This Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the work of just a tiny percentage of the women leaders who serve the church and the world through their leadership in Jesuit and Ignatian ministries. These leaders shared a bit about their work and how Ignatian spirituality shapes their lives. They also offered their perspectives on ways the Jesuits can continue to improve how they welcome, empower and support women leaders.
What does your job entail?
My role is to shepherd the work of the KBI by guiding our leadership team and staff in strategically executing our mission, engaging our supporters to long-term commitment to our mission, and using the voice of our organization to shape the nation’s narrative around immigration.
What is your favorite part of your job?
It is energizing and fulfilling to be constantly rooted in relationships with people who are migrating. Even though I don’t have any direct programmatic responsibilities for the services that people need, I can still sit down and have breakfast with a migrant mother and hear about her hopes and dreams or ask a family about their journey and their suggestions for our work. Those moments of encounter fuel and shape my leadership and our organization more broadly.
How does Ignatian spirituality shape your approach to work?
The Ignatian approach to prayer and discernment is a cornerstone of my journey of leadership in both small moments and large decisions. For example, in the evenings I pray the Examen with my family and through that prayer am reminded of and sustained by God’s goodness as I grow in attentiveness to his love.
On a larger scale, together with the KBI Board we have been able to engage in collective discernment about major organizational decisions, which has led to deeper peace, wisdom and community in our approach to the work.
