The Peacebuilders Initiative couldn't happen without the efforts of these outstanding people who share some essential qualities: They are dedicated to the Peacebuilders mission, they are exceptionally organized and hard-working and, above all, they love to work with teens! Here's the lowdown on the people behind this amazing project:

Megan Kennedy-Farrell serves as the Director of the Peacebuilders Initiative. Megan is passionate about a "faith that does justice" and has worked extensively with youth, young adults and community groups around various issues of peace and social justice. Megan is thrilled to be working with young people developing a sense of their calling and commitment to the world and the Church.

Before coming to Peacebuilders, Megan worked at Nazareth Farm in West Virginia connecting high school and college students to rural families through service and relationship development. She directed the Alternative Break Immersion program in University Ministry at Loyola University Chicago (where she also received her Masters degree in Religious Education) and worked with the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, advocating for human rights, justice and peace in the Americas. Megan has traveled extensively through Latin America and is on a constant journey to learn Spanish. She is married and lives in Chicago.

Phone: 773.371.5434
Fax: 773.684.1067
Email: mkennedy@ctu.edu

Kyle Schreiner serves as the Associate Director for the Peacebuilders Initiative. He has also worked twice with the program as a mentor. Prior to coming on board with Peacebuilders, Kyle’s interest in working with youth was ignited during a year-long youth ministry internship at the Milford Spiritual Center in Milford, OH. While there he helped design and facilitate retreats for junior-high and high-school students.

He is a native of Cincinnati, a Marquette University graduate with bachelor’s degrees in theology and history, and is currently completing his Master of Divinity studies at CTU. When not in the office or catching up on his class work, Kyle enjoys running, fighting climate change, and making music with his guitar, djembe drum, or voice (badly). Kyle and his wife Lori live in Chicago.

Phone: 773.371.5433
Fax: 773.684.1067
Email: kschreiner@ctu.edu

Sheila McLaughlin is director of the Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry and oversees the operations of the Peacebuilders Initiative. A graduate of Catholic Theological Union, Sheila was appointed by Cardinal Bernardin to be the first lay person and first woman to head the Chicago Archdiocesan Office of Divine Worship. She continued to serve in that capacity for his successor Cardinal Francis George.

A respected educator and gifted speaker, Sheila serves on the board of directors for the Siena Center at Dominican University and for the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation. She is also a liturgical consultant for the Catholic Health Association. In 2001 she received the Pro Ecclesia et Ponfice Award from Pope John Paul II for outstanding service "for the church and the pontiff." Sheila is the mother of three grown sons and is a young grandmother of four.

Phone: 773.371.5435
Fax: 773.684.1067
Email: smclaughlin@ctu.edu

Matt Rice is the Webmaster at Catholic Theological Union where his duties include being Webmaster for the Peacebuilders Initiative website. Matt comes to Peacebuilders from Dallas, Texas. He is married to a wonderful woman, Weslei, and has two sons.

Matt earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the Peacebuilders team, Matt was director of youth ministries at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. His passion for youth ministry and social justice came from wonderful experiences working with youth mission trips.

When he is not online Matt is either working on his house, playing video games, or studying for his Master of Divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union.

E mail: mrice@ctu.edu
Website: mattrice.org

Contributing web writers Hedley Abernethy, Fr. Cory Brost, Bart Hisgen, Megan Kennedy-Farrell, Jake Kohlhaas, Lindsay Little, Stephen Murphy, Meghan Murphy Gill, David Philippart, Eldon Santiago, Kyle Schreiner, Fr. Don Senior, and Adam Setmeyer.