Missionaries of Hope, Advocates for Justice
Saturday, January 25 – Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Christian Soenen serves as the Projects Manager at Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, where he supports the Initiative’s programming and communications and has a key role in leading its Latino Leader Program. He is also a graduate student with Georgetown’s Institute for the Study of International Migration. Before going to Georgetown, he supported migration advocacy and organizing efforts with the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico and worked with immigration attorneys in Austin, Texas on asylum cases. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021 having studied government, philosophy, and economics.
Danny Rauda serves as the Coordinator of the Social Justice Ministry at St. Anthony Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. Danny is also a board member of El Programa Hispano Católico, a leading Latino-serving organization in Oregon that is part of the Catholic Charities network. He recently earned a Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago, where he was among the first fellows of the Haciendo Caminos Initiative and was honored with the university’s President’s Medallion for academic excellence, leadership, and service. He has received advanced training in broad-based community organizing through the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Pacific.
Dulce Valdez serves as the Director of Parish and Community Engagement for Catholic Charities Community Services in Arizona. She bring awareness to more than 20 programs and services to the Catholic community and the community at large in Central and Northern AZ. She manages service projects by middle school students called, Miracle Projects, to bring light to Catholic Social Teachings as they help the poor locally. Dulce has a B.A. in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Bilingualism. She is a graduate of the Tepeyac Leadership Initiative and currently serves as the Chair of the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Leadership Team.
Emily Schumacher-Novak serves as the Associate Director of Education and Outreach of the Secretariat of Justice and Peace at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Emily has written and spoken about the transformational nature of Catholic Social Teaching and our call as Catholics to be engaged members of our civic and global communities. She holds an M.A. in Systematic Theology from Marquette University and has advanced studies in Ignatian Spirituality. Emily has extensive experience in developing and accompanying young adults while working for ten years in Catholic Higher Education. She enjoys leading retreats and days of reflection whenever possible.
Ingrid Delgado serves as the National Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA. She previously worked in government relations and domestic policy roles for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as in youth outreach and refugee resettlement programs at Catholic Charities of Central Florida. Her volunteer work has included youth ministry and catechesis and serving as a board member of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; Hogar Crea International’s Orlando Chapter; and the Florida Pregnancy Care Network. Ingrid earned her B.A. at the University of Central Florida and her M.P.A. at Florida State University.
Leyden Rovelo-Krull serves as the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph. She is a regular contributor to The Catholic Key magazine and an active advocate on Capitol Hill, where she meets with lawmakers to promote policies rooted in human dignity — particularly those impacting immigrants and marginalized communities. Leyden has collaborated with Catholic Relief Services, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Catherine of Siena Institute. She holds a degree in Legal and Policy Studies and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University. Leyden is a sought-after national speaker and a trusted voice on issues of faith, justice, and culture.
