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Meet Our Team

NRVC Leadership

The NRVC utilizes a team model of leadership established in 2019. The pillars in this model are member-focused, mission-driven, accountable, and leaderful.

 

The National Office postal address is 5416 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL 60615.

 

We work remotely and can all be reached at the email addresses below. You can also leave a phone message at the National office at 773.363.5454. 

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Sister Dina Bato, S.P.

Director of Membership

  • Develops strategies for NRVC membership appeals and renewals including follow-up with lapsed members.

  • Leads efforts in support of annual events such as Summer Institute, World Day for Consecrated Life, Catholic Sisters Week, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Religious Brothers Day, and Vocation Awareness Week.

  • Liaison to the African American Vocation Committee and Incorporating Cultural Diversity Committee.

Sister Dina joined the NRVC team in August 2022. As a Sister of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana, she made her perpetual profession in 2017.

She holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Virginia Tech and a master's in pastoral theology from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Sister Dina has supported congregational vocation promotion events, along with experience in parish and young adult ministry. Sister Dina is a member of Giving Voice. She enjoys writing, cooking, baking, music, walking, and time with friends and family.​

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Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M.

Director of Mission Integration

  • Liaison to all major collaborators, USCCB-CCLV, Member Area Coordinators, and ex officio, non-voting member of the National Board.

  • Cultivates member engagement by updating resources, implementing the Orientation Program for New Vocation Ministers, and directing Convocation. 

  • Provides consultation and presentations on assessment, promotion, and research to members, religious leadership, institutes, and organizations.

Sister Debbie joined the NRVC team in August 2011. A Sister of Saints Cyril and Methodius, she has served in vocation ministry for over 20 years and has additional ministerial experience in pastoral care, youth ministry, college campus ministry, congregational leadership, and immigration advocacy. She regularly presents throughout the United States and Ireland. Sister Debbie holds a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies from the Loyola University of Chicago. She is a generous inviter who lives with abundant hope, boundless compassion, and radical availability.  

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Sister Kathleen Branham, O.S.F.

Director of Data and Donor Relations

  • Oversees registrations, including membership, workshops, and events; and assists members with access to resources and benefits, including Misericordia grant applications.

  • Maintains the membership databases, creating protocols to ensure data integrity and safety. 

  • Liaison to website services, publications, and Governance Committee.

Sister Kathleen joined the NRVC team in May 2024. Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, she professed her final vows in 2007 with the Sisters of Saint Francis, Oldenburg, IN. She began congregational vocation ministry in 2019 including serving as an NRVC Midwest Member Area Coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in social justice from Marian University. She received a master’s certificate through the Center for Adoption Support and Education, and spiritual direction certification through the Benet Hill Spiritual Direction Program. She enjoys cooking, music, and creating beautiful cards. 

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Maureen Cetera

Director of Finance and Operations

  • Safeguard and manages the assets of the NRVC.

  • Assists in developing and maintaining the structure and financial model needed to sustain and grow the organization.

  • Acts on behalf of the organization for financial and contractual purposes. 

Maureen joined the NRVC team in August 2016. Her 30 years of experience with Church finance and accounting include positions with the Archdiocese of Chicago as Accounting Manager, Budget Manager, and Financial Analyst; Business Manager at Old Saint Patrick's Church; and Office Administrator for the NALM. Maureen’s degrees include an undergraduate degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MBA from Saint Xavier University, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union. She serves the Archdiocese of Chicago as a lay ecclesial minister.  Maureen and her husband, Tom, are parents to three young adults. 

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Jesús Leyva

Director of Communications

  • Maintains high standards for the quality, accuracy, and consistency of the NRVC’s digital, video, and print communications.

  • Oversees the design and production of Focus on Vocation Ministry, the NRVC’s monthly digital newsletter, social media content, and other communications.

  • Plans and produces the quarterly, award-winning journal HORIZON, including editorial development, production, advertising sales and promotion, and subscriptions.

Jesús Leyva joined the NRVC team in May 2025 and began full-time employment in July 2025. Jesús is an energetic, experienced, and bilingual (Spanish) writer and editor. He grew up on the surreal streets of East Los Angeles. Jesús completed a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside. Most recently, Jesús worked as a copy editor with the National Catholic Reporter and content editor with Global Sisters Report. He and his wife, Marimar, are active participants at Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios in Durango, Mexico, where they serve on the liturgical team. Jesús is grateful to offer his wealth of experience in support of vocation ministry. 

Gratitude for Past NRVC Staff

We are stewards of the organization that our predecessors helped to create and cultivate. We are grateful for their years of service and support for the ongoing transformation of the world and for the promotion of vocations.

Ms. Marge Argyelan

Director of Database Administration

Brother Paul Bednarczyk, CSC

Executive Director

Sister Cathy Bertrand, SSND

Executive Director

Sister Cecilia Bianchio, PHJC

Secretarial Assistant

Ms. Cecilia Blue

Finance Coordinator

Ms. Judy Burnell

Finance Coordinator

Sister Sharon Dillon, SSJ-TOSF

Executive Director

Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ

Associate Director

Andrew Grcevic

Office Assistant

Sr. Charlene Herinckx, SSMO

Director of Membership

Mr. Charlie Holden Corbett

Program and Communication Coordinator

Mr. David Hotek

Managing Editor

Mr. Justin Hurtado

Director of Finance and Operations

Ms. Maureen Kern

Bookkeeper

Sister Mary Ann Hamer, OSF

Administrative Assistant

Sister Patricia Knopp, SNDdeN

Director of Publications

Mr. Phil Loftus

Director of Development

Sister Alice Montavon, BVM

Secretarial Assistant

Ms. Maureen O’Meara

Office Assistant

Ms. Julie Durkin Montague

Executive Assistant

Mr. Wayne Montague

Finance Coordinator

Miss Debbie Prieto

Administrative Assistant

Ms. Maureen Reiff

SecretarialAssistant

Brother Joseph Samson, FSC

Executive Director

Ms. Carol Schuck Scheiber

Publications Editor

Mr. Al Spenadel

Finance Coordinator

Sister Deborah Suddarth, OSF

Associate Director

Mr. James Sullivan

Finance Coordinator

Mr. Mark Teresi

Director of Development

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