Marilyn Kofler, sp, dmin, is a Sister of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN. Marilyn has ministered as an associate at Church of the Holy Spirit in Schaumburg, IL where she formed the parish’s Ministry of Care and was director of liturgy. She has also served as the Director of Mission Integration for the Sisters of Providence, was Project Manager for Cardinal Bernardin’s Task Force on Catholic Schools, and Executive Assistant for the Department of Catechesis, Evangelization and Worship in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She also helped to establish and coordinate the Ministry Commission in Vicariate I of the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as the Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants. Currently, she is a member of the S.P. Climate Change Task Force. Marilyn has a Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.


Kevin E. O’Connor, CSP, LCPC, LMFT, NCC teaches Pastoral Counseling at Chicago’s Loyola University. Kevin is a professional speaker and works with professionals who have to lead teams of their former peers. Kevin also works for the Marriage Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago as a “peritus” or Court Expert. He has three masters degrees, has authored or co-authored eight books, and has been awarded the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation. Fewer than 600 persons in the world hold this honor for speaking excellence.