Maria is excited to continue with Eucharistic mission, after coordinating two routes of the 2024 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage with Modern Catholic Pilgrim. Maria is also the co-director of the Before Gethsemane Initiative, a Catholic organization that facilitates racial reconciliation. She holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a M.A. in international affairs from The George Washington University. Maria is a former college professor who has taught classes in human rights, international relations and public policy and is known for fostering civil discussion across political divides. She previously served as a missionary for FOCUS, followed by a couple of years as a high school youth minister. She and her husband reside in Lincoln, NE with their children.
Kathleen joins the National Eucharistic Congress with a heart for serving the Church, most recently in her parish of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Phoenix. Shortly after her conversion and return to the Catholic Church in 2005, she discovered Eucharistic adoration and has had a weekly holy hour since. As she drew nearer to Jesus over the years, several providential mentors helped shape her passion for stewardship, discipleship, and evangelization. A 2012 graduate of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute and 2015 graduate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, she is a dedicated behind-the-scenes manager with an unusual knack for seeing the big picture while swimming in the details. She lives in Phoenix with her husband, daughter, and black lab.
Prior to joining the National Eucharistic Congress team, Kris served as a Director of Youth Ministry at the parish level and more recently as the Vice President of Vagabond Missions. Kris has also been privileged to travel around the country, sharing the Gospel with teens and adults at retreats, camps, conferences, and parish missions. Over the years, he has contributed to various evangelical and catechetical writing projects and publications. In 2020, Kris published his first book, Hope Always: An Anchor for Life’s Storms. He is a graduate of Franciscan University, where he also serves as an adjunct professor of Catechetics. Kris lives in Steubenville, Ohio, with his wife, Grace, and their five children.
Dana comes to the National Eucharistic Congress from a background of teaching in Catholic schools. Her love for the Church and the Eucharist has led her to this position, and she is so pleased to be a small part of this enormous movement in our Church. She is inspired by Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s words, “We can do no great things. Only small things with great love.”
Sarah Houde is orchestrating the event planning and execution of the National Eucharistic Congress. Her love of event planning stemmed from an early age with her childhood party planning notebook. Since then, in her 15-year career, she has executed hundreds of ministry events for thousands of people across the country. With a heart for hospitality, a love of details, and impressive organizational skills, she finds much joy in setting the stage for God to work. Originally from the picturesque state of Maine, Sarah also has an impressive travel resume—from paragliding through the Swiss Alps to riding a camel in Israel, she’s enjoyed the wonders of the world. When not traveling or preparing for events, you can find her throwing a dinner party, learning to waltz, and enjoying the beautiful things in life.
Prior to joining the National Eucharistic Congress team, Tanner Kalina served as a FOCUS missionary. He is the co-creator of the Saints Alive podcast, which tells the stories of the saints to tens of thousands of families across the world. He is an international speaker who has shared the Gospel with ministries such as Ascension Presents, EWTN, FOCUS, NET, and many others. He chases holiness in his day-to-day, failing frequently but continuing constantly. Tanner and his wife currently live in Denver, Colorado.
Married for twenty years, father of five, convert, Jason serves as the President of the National Eucharistic Congress. Previously, the President of the Our Sunday Visitor Institute, Jason Shanks is a sought-after speaker, thought leader, and strategic mind. With degrees in the new evangelization and business, he has helped found and reinvigorate Catholic initiatives for more than two decades. In 2020, Jason was intubated for six weeks due to Covid, and through the prayers of many was miraculously healed. In 2021, he and his wife, Melissa were named Catholics of the Year for their witness to faith in a time of suffering.
Joel Stepanek is responsible for guiding the teams that empower and energize the grassroots efforts of the Eucharistic Revival. He has served in a variety of ministry and leadership roles, including as a parish youth minister, RCIA team member, and Vice President of Parish Services at Life Teen. Joel is an author and speaker who is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus Christ and sending them out on mission. He earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University—Global and a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Fordham University. Joel is an avid Spartan-racer and home cook who enjoys spending time with his wife, Colleen, and three children in Phoenix, AZ.
