Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN – Executive Director
202-635-2741
pchappell.pcusa@gmail.com
Sr. Chappell is a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Connecticut unit, and served on the Provincial Leadership Team for her community. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the Catholic University of America and was the Director of Youth Ministry at Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Parish in Washington, D.C. She was trained by Crossroads in anti-racism training and organizing and serves as the national co-chair on her community’s anti-racism team. She was the full-time president of the National Black Sisters’ Conference from 1996-2001 and is on the Board of Trustees for Trinity University in Washington, D.C.
Ronaldo Cruz –
Assistant to the Executive Director
202-635-2741
ron.m.cruz@gmail.com
Ronaldo Cruz served for over twenty years at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington, D.C. as the executive director of the Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs. His many achievements include the development of organizational strategies for Small Christian Communities, the organization of Encuentro 2000, development of an HIV/AIDS ministry model for the education of Hispanic/Latino Catholics, and collaboration with Latino/Hispanic communities in the U.S. in the areas of youth and young adult ministry, pastoral ministry, women in the church and justice and peace. Cruz has experience and background in community organizing, education, anti-racism organizing, mental health and social services, immigration, and leadership development. He has operated in lay ministry at every level in the Catholic Church, from diocesan to the international.
Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU –
Director of the Internship Program
202-635-2741
dianna.pcusa@gmail.com
Sr. Ortiz was the founder and executive director of the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC), an international organization of torture survivors, located in Washington, D.C. In her 2002 book, The Blindfold’s Eyes: My Journey from Torture to Truth (with Patricia Davis and published by Orbis Books), Sr. Ortiz recounts her own story of abduction and torture in Guatemala, and her ongoing search for healing and justice. From 2001-2003, Sr. Ortiz was a recipient of the Ashoka Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs and has also been recognized with honorary doctorates from the College of New Rochelle (NY), Carroll College (MT) and Springfield College (IL). She has received numerous awards, including the M. Shanara Gilbert Human Rights Award from the Society of American Law Teachers in 2008 and the Freedom House: Speak Truth to Power award in 2004.
Johnny Zokovitch – Director of Communications
352-219-8419
johnnypcusa@yahoo.com
Lori Swanson Nemenz – Resource Coordinator
814-520-6245
lenemenz@gmail.com
Luciana Kane – Financial Manager
202-635-2741
luc.pcusa@gmail.com
Rachel Roa – Office Manager
202-635-2741
rroa.pcusa@gmail.com
Peter Majura – Program Volunteer
202-635-2741
peter.pcusa@gmail.com
Taylor Reese – Program Associate
202-635-2741
taylor.pcusa@gmail.com
