Board of Directors
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Board Chair
Timothy Matovina Timothy is Professor and Chairperson of the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame. His most recent books are Theologies of Guadalupe: From the Era of Conquest to Pope Francis and Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, which won five book awards, including selection as a CHOICE “Outstanding Academic Title.” His books in Spanish include Ministerio Hispano: Una introducción and María en la fe católica. In addition to his scholarly work, Matovina offers presentations and workshops on U.S. Catholicism and Latino ministry and theology throughout the United States. |
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Board Co-Chair
Beth Knobbe Beth Knobbe serves as a relationship manager with Catholic Relief Services, working with dioceses and universities to engage Catholics in living their faith in solidarity with the poor around the world. Prior to CRS, Beth served as a campus minister at the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University where she coordinated spirituality programs and international service-immersion trips. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and she has a Bachelor of Science degree from Briar Cliff University. Beth has traveled extensively and also shares her time writing and speaking about the spiritual life. She is the author of Party of One: Living Single with Faith, Purpose, and Passion (2011) and Finding My Voice: A Young Woman’s Perspective (2009). |
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Founder And Executive Director
Vicente Del Real Vicente Del Real is the Executive Director and founder of Iskali, a Romero Scholar at Catholic Theological Union where he is working towards his Masters in Pastoral Arts. Vicente was selected by The McGrath Institute for Church Life of Notre Dame University to participate in Strong Foundations initiative as one of fifteen emerging young leaders in the Church in the US. Vicente is recipient of the Bishop Quater Award by the Archdiocese of Chicago for his work with young people and the impact iskali's ministry in the catholic community. Recently Vicente was named 40 under for 40 by Negocios Now, a business Magazine Chicago based, as one of the most influential Latinos in Chicago under the age of 40. |
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Norma Alvarez
Norma Alvarez is the business Manager at Our Lady of the Mount Parish, a well-recognized leader in the community with wide expertise in liturgy and family ministry. Norma is the mother of four and loves to cook for her family and friends. |
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Laura A. Villa
Laura immigrated from Mexico to the United States at the age of 9 with her parents and sister, seeking the “American Dream.” Right after high school, while going through difficult moments in her young life, she came across Iskali. A few months later, she had an encounter with God and has been involved in ministry ever since. She is passionate about creating a safe space for people to find God and hopes to continue inspiring others to transform their lives through the power of faith. Laura is currently married and has three children, whom are the center of her life. She is the general secretary of Iskali and together with her husband, Adrian Ramirez, continues helping families grow in their faith and hopes her life continues to be guided by the Holy Spirit. |
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Anthony Suárez-Abraham
Anthony Suárez-Abraham is a Cuban-American from Miami, Florida. He is a member of the theology faculty at Dominican University where his research and courses focus on the Latin@ experience. Anthony is the former Director of the Office for Peace and Justice of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He serves on numerous local, national, and international boards. His most recent award comes from the Missionaries of the Precious Blood for his efforts on behalf of social justice and for being a faithful advocate of clemency toward juvenile offenders. |
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Natali M. Barrios
Natali is a paralegal at Clifford Law Offices, P.C. Graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2014 with a major in Criminology Law & Justice and a minor in Spanish. In 2018, she received her Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Roosevelt University. Natali has been involved in Iskali since 2018. She is the former coordinator of Our Lady of Charity Iskali community and is now a member of Iskali’s Consecrated community, allowing her to be voted in as Treasurer. Natali aspires to continue fulfilling Iskali's mission. |
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Board Treasurer
Mike Mesterharm Mike currently works in business development. He has held positions in fundraising and operations at a variety of Catholic institutions throughout Chicago including the Archdiocese of Chicago, Saint Ignatius College Prep, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. He’s pursuing a doctorate in educational policy from Loyola University Chicago and holds graduate degrees in business and education from the University of Notre Dame where he also completed his undergraduate work. He and his wife live in Pilsen and are members of Old Saint Patrick’s Church in the West Loop, where they assist with the church’s “Foundations” youth ministry program. |
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Dolores Muñoz
Dolores Muñoz is a Senior Relationship Manager at Cabrera Capital Markets LLC where she is responsible for client business development and pension plan outreach. Ms. Muñoz has over 16 years of experience in the financial services industry, first joining Cabrera Capital Markets in 2003. Prior to her current position, Ms. Muñoz oversaw Cabrera’s global equity trading and fixed income operations where she successfully integrated the firm’s trading platforms via new investment product offerings and trading lines of business. Ms. Muñoz professional securities licenses include Series 7 General Securities Representative and Series 63 Uniform Securities State Law Registered Agent. |
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Rick Moreno
Rick Moreno Vitality coordinator for vicariate IV of the Archdiocese of Chicago. |
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Zuly Gomez
A proud graduate of IIT, Masters of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Mangement ('14) and a B.S. in Architectural Engineering ('14), and a minor in Architecture & Psychology. While a student at Armour College of Engineering, I was an IIT Leadership Academy Scholar, Kern Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy (KIEA) Scholar and the recipient of the Martin Cooper Endowed Scholarship. I was also an active member of SHPE, LIFE|HACE, on the Executive Board of the NSLS IIT Chapter, and played for the IIT tennis team ('08-'09) and IIT Women's Hawk Basketball team ('13-14). Zuly is also part of the founding team, and Executive Vice President of Customer Experience & Business Development at myowndoctor, where I drive business development, sales, customer implementations and experience, and product marketing strategies that aim to innovate on the way care is delivered to improve health. I bring my multitude of experiences and perspectives. During my free time, I volunteer at Gilda's Club and speak at High Schools about the importance of STEAM education. |
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Javier Pineda
Javier Pineda, deacon in St. Turibius Parish, along with his wife Irma, are very involved in ministry, with special passion for developing new young leaders. |
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Carolina Nevarez
Currently working in the Human Resources field, Carolina is an undergraduate student studying Business Management at Morton College in a partnership with Benedictine University. In 2015 she lived her initiation retreat through Iskali. Relating to the social and emotional changes that being a Mexican-American young adult come with, Caro had struggled with an identity crisis for a long time. Her years of community leadership, missionary traveling, and consecration in Iskali have played a key role in her discovering solidarity, and a motivation to improve spiritually each day. As the General Secretary of Iskali, her personal mission is to help others inculcate an authentic Catholic lifestyle as young hispanic adults. |
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EPISCOPAL MODERATORBishop John R. Manz Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Episcopal Vicar for the Vicariate IV.
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