Catholic Media Conference Speakers

Keynotes and Panelists

  • Fr. Paul Gabor, S.J., Vice Director, Vatican Observatory

    Keynote Presenter on “Communicating Wonder: Inspiring Awe in a Secular Age,” Wednesday, June 25

  • Montse Alvarado, President and COO, EWTN News

    Media Panel: “Catholic Media as Bearers of Truth: Evangelization, Integrity, and the Digital Age,” Thursday, June 26

  • Gretchen R. Crowe, Editor-in-Chief, OSV News

    Media Panel: “Catholic Media as Bearers of Truth: Evangelization, Integrity, and the Digital Age,” Thursday, June 26

  • James Rogers, Chief Communications Officer, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

    Media Panel: “Catholic Media as Bearers of Truth: Evangelization, Integrity, and the Digital Age,” Thursday, June 26

  • J.D. Long García, Senior Editor, America Media

    Immigration Panel, Friday, June 27

  • Joe Rubio, National Co-director of the Industrial Areas Foundation West/Southwest Region

    Immigration Panel, Friday, June 27

  • Sr. Tracey Horan, SP, Director of Education and Advocacy for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Ariz.

    Immigration Panel, Friday, June 27

  • Hilary Chester, Vice President, Domestic Program Operations Vice President, Domestic Program Operations Jesuit Refugee Service

    Immigration Panel, Friday, June 27

Master Camp Presenters

  • Barb Fraze, Freelance Editor and Reporter

    What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Laura Ieraci, Editor of ONE Magazine

    What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Paul Schratz, Editor of The B.C. Catholic

    What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Peter Stockland, Publisher and editor of The Catholic Register

    What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Daniel Torchia, APR, Torchia Communications Inc.

    Upping Our Collective PR ‘Game’
    Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Sr. Nancy Usselmann, FSP, DMin, Director of Pauline Media Studies

    Be Renewed! A Spiritual Toolkit for Communicators
    Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Michael Heinlein, Award-winning Author and Editor

    Be Renewed! A Spiritual Toolkit for Communicators
    Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

  • Tim Durski, Director of Communications, Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta

    Smartphone Video Mastery: Essential Skills for Journalists in Multimedia Reporting
    Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.

Thursday, June 26, Workshop Presenters

  • Mark Greenblatt, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University

    AI in Action: Investigative Journalism in the Digital Age

    Session 3 - Thursday, June 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Joe Garcia, Chief Evangelist at eCatholic

    The Engaged Parish: Leveraging Digital Channels to Inspire, Build and Grow Session 3 - Thursday, June 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Deacon John Rogers, Vice President of Parish Services for Prenger Solutions Group

    The Engaged Parish: Leveraging Digital Channels to Inspire, Build and Grow Session 3 - Thursday, June 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Niko Hafley, Digital Content & Social Media Manager, Diocese of Phoenix

    Digital Media 101: Organic content Marketing: How to Leverage the Psychology of Social Media
    Session 3 - Thursday, June 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Rachel Squibbs, Art Director / Design Manager at FAITH Catholic

    Special Issue Magazines: Creating Impactful Editions for Unique Moments
    Session 3 - Thursday, June 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Rosemary Ford, Editor of Parable, Diocese of Manchester

    Special Issue Magazines: Creating Impactful Editions for Unique Moments
    Session 3 - Thursday, June 26, 9:30-11 a.m.

  • Retha Hill, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University

    Unlocking Creativity: How AI is Transforming Storytelling and Journalism
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Teresa Peterson, Director of Information and Communications with the Diocese of Saint Petersburg

    Communications and Evangelization: How to Find the Courage to Speak when Silence Seems Safer
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Monica Villalobos, President & CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

    Reaching Hispanic Audiences: Strategies for Authentic Engagement and Growth
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Niko Hafley, Digital Content & Social Media Manager, Diocese of Phoenix

    Digital Media 401: It’s all in the Data: How to pick, pull and utilize data in your Social Media campaigns
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Marybeth Hicks, Director of Strategic Communications, FAITH Catholic

    Catholic Lifestyle Magazines: Evangelization Through Everyday Stories
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Janelle C. Gergen, M.S. Chancellor / Chief Operating Officer, Diocese of Crookston

    Catholic Lifestyle Magazines: Evangelization Through Everyday Stories
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Kevin Greaney, Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, Archdiocese of Denver

    Catholic Lifestyle Magazines: Evangelization Through Everyday Stories
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

  • Scott Richert, Publisher, Our Sunday Visitor

    Catholic Lifestyle Magazines: Evangelization Through Everyday Stories
    Session 4 - Thursday, June 26, 2025, 2:45-4 p.m.

Friday, June 27, Workshop Presenters

  • Gretchen R. Crowe, Editor-in-Chief, OSV News

    What's New: CNS Rome and OSV News
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

  • Cindy Wooden, Editor-in-Chief, CNS Rome

    What's New: CNS Rome and OSV News
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

  • Deacon John Rogers, Vice President of Parish Services for Prenger Solutions Group

    What Catholics Really Want – Social Media Lessons from 30 Dioceses
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

  • Mitch Fisher, Director of Customer Experience for Prenger Solutions Group

    What Catholics Really Want – Social Media Lessons from 30 Dioceses
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

  • Matthew Warner, Founder of Flocknote

    Communication in the Age of A.I., Automation and Cheap Content
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

  • Joe Towalski, Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Diocese of St. Cloud

    From Newspaper to Magazine: Navigating the Transition
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

  • Eric Fuentes, Art Director/Design Systems Lead, FAITH Catholic

    From Newspaper to Magazine: Navigating the Transition
    Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.

CMA Region Roundtable Facilitators

  • Pablo Kay, Western Region Representative

  • James Ramos, Southern Region Representative

  • Paul Schratz, Canadian Region Representative

  • Michael Stechschulte, Midwestern Region Representative

  • Carol Zimmermann, Eastern Region Representative