2025 Congress for spiritual and public leadership

SPEAKER LINEUP

We are excited to welcome renowned speakers and trainers with decades of experience and practice in liberation theology, community organizing, and building power.

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Friday keynote

Friday keynote speaker

DR. CAROL ZINN

Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious

  • Dr. Carol Zinn, a Sister of St. Joseph from Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA has taught on all levels (pre-K through post-graduate) and has worked in educational leadership, religious education, sacramental coordinator, and music minister.

    Dr. Zinn earned a BS in Education from Chestnut Hill College, PA; a Master’s in Theology from St. Bonaventure University, NY; and a Doctorate in Curriculum Development and Education Foundations from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

    Dr. Zinn’s grassroots-based international movement work includes working on the United Religions Initiative and the Earth Charter. She works with multi-sector and multi-issue groups in helping people deepen an understanding of global realities, local efforts, and the connections inherent.

    Dr. Zinn served as the main representative for the Congregations of St. Joseph, an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations. She represented over 15,000 Sisters of St. Joseph who live and minister in 57 countries. In this capacity she participated in UN meetings on the topics of Human Rights, Eradication of Poverty, Environment, Peace and Disarmament, Education, Sustainable Development, Women, Children and Healthcare. She also spent time with individual congregations and provinces in helping them connect their particular efforts and energies to the global issues and concerns.

    Dr. Zinn served as the Senior Vice President for Mission Integration for Plante Moran Cresa Company working with Congregations as they discerned the future of their mission and charism and the fully living of religious life during these transformational times. Carol currently serves as the Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.

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SATURDAY KEYNOTE

Saturday keynote speaker

EMILCE CUDA

Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America

  • Dr. Emilce Cuda is an official of the Roman Curia as Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and as counselor and professor at CEBITEPAL/CELAM. She coordinates the CLACSO Working Group on The Future of Work and Care of the Common Home, and collaborates with: with the Dicastery of the Promotion of Integral Human Development of the Holy See; the ICMC (International Catholic Migration Commission) of Geneva; the Argentine Episcopal Conference; trade unions and popular movements in Latin America.

    She was Visiting Professor at Boston College (2016), Northwestern University (2011), and DePaul University (2019), in the United States of America. In Argentina, she was a professor at the Arturo Jauretche National University, the Pontifical Catholic University, and the University of Buenos Aires. She received a Ph.D. in Theology from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina. She also studied Philosophy at the University of Buenos Aires; Political Science at Northwestern University; Economics and Business at the University of Business and Social Sciences.

    Her most recent book is Reading Francis — Theology, Ethics, and Politics (Ediciones Manantial, Buenos Aires, 2017; published in Italy by Bollati Boringhieri, 2018). She has given lectures and has participated and organized international seminars in different countries of America, Europe and Asia.

CONGRESS SPEAKERS & WORKSHOP LEADERS

CONGRESS SCHEDULE

Friday, June 6

3:00 pm: CHECK IN FOR LODGING

5 PM: Opening Mística

6 PM: Dinner & Remarks from Sr. Carol Zinn

Reflection

Arts & Crafts

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CONGRESS SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 7

9 am: opening remarks and theological reflection from Sr. Carol

morning breakout workshops

Lunch

Afternoon breakout workshops

Public meeting

Dinner

Awards and Keynote

Dance Party

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CONGRESS SCHEDULE

Sunday, June 8

9 am: opening remarks and theological reflection from Sr. Carol

Membership Assembly

lunch

Peaceful Action & Closing

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Frequently Asked Questions

We will continue updating this information as the Congress approaches.

  • All Congress events, including meals, will take place at the Damen Student Center on Loyola University Chicago’s Lakeshore Campus in Rogers Park.

  • Registration will open at 3 PM on Friday, June 6.

  • Yes, we will provide Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch in the dining hall inside Damen Student Center.

    Meals will be buffet-style with many options including hot and cold options and a salad bar. There are options for dietary restrictions.

  • Yes. CSPL is providing lodging at no additional cost, in a residence hall near the Congress session and meals locations.

    If you do not plan to stay on-site, you must let us know when you register. Anyone who is assigned lodging and does not use it will be asked to reimburse CSPL for the cost ($175 per person).

  • Parking is available in the parking garage on Sheridan Road, which is a very short walk from Damen Student Center. Details coming soon.

  • Yes! Loyola’s campus is easily accessible by the CTA Redline, with the Loyola Red Line station being closest to the Damen Student Center, where most Congress events will take place.

    There are also several buses that stop at Loyola: #147/Outer Drive Express, #151/Sheridan and #36 Broadway.