Alicia 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.

Allison is our National WINE Steward tending to WINE’s Virtual Vineyard including social media, website, webinars, and book clubs. She is the author and creator of the Stay Connected Journals for Catholic Women (OSV). Allison worked as an editor (and also a contributor) on WINE’s inspiring Called By Name: 365 Daily Devotions for Catholic Women.

Alyssa Bormes is an educator, author, speaker, and retreat leader. She teaches at Chesterton Academy and the Archbishop Flynn Catechetical Institute. She writes for the WINE blog, is an editor of Called by Name, the author of The Catechism of Hockey, and wrote the foreword for The Mother of Jesus is Wonderfully Real. You can find her at alyssabormes.com.

Our talented musician, Amanda Vernon, is a recording artist of soulful pop music. She has shared her original music across the U.S. and in six foreign countries. This singer, pianist, and composer speaks to authentic beauty through music, the “language of the soul.” Originally from the Midwest, Amanda resides in Phoenix, AZ with her husband and their spunky collection of children under age seven.

At age 29, Amanda has over a decade of experience in both studio recording and live performance. Her seventh album, Justice for All, debuted in 2015; the title track won the pop-electronic music genre of the international art competition, ArtPrize. Supported by a growing number of Amanda Vernon Patrons, she releases new original songs each month via her online show, In Real Life.

Anne weaves music, humor, and common life experiences together to bring faith to life. A wife, mother of 7, speaker, and musician, Anne has been a retreat leader both in the US and abroad. Originally from Louisiana, Anne received her Master's in social work at LSU and helped found Hosana House, a home for unwed mothers in Baton Rouge, LA. (Anne was privileged to work with Mother Teresa, who later took over Hosana House.)

For the last 30 years, Anne and her husband, David, have lived in Brevard, NC. They own and direct Camp Kahdalea for girls and Camp Chosatonga for boys - incredible places of faith, adventure, and friendship in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Barbara Heil was raised in an un-churched family, yet she fell in love with Jesus Christ as a student. For reasons she attributes to the Holy Spirit, Barbara began to discover more about the Catholic Church. While reading the very first page of the Catholic Catechism, she knew in  her heart that she had come home. She is the founder of From His Heart Ministries and leads pilgrimages to the Holy Land. 

Dr. Carol Razza is a fulltime faculty member and formation advisor at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary. She also serves as the Coordinator of the Palm Beach Diocese Magnificat and serves on the Advisory Board for the International Magnificat. She has worked in private practice as a psychotherapist for over twenty-five years. She has written two books, Sonblock, How Christians unknowingly shield themselves from Grace, and Parent me....Please, a book helping parents to parent their adolescents. Carol also presents at seminars, conferences, workshops, and retreats both nationally and internationally.

Carol’s greatest blessings include her marriage of over thirty-nine years to her husband Paul, and their wonderful sons and daughters-in-law.

Our wonderful music minister, Caroline has been leading the women at the WINE: Catholic Women’s Conference in praise & worship for the past 4 years! A music teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic School, Caroline was born and raised in Caboolture, on the East Coast of Australia, where she studied music at the Queensland University of Technology. She has a major in Classical Voice and a minor in Jazz Voice. Caroline moved to the U.S. in 1996 to serve on NET Ministries and is a founding member of the Catholic band Sonar which ministers to youth across the country.

Sr. Clare Matthiass, C.F.R. has been a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal since 1998.  The two-fold apostolic mission of the community is “hands-on” work with the poor and evangelization. Sr. Clare has served in the past as vocations director and formation director for candidates and postulants and just completed three years of travels with the assignment of “itinerant speaker”. Sister Clare is currently is serving as Community Vicar. She lives at Our Lady Queen of Angels Convent in East Harlem where the sisters run the Fr. Solanus Soup Kitchen, The Saint Joseph Food Pantry, a clothing room and youth ministry program, among other works of mercy. 

Deb Hadley is from Alexandria, MN, and is an inspirational speaker, author of the Morning God Boost, Founder of the KT Humble Hearts Foundation, and the Bereavement Manager for Knute Nelson Hospice. Deb has endured many hardships in her life but strives to find purpose and meaning in her suffering. With her solid faith, strong conviction, and incredible resiliency, Deb has found the strength to work through her adversity and become a beacon of hope for others.

Debbie Herbeck has shared with many her personal journey of faith from Judaism to the Catholic Church. For the past 40 years, Debbie has worked extensively in youth and women’s ministry, speaking, leading mission trips, and mentoring high school and college-age women.

She is the founder and executive director of Pine Hills Girls’ Camp and the founder and leader of Be Love Revolution, a ministry that helps young girls encounter Christ and be his love in the world. Debbie has written five books and is a frequent author and speaker for Blessed is She. Debbie and her husband, Peter, live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and have four young adult children and ten grandchildren.

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. She is also the author of “The Wind,” a short story nominated for the Pushcart Prize in 2001. 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

Elizabeth Lev is an American-born art historian with the good fortune to live and work in Rome. Life in the “Eternal City” allows her the perfect environment to pursue her many passions. For on an average day, one can find Elizabeth working on her latest article or book, preparing for one of her worldwide speaking engagements, touring visitors through the treasures of Rome, or using her skills as a sommelier to find the perfect wine to pair with dinner.

Erin is a Baton Rouge native and mother of six children ages 13 to 3 months. She is also a parishioner here at Our Lady of Mercy. Erin has been married for 14 years to her husband, Michael. She and Michael currently serve together at the national level for Domestic Church, a movement for Catholic married couples and families. Erin's story-led presentations illustrate powerful, practical spiritual tools and truths she's learned through ordinary and extraordinary life events. Erin hosts 'The Catholic Mom Minute' for Catholic Community Media and has been blogging and speaking about marriage, family, and Catholic spirituality since 2009 on her website, ErinFranco.com.

Gaby was born and raised in Baton Rouge, but calls the beautiful coastal town of Bay Saint Louis, MS home. Her Catholic faith is important to her along with her love and devotion for her husband and son. Gaby is co-host and producer of Catholic Community Radio’s morning show Wake Up!, along with being a Mass Communications Adjunct Professor at Loyola University of New Orleans and Digital and Media Relations Specialist at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Gaby’s passions are spending quality time with her family, traveling and serving the Lord every day through daily opportunity!

Gloria Purvis graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. She served as Chairperson of the Culture of Life Committee and Coordinator of the Young Adult Association at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Washington, D.C and on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council for the Archdiocese of Washington.

Gloria is a Board Member for the Northwest Pregnancy Center and Maternity Home in Washington, D.C. and an Advisory Board Member on the Maryland Catholic Conference’s Respect for Life Department. She serves on the National Black Catholic Congress’ Leadership Commission on Social Justice. She is the Chairperson for Black Catholics United for Life which seeks to increase the size and strength of active Black Catholics participating in the pro-life movement.

Nurse, Author, Speaker Hall of Fame

LeAnn Thieman is a nationally acclaimed professional speaker, author, and nurse who was “accidentally” caught up in the Vietnam Orphan Airlift in 1975 when she helped rescue 300 babies as Saigon was falling to the Communists. Through God’s grace, she endured and is living proof that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

By sharing her amazing adventure and stories from her book Chicken Soup for the Soul, Living Catholic Faith, she proves her conviction that, just as God led her to Vietnam, He leads us all when we trust His guidance. Her presentations fill people with hope and love, nourishes their souls, and deepens their faiths.

LeAnn has authored 13 other Chicken Soup for the Soul books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, A Book of Miracles, and Chicken Soup for the Soul, Answered Prayers.  She has been featured in Newsweek Magazine’s Voices of the Century issue, on FOX-TV, BBC, NPR, PBS, PAX-TV’s It's A Miracle. In 2008 she was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame.

Lorraine Hess is a Catholic singer, songwriter, music minister, and recording artist born and raised in New Orleans. She grew up in a family of Jazz and Cajun musicians, and her writing is strongly influenced by her South Louisiana heritage. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University; and, in May 2018, she will complete her Masters Degree Program in Pastoral Studies Loyola University Institute for Ministry in New Orleans. She has served the church in music since age 16. She is the Music Ministry Director at Divine Mercy Parish in Kenner, Louisiana in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and she also cantors at St. Catherine of Siena in Metairie, LA.

She has released four solo albums of original liturgical and sacred music: We Shall Be Healed (2008); Child of God (2010), Cradle in Bethlehem (2012) produced by Ed Bolduc, and As I Pray (2015) produced by World Library Publications. Her fifth project will be released by WLP in early 2018. Her music can also be found in WLP’s CD compilations, More Voices as One I, II, and III.

Joelle Maryn is an award-winning Actress, Speaker, and TV Host who has been featured on various Christian TV shows including "Life On The Rock" on EWTN. Her message of God's healing love has radiated hope and purpose to many around the world.

She has modeled for well-known brands such as Jergens, was on a billboard in Times Square, appeared on book covers, independent films, and news interviews, and is the former Host of Trend TV. Joelle was also the founder/CEO of a luxury line of anti-aging makeup, which was featured on NBC and in Vanity Fair.

In 2012, she had a major encounter with Jesus and in His mercy, was given another chance to love and lead others to Him. After years in ministry, she now speaks full time and also engages in faith-based film and TV projects to help lead others closer to Christ.

Judy is an author, theologian, and inspirational speaker whose first book, Miracle Man, an Amazon Kindle bestseller in Catholicism, chronicles her late husband Bernie’s near death experience and miraculous deathbed conversion. Her new book, Mary’s Way: The Power of Entrusting Your Child to God, is a CatholicMom.com imprint book published by Ave Maria Press. Judy shares her insights about the spiritual life at her blog “Holy Hope.” MemorareMinistries.com

As a corporate businesswoman, a stay-at-home Mom, and a Miss Missouri World, Kali knows well the juggling act women often do, and with warmth and humor she offers the perfect confection to soothe stress-filled lives. She provides a tasty and uplifting antidote for all who are weary of life’s challenges and hungry for a helping of inspiration.

Kathleen Beckman, L.H.S., wife, mother, and business owner has served the Church for twenty-five years as a Catholic evangelist, best-selling author, writer, radio host and Ignatian-certified retreat director. She is the President-Co-founder of Foundation of Prayer for Priests (www.foundationforpriests.org), an international apostolate of prayer and service for the holiness of priests. Often featured on Catholic media: EWTN Radio & TV, Radio Maria, The Catholic Channel, and Focus TV, she enthusiastically proclaims the joy of the Gospel.

Kathryn (Katy) Wehr is a scholar and musician. Her most recent album, And All the Marys, brings to life the stories of the women in the Gospels. She holds a Ph.D. in Divinity from the University of St Andrews (Scotland) and is the new Managing Editor of Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture, published by the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas.

Kelly Wahlquist is a wife, mother of three, inspiring Catholic author, and speaker residing in Minnesota. She 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. Kelly travels the country speaking to all on topics that inspire us to live the New Evangelization, but has a special love for speaking at Catholic women’s events.

Kitty Cleveland, a wife and mother from New Orleans has used music, humor, and testimony to encourage the faithful for over 20 years. She has traveled the world sharing her family's dramatic Divine Mercy miracle story and other stories of hope and healing, as well as singing selections from her 10 CDs. Kitty's latest project, called Sounds of Peace, came in a flash of inspiration when a voice deep in her heart told her to give all of her music to the poor, the sick, and the dying, adding, "No one should suffer or die without consolation." The first packages arrived just before the coronavirus pandemic hit the US, and on Easter Sunday, 2020, the first miracle healing was reported from a coronavirus patient in the hospital. You can find Kitty most mornings praying the rosary LIVE on Instagram (@kittycleveland) at on her YouTube channel (YouTube.com/kittycleveland) at 6 am CT. She would love to have you join the "Morning Glories!" For more about Kitty, her music, and the new Sounds of Peace project, please visit www.kittycleveland.com.

Laura Sobiech lives in Lakeland, MN and has been a member at the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater for most of her life. She and her husband Rob are the proud parents of four amazing children. Laura is the author of Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way , about her family’s journey with their son, Zach, as he battled cancer and eventually wrote the song Clouds. 

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.

Lisa Flood is an on fire Catholic wife and mother who returned to the faith . Disillusioned by scandals, three generations of her family left the Church and longing for Jesus in the Eucharist, three generations of her family returned to the Catholic Church. Lisa joyfully encourages the faithful to frequent the Sacraments and to develop deep prayer lives through the gift of Ignation prayer. Believing that prayer is essential ,she mentors teens and college girls in her home by teaching them to pray with Scripture. A lawyer by training, she has been involved in Catholic media for the past 15 years hosting Catholic television and radio programs. She currently co - hosts Faith and Marriage Today in the Archdiocese of New Orleans which airs on You Tube. She and her husband are enjoying empty nesting as their third son recently began college.

Lisa Hendey is the founder and editor of CatholicMom.com and the author of The Grace of Yes, the Chime Travelers series for children, and multiple other titles. An Editor-at-Large for Ave Maria Press, Lisa speaks internationally on faith, family, the New Evangelization and technology and lives in Los Angeles, California.

As a football coach Sister Lisa has learned that a football team only punts as a last resort. Even when it is 4th down with yards to go, a good team always has something in the playbook to keep the drive alive. In “Ever Feel Like You Want to Punt? Tackling Life with Joy”, Sister Lisa offers a playbook for daily life. Using the values of hospitality, stewardship, respect and justice she will show how to get a kick out of life as we strive for our eternal goal. Heaven!

Liz Kelly is a speaker and the author of seven books, including Jesus Approaches: What Contemporary Women Can Learn about Healing, Freedom and Joy from the Women of the New Testament. She is trained as a spiritual director in the Ignatian exercises and leads retreats with a particular focus on helping women to flourish in their faith. Liz’s book Love Like a Saint: Cultivating Virtue with Holy Women is a featured book in the WINE book clubs. LizK.org

Maria Vargo is a Catholic singer/songwriter, actress, producer, director and speaker. She is the President and Artistic Director of G.K. Chesterton Entertainment. Recent projects include “The Last Days” starring Jonathan Roumie as Jesus and Maria as the Blessed Mother. Maria performed the role of St. Faustina in a one-woman show that toured the US and Canada.

Mary Healy is professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit and an international speaker on topics related to Scripture, evangelization, healing, and the spiritual life. She is a general editor of the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture and author of two of its volumes, The Gospel of Mark and Hebrews. In 2014 Pope Francis appointed her as one of the first three women ever to serve on the Pontifical Biblical Commission.

Melissa Overmyer is a dynamic evangelist, author, and speaker. She is the founder of Something Greater Ministries, which fosters prayer, Scripture study, and community while presenting the teachings of the Catholic Church. Author of several books, including From Worry to Wonder, Melissa is a convert to Catholicism and is pursuing a master’s degree in Catholic theology with a concentration in Sacred Scripture through the Augustine Institute. Melissa is the mother of four daughters and lives with her husband in Washington, DC.

Using song, scripture, and writings from her journal, Patty shares the story of her challenge to God and His daily response. The results were life changing! Her conversion marks the beginning of a totally new life in Christ, a renewed marriage, and a ministry in public speaking. In 2007,  Bishop Paul Zipfel sent 25,000 copies of her testimony to every Catholic household in the diocese of Bismarck, ND , and in June 2013, it was distributed nationwide as the “CD of the Month” for Lighthouse Catholic Media.

At age 29, Renée Bondi was engaged to be married and had a beautiful singing voice, a thriving career as a music teacher, and a loving family. But then one night a bizarre accident shattered her spine and left her quadriplegic. Her life changed forever. Renée lost not only all use of her hands and legs, but also her singing voice — she could barely speak above a whisper. Unwilling to accept that her life was over, Renée searched her heart and sought the Lord for direction. Although there were many dark days, Renée continued to persevere.

Against all odds and all physicians prognosis, Renée’s voice was miraculously restored with a crystal clear, angelic sound. Renée harnessed her talents to inspire and give hope to others.

An incredibly gifted Christian singer before her accident, Renée has augmented her gifts to include a dynamic speaking ability that grabs her audiences. Whether performing a powerful concert or sharing her profound and victorious story that includes paralysis and a life confined to a wheelchair, those who hear Renée are uplifted and mesmerized by her angelic voice, music and messages. Most importantly, all who hear Renée are encouraged to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sarah Christmyer will be leading our breakout sessions and is co-developer and founding editor of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible study program. The author of numerous Bible studies and several guided journals for Bible reading, including the WINE journals that accompany the "Read Between the WINEs Book Club" books. She is one of the authors of Walk in Her Sandals: Experiencing Christ's Passion through the Eyes of Women and speaks at conferences and retreats on topics related to Scripture and the Catholic faith.  She teaches at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. Follow her blog at www.ComeIntotheWord.com.

Sherry Kennedy-Brownrigg is the founder and president of the Kennedy Brownrigg Group, a PR and marketing firm working in the Catholic marketplace. Sherry is a seasoned veteran of the radio industry with 33 years of experience behind the microphone and in programming, coaching, marketing, audience development, and branding. She has hosted hundreds of on-air fundraisers across the nation and regularly hosts programs on Catholic radio, including Catholic Answers Live and Vocation Boom Radio, plus she has created many other programs that are now standards in the Catholic radio industry.

Sonja Corbitt is the Bible Study Evangelista and creator of “the best modernization of lectio,” the LOVE the Word® Bible study method and journal. A best-selling author and Telly Award-winning broadcaster, her weekly radio and television shows and a variety of other unique approaches to Scripture create space for busy Christians to hear and experience God through the scriptures.

Sonja writes for Magnificat magazine and the Ascension Press blog, and widely among other internet outlets. A lively and frequent guest on a variety of national television and radio shows, Sonja studies with Holy Apostles College and Seminary, home schools, and lives with her husband and boys in Tennessee.

What's an "evangelista"? Find out at biblestudyevangelista.com, where you can also catch her newest study series on St. Joseph as Prophet, Priest, and King of the Holy Family.

Keynote speaker, Teresa Tomeo, is an author, syndicated Catholic talk show host, and motivational speaker with more than 30 years of experience in TV, radio and newspaper. As a speaker, Teresa travels around the country addressing media awareness and activism, as well as sharing her reversion to the Catholic Church. She also leads several pilgrimages and retreats each year to various holy places around the world, and with Kelly Wahlquist leads the annual WINE & Shrine Women's Pilgrimage to Italy. (TeresaTomeo.com) 

ValLimar Jansen is a highly regarded singer, composer, recording artist, and inspirational speaker. She’s an experienced college professor, a leader of worship and prayer, and a workshop presenter. She sings a broad range of styles from traditional to contemporary, with collections that include; You Gotta Move, Anointing, Psalms from the Soul, Give God the Glory, and Spirit & Soul. Learn more at: vallimar.com