Since January 2005, Sister Ellen Doyle has been full-time in facilitation and consulting work in three areas: leadership development, spiritual development and organizational development. Most of her work is facilitating Chapter and assembly sessions with religious communities of men and women, facilitating planning with Catholic non-profit and educational organizations, Board development and organizational change projects, and faciliating leadership discernment sessions and staff development days with parishes. Last summer her work took her to Krakow, Poland to facilitate the International Synod of Salvatorian Priests.

To this task she brings several decades of leadership experience within her own community, various religious communities, parishes and other faith based organizations. Half of her time is dedicated to serving as a trainer (Learning Leader) for the Catholic Leadership Institute and its Good Leaders, Good Shepherds leadership development program for priests. Since January 2007, she has served in 19 dioceses, presenting the 2-year program to approximately 475 priests.

In addition she is responsible for coordinating the training and assignments for 21 other Learning Leaders. Sister Ellen led focus groups and a national planning session that resuled in the development of an expanded program. Currently Sister is serving as President of the Women Writing for (a) Change Foundation Board and as a Trustee at Ursuline Academy, where she is facilitating their planning process.

She says, “Even with the significant travel, I value staying connnected with my Ursuline community, my family and my friends, who keep me posted on what is happening on the home front and help me be faithful to prayer, community life and practices that keep me healthy (like getting a good night’s sleep after a late plane trip!). All of this work is very satisfying, even with the challenge. It all seems to have emerged from my past ministry experience where the threads of leadership, education, planning and spirituality have all been interwoven with one another.

At the end of a busy month, I give thanks for the breakthroughs of both new and experienced pastors who find new tools to be effective leaders with their staffs and Parish Councils. I wonder how I can be a resource to a religious community discerning about electing its next team of leaders. And I pray for the grace to be generous with the many gifts I have received from my experience and from those who have mentored me along the way.”