Keynote Speaker Bios. Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND. Fr. Tom Elewaut

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1 Keynote Speaker Bios Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND Sister of Notre Dame Melannie Svoboda, brings a wealth of insight and experience across education, leadership and spirituality in her roles as secondary and college educator, provincial and novice director. Currently she is devoted to the written and spoken word and the place they have in uncovering evidence of God's goodness in our lives and work. Sr. Melannie is a nationally sought after retreat director and conference presenter. She is the author of 13 books and numerous articles. Sr. Melannie s blog Sunflower Seeds is enjoyed by people curious about God and the spiritual life. It s for people who like to pray or who struggle with prayer. For people whose faith is strong or whose faith needs strengthening. And for people who are trying to find God in the events and situations of their particular lives. Sr. Melannie has impacted many through her writings, talks, and retreats as well as her time in the classroom. One of her former students and current Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of Raleigh s News & Observer, John Drescher, says: "One of the greatest blessings of my life was to cross paths during my senior year of high school with Sister Melannie Svoboda. She was a gifted teacher -- engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about her subject matter and her students. We became great friends and have been for 40 years. Other than my parents, she's the most influential person in my life. She's a talented teacher, writer, communicator and administrator. But to me she will always be, first and foremost, my great friend." Fr. Tom Elewaut Ordained to the priesthood in 1986, Fr. Tom Elewaut, V.F. is the current pastor at Mission San Buenaventura, which is the last mission founded by Saint Junipero Serra. He is also Dean for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He ministered in secondary education for 30 years including 8 years as principal and 4 years as president at St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria where he led the school to a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and inaugurated the President-Principal administrative model. He also served eight years as principal at Bishop Garcia Diego High School in Santa Barbara and oversaw the transition from an archdiocesan school to an independent Catholic high school. Rachael Manzo, alum of Bishop Garcia Diego High School and former student of Fr. Tom Elewaut says:

2 Fr. Tom has made an immeasurable impact on my life. During my years as a student at Bishop Diego, Fr. Tom not only modeled God-centered leadership, but embraced each of his students and celebrated their individual talents. Fr. Tom never failed to share with me his observations of my own leadership and how much I would positively impact the world in the future. He has been a huge inspiration of faith, hard work, and resilience in difficult times. In my life today, I am continually blessed by Fr. Tom s guidance and prayers as I walk through my own journey as an educator. A blessing to say the least! Fr. Tom earned an undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Long Beach, a Master of Arts degree in Education: Administrative Services from Cal Poly, SLO and a Master in Divinity from St. John s Seminary in Camarillo. In 1993, he received the NASSP Outstanding Principal award and in 2008 he received the NCEA Secondary Schools Department Award. The Most Reverend Nelson J. Perez (Celebrant of Liturgy on 6/20) Nelson J. Perez was born in Miami, Florida in 1961 and was raised in West New York, NJ. Bishop Perez earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Montclair State University, and a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Bishop Perez was named the 11 th Bishop of Cleveland in 2017 after serving numerous positions within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, PA and the Diocese of Rockville Center, NY. During the early years of his priesthood, Bishop Perez was a parish priest and an instructor in the church ministry program at the seminary. He was named chaplain to His Holiness Pope St. John Paul II with the title of monsignor in Bishop Perez was active in Hispanic ministry, serving as assistant director of the Office for Hispanic Catholics in Philadelphia, and he was founding director of the Catholic Institute for Evangelization. My ministry as a parish priest and pastor has always been a particular hallmark of my service to the Church, the bishop notes. I have been blessed to engage people in every moment of their lives, from the joyful to the sad, and to be an instrument by which they could encounter Christ in their lives. This has been particularly true in liturgical and sacramental moments, which span the many experiences and stages of life. Beginning his ministry with the Diocese of Cleveland Bishop Perez noted he wants to build the kind of Church that Pope Francis advocates. Such a Church is proactive, involved with the faithful, accompanies people on their faith journey, and it is fruitful and joyful. Although he is the first Hispanic bishop of the diocese, Bishop Perez said he doesn t necessarily see himself in that way. I m a Catholic bishop and I have the advantage of being bilingual, he said. What you see is what you get with Nelson, says his younger brother Louis. He s a regular guy, a person who inspires trust, who is approachable, a fun guy, a prankster, a people person, a joyful person who laughs easily and laughs at himself. Source: Page2

3 When words alone are not enough... KELLY CROY S PE A K E R, A RT I ST, A N D E D U C AT O R

4 THE BEST SPEAKERS ARE THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN, INSPIRE, AND CHALLENGE. Kelly combines a great keynote message with a live art performance. He combines the performance with a powerful musical score and then brings the art to life with computer animation. It is a unique, powerful, and entertaining experience for all. Whether I am in the classroom, speaking on stage, writing, or creating art, my goal is to inspire people to live richer and fuller lives.

5 UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU VE EVER EXPERIENCED.,, An excellent presentation! Kelly captured everyone s attention. He had an excellent rapport with the audience before, during, and after the program. We will be inviting Kelly back to our camps! Mike Gottfried, ESPN College Football analyst & commentator, former NCAA Div. I football coach at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Kansas, & Murray State. Kelly s art performance is an incredible live performance that combines the energy of speed painting, the power of a musical score, with the mystery and wonder of bringing it to life with computer animation. Kelly s storytelling, humor, and inspirational words tie the art to the message, leaving a lasting impression with each member of the audience. You will not be able to count the flashes going off on the cell phones as the audience attempts to capture Kelly s finished masterpiece.,,,,,, Very beneficial. We will be inviting Kelly back any chance we get! I recommend him to everyone. Paul Rocky Alt, Executive Vice President of Team Focus Kelly is the only presenter to receive all excellent ratings from the annual meeting in the history of the Ohio School Board Association. Ever! Outstanding Job! Richard Lewis, Executive Director for the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) Certified in Convention Management by American Society of Association Executives Kelly s presentation was captivating and inspiring! His words on communication, vision, leadership, and most importantly ATTITUDE, have been a wealth of insight for our corporation. Keeping people focused, fulfilled and motivated is always a challenge. Thank you Kelly for an enjoyable and fruitful meeting! Mark Almeida, Vice President, Sales: Tuthill Transfer Systems

6 SIX THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT KELLY. 1. KELLY S CAREER STARTED AS A MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER. Kelly has taught and coached for over twenty years. He started teaching at twenty-one. He holds a Master s Degree in English Literature. He is a masterful storyteller and can capture and keep the attention of any audience. He always keeps a good book near him. 2. KELLY GIVES HIS ART AWAY. After every performance, Kelly gives the large, beautiful, six foot by eight foot masterpiece to the organization that invited him to speak. The dynamic speed painting will amaze the audience and when Kelly leaves, the organization always has a physical reminder of his inspirational presentation. The artwork has been displayed in offices, conference halls, lobbies, and schools across the nation and even auctioned for charitable events. Kelly also creates an exact duplicate of the art he performs, in the form of a small art print, complete with the organization s logo, and message, for each member of the audience to have signed after the performance and take home. 3. KELLY IS AN EAGLE SCOUT. Kelly was awarded the rank of Eagle from the Boy Scouts of America in It is as important to him as his college degree and rewarding as his experience as a college football player. The rank of Eagle is like having a Ph.D. in being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. He is always prepared and gives his best. 4. ART IS KELLY S PASSION. Kelly not only creates incredible speed paintings, he also creates fine art in his studio: acrylic paintings, sculptures, editorial cartoons, and colorful illustrations that have been used for book covers, posters, and more. Outside of spending time with his family, Kelly is happiest creating art. 5. KELLY LIVES WITH FIVE WOMEN. Kelly is happily married and has four daughters. 6. KELLY SINGS IN THE CAR. It s not really important, but we thought you might want to know in case you ever have to ride with him.

7 SOMETHING NEW. SOMETHING DIFFERENT. is a Th is go od For booking information, please contact: Kelly Croy info@kellycroy.com

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