leadership

Sister Patricia Crowley, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, has served her own community as sub-prioress and prioress – and the greater community in leading non-profit organizations serving women, families, and people experiencing homelessness. Currently she is the board president of Bethany House of Hospitality, which shelters young women seeking asylum in the US, and recently started a position with the Religious Formation Conference’s Together program for young women religious. In recognition of her leadership in Chicago, she was awarded three honorary doctorate degrees: one from Chicago Theological Seminary (1998), a second from Elmhurst College (1998), and a third from St. Mary of the Woods College in Terre Haute, IN (2011).

Sister Mary Pellegrino, Senior Vice President of Plante Moran consulting firm, and her consultant team work to ensure that religious institutes realize their potential and meet the challenges of the day, through the lens of their mission and charism. By changing the way the story of religious life is currently told, from one of scarcity and diminishment to one of abundance and social capital, Sister Mary sees exciting possibilities for religious institutes to collaborate in creating a more just and equitable world. Prior to working with Plante Moran, Sister Mary served as congregational moderator of her community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania, and served in the presidency of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the US. Mary has also served in vocation formation ministries for her congregation, as well as parish and campus ministries.