Speakers / 2026

Provost and Vice President for Academic Administration & Student Affairs,
Madonna University

Dr. Chris Benson

Dr. Chris Benson has served Madonna University for over 20 years and is currently Provost and Vice President for Academic Administration and Student Affairs. The first in her family to attend college, she values supporting students in surpassing self-imposed limits. A proud alum of Ladywood and Madonna, she advocates for strong female leadership in higher education as an executive board member and State Chair-Elect of the MI-ACE Women’s Network.

Provincial Councilor,
Felician Sisters of North America

Sr. Suzanne Marie Kush

A native of western New York, Sr. Suzanne has served on the Felician Sisters' provincial council since 2015. Previously, she served on the faculty and board of trustees at both Villa Maria College and Felician University, as well as St. Bonaventure University, where she directed the Franciscan Center for Social Concern. She is president of the Franciscan Federation. On the provincial council, Sr. Suzanne oversees Seeds of Hope, Volunteers in Mission, and Felician Associates.

President and CEO,
Angela Hospice

Jamie LaLonde

Jamie LaLonde joined Angela Hospice in 2021 after 15 years serving the geriatric population in healthcare and residential settings. She is a licensed Master Social Worker, holds a graduate certificate in gerontology and has her Nursing Home administrator license. Ms. LaLonde also lectures at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and has volunteered with the Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Homecare and Hospice Association and Leading Age Michigan.

Professor of Religious Studies, Director, Religious Studies and Philosophy, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry,
Madonna University

Dr. Jane E. Linahan

A lifelong Detroiter with a love for nature, Dr. Linahan has dedicated her career to exploring the connections between faith, justice and care for creation. A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy and Marquette University, she has led the Religious Studies programs at Madonna University for more than 13 years. She developed Madonna’s signature course, Franciscan Values, Social Justice and Service and grounds her work in the Franciscan and Felician traditions and Catholic social teaching.

Vice President of Catholic Social Teaching,
Felician Services Inc.

Dr. Michelle Moore-Santana

Dr. Michelle Moore-Santana joined Felician Services in 2023 after serving in leadership roles at Neumann University, where she advanced diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives and led strategic training programs. Active in mentoring and professional organizations, she now serves as Vice President for Catholic Social Teaching. In this role, she collaborates with sponsored ministries and organizational leaders to strengthen the integration of Catholic Social Teaching into ministry culture, decision-making and daily operations.

Vice President of Charism & Mission Integration,
Felician Services, Inc.

Dr. Rita E. Cutarelli

Dr. Rita E. Cutarelli serves as Vice President of Charism and Mission Integration at Felician Services, Inc., bringing more than 25 years of experience in Catholic education, formation and leadership. She previously led sponsorship efforts for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa and held leadership roles at Mercy High School in San Francisco. A passionate advocate for girls’ education and leadership development, she is a board member, retreat facilitator, presenter and author. She holds advanced degrees in theology, nonprofit administration and education.

Music Therapist,
Angela Hospice

Heather Dean

Heather Dean has served with Angela Hospice for nine years and has more than 24 years of experience as a music therapist. After beginning her career working with children with special needs, she discovered her passion for hospice care and became certified in hospice and palliative music therapy. Heather helped develop Angela Hospice’s Creative Connections bereavement groups and Camp Monarch for grieving children. She is also certified in child-centered play therapy and uses trauma-informed approaches to support healing through music and play.

Spiritual Director, Vocation,
Felician Sisters of North America

Sr. Judy Marie Blizzard

Sr. Judy Blizzard, a Felician Sister of North America, serves as a member of the vocation team and ministers at Maryville Retreat Center in Holly, MI, as a certified spiritual director. She leads retreats and workshops on spirituality, contemplative prayer, holistic living and discernment. With a background in education, leadership, and mission work, she has also served as a mission leader for Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs.

Lead Grief Counselor,
Angela Hospice

Keely Rhiannon

Keely Rhiannon is a licensed social worker and Lead Grief Counselor at Angela Hospice, where she provides bereavement counseling, facilitates support groups and develops community education programs. She also trains volunteers to accompany those experiencing loss with compassion and understanding. Passionate about creating safe spaces for reflection and healing, Keely helps individuals and families navigate grief, build resilience and find hope. She is dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations about loss and healing.

Director of Mission Integration,
Angela Hospice

Amy Roose

As Director of Mission Integration at Angela Hospice, a role she began in 2025, Amy Roose brings a deep commitment to Catholic faith and service. Prior to health care ministry, she spent more than 20 years working with middle and high school students in parish ministries and schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, teaching mathematics and religion and serving in campus ministry. She is a servant leader dedicated to advancing mission-centered work and Felician values. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Eastern Michigan University and is an active community volunteer.

Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care,
Felician Village

Barbara Spies

Dr. Barb Spies is a Secular Franciscan and serves as Minister of her fraternity in Milwaukee. She is Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care at Felician Village, a senior living community in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She previously spent 20 years at Cardinal Stritch University as faculty, mission leader and Chair of Business and Communication. She taught business communication, intercultural communication, social media marketing and public speaking. Guided by Franciscan values, she fosters relationships, compassionate care and faith-filled leadership.

Director of Supportive Care,
Angela Hospice

Teri Schmitchen

As Director of Supportive Care, Teri Schmitchen supports staff and volunteers facing the challenges of end-of-life care. A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructor and Opus Peace Ambassador, she promotes resilience, well-being and compassionate presence through mindfulness practices. Drawing on research and experience, she teaches mindfulness as a practical tool for stress management and selfawareness. Participants learn the neuroscience behind mindfulness while experiencing its benefits through guided practice and reflection.

Executive Director,
Franciscan Federation

Dr. Julianne E. Wallace

Julianne Wallace, D.Min., is a mission leader with more than 15 years of experience in Catholic higher education and ministry. Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and the Franciscan tradition, she works to foster inclusive communities and advance the mission and values of Catholic institutions. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations discern vocation and purpose and is known for collaborative leadership, relationship-building and dialogue. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Franciscan Federation.

Licensing Coordinator, Librarian and Closer, Mission Leader,
Felician Children’s Center
Felician Sisters of North America

Sr. Mary Victoria Richardson

Sr. Victoria Richardson has been a Felician Sister for 37 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s in education administration, Michigan certification in elementary education and a professional teaching certificate and is a trained Montessori educator. She has taught multiple grade levels and directed a Montessori school. She has also served as a Mission Leader in early childhood education and currently works as Licensing Coordinator, librarian and closer at Felician Children’s Center in Jackson, MI.

Hospitality Services Assistant Maryville Retreat Center
Felician Sisters of North America

Sr. Mary Anna Falbo

Sr. Mary Anna Falbo has devoted more than 50 years to religious life, primarily serving in Buffalo, New York. Raised in a small town in central New York, she has ministered in a variety of roles, including as a college librarian, a position she especially enjoyed. She also proudly served in the United States Army. Today, she is passionate about her ministry at Maryville Retreat Center, where she welcomes guests and shares the beauty, peace and hospitality of the property.