. To begin, I try to approach everything that I do with love and by identifying the positive in situations and in people, even when that can be challenging. I see that optimism as a way to show my hope and confidence in doing what is right.

Secondly, I am a doer — I like to be involved and alongside others to accomplish work. It’s great to say you are going to do something, but what really matters is actually rolling up your sleeves and putting the time and effort into the task. In the workplace and, especially, at home with my family, I have been known to remind folks that actions speak louder than words and I really try to live that belief.

What’s one of your favorite quotes about leadership?
“A leader is like a shepherd. He (or she!) stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.” –Nelson Mandela

I have witnessed that great leaders mobilize and champion the people around them to achieve great things. No one can or should do it alone. As a leader, I’ve seen that I can learn much more walking alongside or behind others than in front of them. A good leader must have hope, confidence and trust in their “flock” and also be willing to learn new things. With that comes the courage and inspiration to take the calculated risks that push the whole team to grow and utilize their own gifts and talents for the betterment of the mission.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Unlike many of my peers, I did not attend a Jesuit high school or college, and I wasn’t raised Catholic. My experience at a Catholic high school was very formative and a key inflection point in my life. I converted to Catholicism in college and was always drawn to my faith.

I spent five years working at a public relations firm prior to taking a leap of faith by leaving the for-profit world to work at Cristo Rey New York High School. There, I had my first experience working with the Jesuits and it was transformative; now, I cannot even imagine not working with the Jesuits! I appreciate that the Jesuits lead with compassion and grace but always expect the best out of everyone; it’s a lovely way to approach leadership, but most especially, life in general.