Staff Executive Staff Jacqueline Bussie Executive Director 320-363-3367 jbussie001@CollegevilleInstitute.org Dr. Jacqueline Bussie is an award-winning author, professor, theologian, public speaker, and executive director of the Collegeville Institute. Her most recent books are Love Without Limits (2019) and Outlaw Christian (2016). Prior to her work at the Collegeville Institute, Dr. Bussie taught religion, theology, and interfaith studies classes at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she also served as the Director of the Forum on Faith and Life. Amy Fistler Director of Development 651-353-6941 afistler001@CollegevilleInstitute.org Amy Fistler is the Director of Development for the Collegeville Institute. Amy has worked on both sides of the charitable process, including 20 years of experience in fund development and administration at the University of St. Thomas, the University of North Florida’s Museum of Contemporary Art, and United Theological Seminary. Amy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Arts in Organizational Development from the University of St. Thomas. Amy and her husband Jack have been married for more than 46 years and they have two children and three grandchildren. They live in St. Paul and are members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Minneapolis. Elisa Schneider Director of Business Operations 320-363-3877 eschneider@CollegevilleInstitute.org Elisa Schneider is the Director of Business Operations for the Collegeville Institute. Elisa joined the Collegeville Institute in 2006 and has worked on the College of Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s University campuses for over 27 years. Her work includes general business operations of finance, facilities, human resources, Board and development. She and Dennis, her husband of 39 years, raised four children and currently enjoy five grandsons in Rockville. Elisa is the past President of the Board of Directors for ELEVATE Pregnancy and Family Resource Center in St. Cloud, MN, and remains in an Advisory role. Program Staff Jessie Bazan Program Associate, Communities of Calling Initiative and Collegeville Institute Seminars jlbazan@CollegevilleInstitute.org Jessie Bazan is the Program Associate for the Communities of Calling Initiative and the Collegeville Institute Seminars. Jessie Bazan earned her Masters of Divinity degree from the Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary and her Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University. In addition to her work with the Collegeville Institute, Jessie writes regularly for U.S. Catholic magazine. She is the editor and co-author of Dear Joan Chittister: Conversations with Women in the Church (Twenty-Third Publications, 2019). Kathleen Cahalan Senior Research Fellow 320-363-2107 kcahalan@CollegevilleInstitute.org Dr. Kathleen A. Cahalan is Professor of Theology at Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary and Senior Research Fellow at the Collegeville Institute. She co-edited two volumes while directing the Collegeville Institute Seminars project: Calling All Years Good: Vocation throughout Life’s Seasons (2017) and Calling in Today’s World: Voices from Eight Faith Perspectives (2016). She has also authored books for a broad church audience, including Stories We Live: Finding God’s Calling All around Us (2017) and Living Your Discipleship: Seven Ways to Express Your Deepest Calling, co-authored with Laura Kelly Fanucci (2015). In addition, Dr. Cahalan directs the coordination of the Lilly Endowment’s Called to Lives of Meaning and Purpose Initiative, begun in 2018. Carla Durand Director of Program Services 320-363-3365 cdurand@CollegevilleInstitute.org Carla Durand is Director of Program Services at the Collegeville Institute. She earned her Master of Science in Social Responsibility from Saint Cloud State University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Moorhead State University. Immediately prior to her work at the Collegeville Institute, Carla served as Associate Campus Minister at the College of Saint Benedict in the areas of service, justice, and spirituality. In addition to her responsibilities on campus, she has worked as the volunteer and bereavement manager for a local hospice program. From 1990 – 1997, she lived and served in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky as a volunteer for an ecumenical non-profit agency. Jane Patterson Project Director, Communities of Calling Initiative jpatterso001@CollegevilleInstitute.org The Rev. Dr. Jane Patterson is Project Director for Communities of Calling Initiative at the Collegeville Institute. She is Associate Professor of New Testament at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where she also serves as Director of Community Care. In addition to Biblical Studies, she teaches in the area of Christian formation, where her work focuses on vocation and Christian practice. She is a contributor to Calling All Years Good: Vocation Across the Lifespan (Eerdmans, 2017) and the author of Keeping the Feast: Metaphors of Sacrifice in 1 Corinthians and Philippians (SBL Press, 2015). With John Lewis, she is a Co-Director of St. Benedict’s Workshop, a ministry devoted to helping laity live their faith in daily life, and serves the Diocese of West Texas as a member of the Discernment Committee. She is active as a preacher, teacher, and parishioner at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas. Communications Staff Connor Kockler Communications Assistant 320-363-3366 ckockler001@collegevilleinstitute.org Connor Kockler is the Administrative and Program Assistant at the Collegeville Institute. Connor joined the Collegeville Institute in 2022 after graduating from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in political science with a minor in economics. At college, Connor participated in student senate, mock trial, and model United Nations. He was also a member of the Bonner Leader Program. His responsibilities include program and facility support, hospitality, and event assistance. He serves as a member of the board of directors for the Miracle League of Central Minnesota, a baseball league for people with disabilities. Susan Sink Communications Associate ssink@CollegevilleInstitute.org Susan Sink is a writer, poet, presenter, and blogger living on 80 acres in St. Joseph, MN. She came to Minnesota as a Resident Scholar at the Collegeville Institute in 2005 and stayed. She is the author of The Art of The Saint John’s Bible and three books of poems: The Way of All the Earth, Habits: 100-word stories, and H is for Harry. She publishes poetry and essays at Medium.com and blogs at susansinkblog.com.
