From A(mbrose) to (Gen.) Z Speakers

Juan Miguel Alvarez and Dr. Timothy Matovina  “A Gift from God: The Faith of Young Latino Catholics”

Mr. Juan Miguel Alvarez was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has an M.Div. from Notre Dame University. He is the director of Haciendo Caminos, an initiative co-led by the University of Notre Dame and Boston College that seeks to identify and empower the next generation of Catholic ecclesial leaders for Hispanic communities in the United States. 

Timothy Matovina, Ph.D., is a professor of History of Christianity at Notre Dame University in Indiana. Dr. Matovina’s research interests focus primarily on U.S. Latino/a theology, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Catholicism in the United States, theology of Mary, faith and culture, and theology and popular piety. Among Dr. Matovina’s publications, his most recent book is Young Latino Catholics: Stories of Faith (2023; Hosffman Ospino, co-editor). 

Dr. Donna Carroll  “Women in Catholic Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges”

Donna M. Carroll, Ph.D., is president of Dominican University from 1994 to 2021, joined the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) in 2023 as its executive director. Carroll, last served as interim president of North Central College, was appointed President of the Washington, D.C.-based association in July 2024. She is an outspoken advocate for immigration reform and the rights of undocumented students. In 2022, She received the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, CSC Award.

Tom Chapman  “AI and the Church’s Public Witness on the Dignity of the Human Person”

Mr. Tom Chapman has served as the Executive Director of the Iowa Catholic Conference since 2007. The ICC is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops of Iowa and represents the bishops at the State Capitol. Before his service at the Catholic Conference. Tom worked for the Diocese of Des Moines as Director of Communications, Editor of The Catholic Mirror newspaper, and Chancellor. As chancellor, Tom assisted the bishop with the administration of the diocesan staff and pastoral planning in the diocese.

Paul Herrera “Fr. Edward Catich’s Theophany and Disruptive Church Art”

Mr. Paul Herrera was a protégé of the late Fr. Edward Catich. Father Catich, a renowned calligrapher, started St. Ambrose University’s art department and pushed the envelope with his creativity. After Father Catich died in 1979, Paul took over his mentor’s art classes at St. Ambrose and taught for many years. He is a calligrapher who continues to teach and lecture. He and others started the Art Legacy League in Davenport to preserve and promote the tradition of art education inspired by Father Catich.  

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy  “Ending Death Penalty, Advancing Justice, and Beginning Healing”

Ms. Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, MTS, serves as the Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), where she oversees the organization’s strategic direction and priorities. She drives anti-death penalty and restorative justice formation programming through strategic initiatives, state and federal advocacy, and in collaboration with Catholic bishops, dioceses, Catholic conferences, religious communities, lay leaders, and people of goodwill. She is also a Social Innovator Fellow at the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good at Notre Dame.

Timothy, Cardinal Radcliffe, O.P.  “How Can We Give Hope to the Young?”

Cardinal Radcliffe, O.P., joined the Dominican Order in 1965. He studied at Oxford and Paris, and taught Sacred Scripture at the University of Oxford. Ordained a priest in 1971, engaged in the peace movement, and carried pastoral ministry among AIDS sufferers. He has been prior of the Oxford Convent, then provincial of England, and master general of the Dominican Order. He is a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He has twice led retreats for the participants in the Vatican’s Synod on Synodality (2023 and 2024). An internationally renowned speaker, lecturer, preacher and writer, Cardinal Radcliffe is a member of CAFOD, engaged in charitable support and development work overseas, and the Theological Commission of Caritas International. He has received honorary degrees academic institutions in France, Italy and the United States. In 2007 he was awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing. He was created Cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024 (incidentally, the feast of St. Ambrose of Milan). 

Dr. Julia Sadusky  “LGTBQ+ Experiences of Catholic Faith”

Julia Sadusky, Psy.D., currently works as a licensed psychologist in Littleton, CO. She is the owner of Lux Counseling and Consulting, LLC. She also works as a youth and ministry educator, providing talks on topics related to sexuality, gender, and missionary life. She is an affiliate of the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute in Wheaton, IL. and an advisor for the Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender. Dr. Sadusky’s publications include: Start Talking to Your Kids about Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics, 2023 and Talking with Your Teen about Sex: A Practical Guide for Catholics, 2024, among others.

Dr. Nabil Tueme “Catholic Teens and Young Adults Today: Patterns of Belief, Belonging, and Affiliation”

Nabil Tueme holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Connecticut. Nabil is a Senior Research Associate at Springtide Research Institute. Her research focuses on the intersection of race/ethnicity, religion, and social change. Her work includes projects related to Hispanic campus ministry, diversity, and belonging. Dr. Tueme’s publications include: “Book Review: God’s Resistance: Mobilization Faith to Defend Immigrants by Brad Christerson et al.” and “Book Review: God’s Resistance: Mobilization Faith to Defend Immigrants by Brad Christerson et al.,” among others.

Mara Adams, Ph.D. “Anxious Young Souls and Restless Hearts: St Ambrose and the Christian Tradition on Anxiety” 
Professor of Theology, St. Ambrose University                                        

Marcela Andoková, Ph.D.  “Ianua mea omni uenienti patebat: St. Ambrose’s Ethics of Hospitality toward Foreigners”
Associate Professor of Classical Philology, Comenius University (Bratislava, Slovakia)

Don Pierluigi Banna, Ph.D.  “Ambrose and New Perspectives on Solitude”
Adjunct Instructor of Patristic Theology, facolta Teologica dell’Italia Settentrionale (Milan, Italy).

Don Francesco Braschi, Ph.D.  “Everyday Challenges of Ambrose’s Letters” 
Founder and First Director, Department for Slavistics of the Accademia Ambrosiana and Life Fellow of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana (Milan, Italy); Professor for Theology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart (Milan, Italy)

Matthew Coomber, Ph.D. “The Christian Mandate to Serve the Vulnerable, from St. Ambrose to Leo XIV”
Professor of Theology, St. Ambrose University                                        

Geerte De Korte, MA.  “Old and New Ways of Interaction between Jews and Christians”
MA, Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam, Netherlands); Israel Consultant, Dutch Center for Israel Studies (Jerusalem, Israel).

Fr. Robert Grant, Ph.D. “Saving Nature, an Ambrosian Theology of Creation”
Professor and Chair, Theology Department; Co-Director, Academy for the Study of St. Ambrose of Milan, St. Ambrose University

Ethan Gannaway, Ph.D.  “Artificial Intelligence, Ambrosian Wisdom, and the Church”     
Adjunct Professor of History; Co-Director, Academy for the Study of St. Ambrose of Milan, St. Ambrose University

Keri Manning, Ph.D.  “Corita Kent: Art, Justice, Conscience, and Dissent in the CIT”
Professor of History, St. Ambrose University

Paola Francesca Moretti, Ph.D. “Ambrose and the Environmental Challenge”
Associate Professor of Literary Studies, Philology and Linguistics, Universita degli Studi (Milan, Italy)

Michele Petersen, Ph.D.  “Contemplative Awareness as Serving (In)Justice in Action”
Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology, St. Ambrose University                                        

Lisa Powell, Ph.D.  “Ambrose of Milan and the Development of Mary as Scholar and Teacher” 
Professor of Theology, St. Ambrose University                                   

Kevin Vaughan, Ph.D.  “Intergenerational Harmony: Pope Francis’ Classic Approach to Modern Youth”
Ph.D. Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies and Director of the Braegelman Program in Catholic Studies, The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN

Dr. Amy Novak, CEO/President, St. Ambrose University/Mount Mercy University and Dr. Todd Olson, President, Mount Mercy University. “Reimagining the Catholic University: Drawing Upon the Charisms and Values of Our Founders in Times of Complex Change”

Dr. Novak is President at St. Ambrose University. She focuses on, among other things, augmented and virtual learning; certificate and online program opportunities; and in partnerships with local and regional businesses to ensure students are equipped with the skills they need. Dr. Novak has recently been named chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities Board of Directors.

Dr. Olson is President of Mt. Mercy University. His initiatives include partnering with local hospitals and other colleges, launching new academic and athletic programs, and most recently, pursuing a strategic combination of Mt. Mercy with St. Ambrose University. He has served as President of the national Jesuit Student Affairs Association, and on the Policy Committee for the Patriot League Athletic Conference.