As Communications Director, Elena works to communicate NETWORK’s mission and work to our advocates, partners, media, and new supporters. Prior to joining NETWORK, Elena worked in environmental and Catholic nonprofits, as well as U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Medicare…

Giovana Oaxaca is a NETWORK Senior Government Relations Manager. In her role, she champions humane and just immigration policies at the federal level. With deep experience in Catholic, interfaith, and secular coalitions, she brings a collaborative spirit to her work with impacted individuals, faith communities, and policymakers. Previously, Giovana was the Program Director for Migration…

A mission-driven nonprofit executive, Laurie Carafone is a visionary leader with proven success driving strategic and sustainable growth, ensuring financial stability, and developing innovative programming responsive to the signs of the times. She is dedicated to expanding organizational capabilities, fostering high-performing teams, and mobilizing resources to maximize impact. Prior to joining NETWORK, Laurie served at…

Drake Starling is the Senior Government Relations Advocate for Energy and Environmental Policy, working for just, inclusive, and effective federal environmental legislation and executive action. His efforts to expand NETWORK’s political ministry are done in collaboration with Catholic, interfaith, and secular partners. In nearly 10 years of work in the environmental and legal sectors, Drake…

As Senior Grassroots Mobilization Organizer, Catherine Gillette works to strengthen NETWORK’s field across the country—building Advocates Teams, mobilizing supporters, coordinating campaigns, conducting trainings, and forming new partnerships. She works primarily with NETWORK’s teams and advocates from CA, TX, OH, MI, NY, and VA. Most recently, she has provided leadership to NETWORK’s campaigns related to democracy,…

Chelsea Puckett is the Youth & Young Adult Mobilization Coordinator at NETWORK. In this role, she guides students and school communities in advocacy efforts for federal policies rooted in Catholic Social Justice values. Chelsea leads the Young Advocates Leadership Lab (Y.A.L.L.) and has acted as the point person for the Sister Carol Coston, OP Fellowship…

Minister Christian Watkins, M.Div., is a Senior Government Relations Advocate at NETWORK. He is a proud alum of Jesuit College Preparatory (Dallas, TX), and has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Loyola University in New Orleans. After working in the corporate world for about ten years after undergraduate graduation, Christian was called to…

Sister Eilis McCulloh, HM, JD, is a Sister of the Humility of Mary. She joined the staff at NETWORK in 2020 and currently serves as the Grassroots Education and Organizing Coordinator. Prior to joining NETWORK, Sister Eilis spent more than 10 years ministering in refugee resettlement and immigration services in St. Cloud, MN, Akron, OH,…

Sister Emily TeKolste, SP, is a member of the Grassroots Mobilization team, engaging NETWORK advocates and supporters in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Emily’s background as a volunteer activist and organizer is supplemented by work in environmental and justice education and as a programs and volunteer coordinator at a neighborhood food pantry…

Sister Erin Zubal, an Ursuline Sister of Cleveland, is Chief of Staff at NETWORK. In this role, she leads internal coordination and integration of teams and operations to advance NETWORK’s mission. Sister Erin is the first person to serve in this position and brings a depth of knowledge and experience in education, social work, and…