Catholic Media Conference Speakers
Discover the influential voices shaping Catholic media and communications at the Catholic Media Conference in Phoenix. Our lineup of speakers includes industry leaders, media pros and communicators who will inspire you in your mission with insights, expertise and strategies.
Keynotes and Panelists
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Fr. Paul Gabor, S.J., Vice Director, Vatican Observatory
Keynote Presenter on “Why does the Pope have an astrophysics research institute?” Wednesday, June 25
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Montse Alvarado, President and COO, EWTN News
Media Panel: “Catholic Media as Bearers of Truth: Evangelization, Integrity, and the Digital Age,” Thursday, June 26
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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
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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
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Edmundo Reyes, Co-Founder of Digital Continent, Real+True, and Revive Parishes
Media Panel: “Catholic Media as Bearers of Truth: Evangelization, Integrity, and the Digital Age,” Thursday, June 26
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J.D. Long García, Senior Editor, America Media
Immigration Panel: “Accompanying Migrants,” Friday, June 27
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Joe Rubio, National Co-director of the Industrial Areas Foundation West/Southwest Region
Immigration Panel: “Accompanying Migrants,” Friday, June 27
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Sr. Tracey Horan, SP, Director of Education and Advocacy for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Ariz.
Immigration Panel: “Accompanying Migrants,” Friday, June 27
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Hilary Chester, Vice President, Domestic Program Operations Vice President, Domestic Program Operations Jesuit Refugee Service
Immigration Panel: “Accompanying Migrants,” Friday, June 27
Master Camp Presenters
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Barb Fraze, Freelance Editor and Reporter
What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.
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Laura Ieraci, Editor of ONE Magazine
What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.
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Paul Schratz, Editor of The B.C. Catholic
What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.
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Peter Stockland, Publisher and editor of The Catholic Register
What Makes Journalism ‘Catholic’? Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.
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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
Shoot, Edit, Share: Mastering Mobile Video
Session 1 - Wednesday, June 25, 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, June 26, Workshop Presenters
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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, 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
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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. -
Chris Gunty, Associate Publisher, Catholic Review
From Newspaper to Magazine: Navigating the Transition
Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m. -
Liz Chandler, Director of Communications, Diocese of Charlotte
Grace Under Pressure: Navigating Disasters Together
Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m. -
Patricia Guilfoyle, Assistant Communications Director, Diocese of Charlotte
Grace Under Pressure: Navigating Disasters Together
Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m. -
Pablo Kay, Editor-in-Chief, Angelus News
Grace Under Pressure: Navigating Disasters Together
Session 5 - Friday, June 27, 2025, 9-10:30 a.m.
CMA Region Roundtable Facilitators
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Pablo Kay, Western Region Representative
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James Ramos, Southern Region Representative
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Paul Schratz, Canadian Region Representative
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Michael Stechschulte, Midwestern Region Representative
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Carol Zimmermann, Eastern Region Representative