As you begin serving as Superintendent for the Diocese of San José, what are two or three priorities that will guide your first year?

As I begin serving as Superintendent, my top priority is to listen and learn from as many school, Church, and community members as possible. While Catholic schools have some commonalities nationwide, each diocese has unique strengths and challenges. During the first 90 days serving in the Diocese of San José, I plan to visit all 27 elementary and six high schools in the diocese to hear from our school communities what they feel is essential for me to know as I formulate longer-term priorities.

What is your vision for the future of our Catholic schools here in fast-paced Silicon Valley as models of academic excellence, cultivators of faith, and formers of future leaders serving their communities?

I am excited by the opportunities to think creatively about how our Catholic schools can best meet the diverse needs of all families. I want to examine the opportunity to create unique Catholic schools that specialize in Dual Language Immersion, Science and Technology, learning diversity, or classical approaches to learning. These different educational models can thrive within Catholic schools as long as the core mission of keeping Christ at the heart of the school remains intact.

Can you share a defining moment or memorable experience in your career — or even earlier — that deepened your commitment to Catholic education?

My experience as a Catholic school student, from elementary school through post-graduate studies, significantly shaped my commitment to Catholic education. In 6th grade, my family moved to London for my father’s job, and I attended More House Catholic School. Moving to a new country in junior high was very difficult for me, and I often felt lost and out of place. I started going to morning Mass before school in the chapel at More House because it was a place that felt familiar and safe. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized what an impact this had on me and my ability to overcome a difficult time. If I had not been at a Catholic school, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to turn to Jesus through the celebration of the Eucharist in the way I could at More House.

With families facing cultural, economic, and spiritual challenges, how can our Catholic schools be both anchors and beacons for the wider community?

When a family chooses a Diocese of San José Catholic school for their child, the whole family enters a community that strives to provide stability, love, and values, while grounding families during uncertain times. They genuinely work to model hope, excellence, and service for the wider community. Our Catholic schools are open and welcoming to families of all cultures and faiths. We are dedicated to being accessible by keeping our tuition as low as possible while providing a quality educational experience.

What message would you like to send to those reading this who may be considering Catholic Schools? What about to those families in Catholic Schools?

For those reading this article who are already part of our Catholic school community, I thank you for entrusting your children to our care. You are our most incredible supporters and ambassadors, and I encourage you to share the Good News of Catholic education with your communities. For those not yet part of our Catholic school family, I invite you to visit a Catholic school and experience all it has to offer. We are dedicated to our mission to grow our students' understanding that they are God's beloved, so they may fully realize God's plan for their lives.

How has your faith — your personal prayer life and faith journey — shaped your approach to leadership?

I strive to be intentional in my relationship with God. It is so easy to let day-to-day life distract me from cultivating time for prayer. If I'm not setting aside time each day for prayer and reflection, it often gets pushed down the list of things to do. At these times, my life starts to feel out of balance and overwhelming. Daily prayer and celebrating the Eucharist are vital to living my life by God's plan.

As a Catholic school leader, I strive to intentionally place God at the center of all we do in our Catholic schools. When the focus on our Catholic mission gets overlooked, our schools stop being the unique and beautiful reflections of God's love that attract families to us. I believe God has placed us on this earth to do something that no one before or after us can do precisely the same way. I know that God put me here to serve Catholic education, and I will always try to be intentional about fulfilling that calling to the best of my ability.