Our Speakers

Catholic Speaker & Founder of WINE

Kelly Wahlquist is the founder of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization, Director for the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute, and contributing writer for Catholicmom.com. Her book Created to Relate: God’s Design for Peace & Joy encourages and inspires women to live fully their beautiful God-given gifts for building relationships. She is the creator and editor of Walk in Her Sandals: Experiencing Christ’s Passion through the Eyes of Women; Gaze Upon Jesus: Experiencing Christ’s Childhood through the Eyes of Women; and Called by Name: 365 Daily Devotions for Catholic Women.

Catholic Author & Retreat Leader

Liz (Elizabeth) Kelly, a native Minnesotan, is a noted speaker, retreat leader, and award-winning author, whose works include short stories, arts and music reviews, books on prayer and worship, and meditations on faith, spiritual struggle, and Christian womanhood. She has written seven books, including May Crowning, Mass, and Merton: 50 Reasons I Love Being Catholic, which won the Catholic Press Association first-place award for Best Popular Presentation of the Faith in 2007. Kelly contributes to various periodicals, including Our Sunday Visitor, and her written works frequently appear in the MAGNIFICAT’S Lenten and Advent Companions. Learn more about Liz at: Lizk.org

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Alyssa Bormes (Emcee)

Alyssa Bormes is an educator, author, speaker, and retreat leader. She currently teaches at the Chesterton Academy, writes for The Catholic Spirit and the WINE blog, is the host of a weekly show Christian Witnesses in the Church on Radio Maria US, and is the author of The Catechism of Hockey. Alyssa is a frequent speaker at WINE events and always an entertaining emcee! (AlyssaBormes.com)

Leah Jacobson

Leah Jacobson is the author of "Wholistic Feminism" and the founder of The Guiding Star Project, which helps women and families by providing resources that honor Natural Law and promote New Feminism. The Guiding Star Centers serve as beacons of hope, joy, and truth and are safe havens that uphold human dignity in all stages of life. Leah lives in Minnesota with her family and works as a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

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Allison Gingras

Allison Gingras is the WINE Steward of all things WINE, responsible for all social media and overseeing the Read Between the WINES book clubs online and around the country. She has created the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women, which are featured by WINE. Allison is soon to host the WINE podcast “Sips to Sainthood” on BreadboxMedia.com

Alicia Donovan

Alicia Donovan is a mom who is passionate about Scripture, connecting people, bees, and honey. Alicia is the founder of the women’s group Glen Ellyn Mom’s Village, an amazing event coordinator, and a Biblical Bee Keeper with a “swarm” of knowledge that will keep you “buzzing” about your faith for years to come.