Pax Christi USA is pleased to welcome Lauren Bailey and Roxana Bendezú to the Pax Christi USA National Staff.
Both began with us in July, with Lauren assuming the position of National Field Organizer — the first staff member in that role in over a decade — and Roxana coming on as our new Communications Coordinator.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Lauren graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Social Work and minors in peace and justice studies & gender and diversity studies. While at Xavier, she participated in programs through the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice, which allowed her to wrestle with questions concerning faith and justice. Prior to coming to PCUSA, she completed her Master of Social Work with an Area of Emphasis in Community and Social Justice, while working on a research project aimed at increasing food accessibility.
“I am excited about joining Pax Christi USA’s rich community full of engaged members,” stated Lauren. “The generations of progress achieved by PCUSA gives me great hope in a future that is more just and equitable for all.”
Lauren’s responsibilities include developing and implementing a plan for national field operations to mobilize grassroots action and strengthening relationships with regional and local group leaders to support and elevate their work. She will also be helping to lead Pax Christi USA’s outreach to students and young adults.
Roxana was born and raised in Lima, Perú and migrated to Turtle Island (currently known as the United States) in 1999. She is an activist documentarian, and the founder and director of Migrant Roots Media. She has collaborated with various organizations, including the Office of Migration and Refugees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National TPS Alliance.
“What excites me is the vision of working collectively with the thousands of members of Pax Christi USA and the larger international Pax Christi family to move our communities forward towards collective liberation,” shared Roxana.
Roxana’s responsibilities include managing and facilitating Pax Christi USA’s internal and external communications strategies to support and promote program work and to engage our members, our grassroots network, new audiences and the public at-large. Her work includes elevating Pax Christi USA’s public profile through the creation and management of accessible, attractive and engaging platforms and resources.
“My contribution within and outside the Pax Christi USA family is to provide the tools necessary to continue shifting narratives to ones that center not only the stories but also the analysis of people directly affected by multiple issues that consider historical context,” stated Roxana.
“I’m really excited to have Roxana and Lauren join us,” stated Johnny Zokovitch, Executive Director of Pax Christi USA. “Bringing these two incredible people onto our team increases our capacities to do the work of peace with justice, especially by putting an emphasis on how we can facilitate greater involvement from members throughout our community with a commitment to organizing and expanding our reach.”
Messages of welcome can be sent to Lauren at lbailey@paxchristiusa.org and Roxana at rbendezu@paxchristiusa.org.