Over 400 Catholic business leaders discuss faith, profession
Hundreds of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders convened at the Morris Inn from September 8-11 for SentVentures’ SENT Summit, a conference for Catholic professionals. Featuring talks by prominent Catholic business leaders, sessions for small groups, and opportunities for the reception of the Sacraments, SENT provided attendees with a plethora of insights on incorporating their values into the workplace.
SentVentures was founded by Notre Dame alum John Cannon. As stated on the company’s website, its mission is to facilitate connections between professionals who feel “too Catholic for [their] business friends, but too driven for [their] Catholic friends,” through hosting conferences, offering fellowships, and sponsoring pitch competitions.
For Sam Mazzarelli, SENT Chief Community Success Officer, living as a Catholic in the workplace is simple, not showy. “We desire to empower Catholic entrepreneurs to build for the kingdom,” he told the Rover. “About 80 percent of Catholics don’t go to Mass anymore, but somewhere between 95 and 98 percent of them go to work everyday, so it’s a great opportunity to be able to share Christ’s love and mercy with those who maybe don’t know Him.”
Mazzarelli went on to describe how even simple practices, such as praying before meals at work, taking time to listen to a suffering colleague or employee, and fairly compensating employees are examples of “putting the dignity of the human person first … [and] fulfilling the great commission to make disciples of all nations.”
Each day of the SENT summit began with Confession, Adoration, and Mass, followed by keynote addresses. Featuring 35 renowned Catholic members of the business community, the talks encompassed a range of topics, from investing using Catholic principles to evangelization in the workplace. Speakers included former actor and Disney Channel director David Henrie, author and speaker Emily Wilson, and Alex Jones, a Notre Dame alum and the co-founder of the Hallow prayer and meditation app.
At its 2022 inaugural conference in Houston, SENT attracted around 80 attendees. This year, the conference was sold out, completely booking the Morris Inn. When asked to comment on their experience, many attendees responded with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Beth Bubik, CEO and founder of the Catholic Fasting Coach, is a two-year member of the SENT community. “I joined them because [I wanted] to build a company of saints,” she explained. “I have all the experience to actually build a business in a secular world, but I needed all of the tools to fold the faith into my [work], and that’s what I got.”
“It’s very inspiring,” Katie Zulanas, an attendee of the conference and the Executive Director of the Fertility Science Institute, told the Rover. “Being able to pray together is really strengthening. … It’s so nice to really see our faith in action. This is a room full of entrepreneurs, and they are all problem solvers, so it’s very inspiring just to talk to people here.”
For others, the goal of the conference was to further form their capabilities for evangelization. Different from many of his peers at Catholic businesses, Brian Kearney, CEO of Farmland Stock Exchange, shared his intentional choice to work at a secular company. “As long as you are deeply into your faith … it’s a good training practice,” he told the Rover. “We’re not called to just do Catholic businesses. You can [live out] your faith at a Fortune 500.”
“Be bold and unapologetic,” Mazzarelli affirmed. “Lead with our faith.”
More information about the Summit and SentVentures can be found on their website.
Madeline Page is a sophomore studying biology. She is inspired by the resilience and tenacity of the humble tardigrade. If you don’t know what a tardigrade is, she would be delighted to enlighten you. Contact her at mpage4@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: SentVentures
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