Jesuit Collaborative

The Jesuit Collaborative is blessed with the addition of two new members to the Board of Directors.  They bring outstanding talents and new strengths to an already exceptional Board and share a strong commitment to advance TJC's mission.  The new directors widen the scope of the Board's expertise, with professional backgrounds in ministry and business.  With roots in Washington, D.C., they help balance the Board's geographic representation across TJC's Atlantic region.

More about these new board members, including their backgrounds and why they are excited to join the Board follows.

Brian Gagnon
Washington, DC.  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Washington Federal Advisory Practice
Brian and his wife Allison live in Washington, DC with their two year old son, Alex.  Brian, formerly a Maryland Province Jesuit Novice, studied Political Science at John Carroll University and earned a Master of Arts in Urban Affairs at Saint Louis University.  Before entering the Society he served as a Presidential Management Intern at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Washington, DC, and continued at SBA working in its finance and outreach programs.  Most recently he held several senior management positions at Newtek Business Services, a financial services distributor, before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP this Fall.  Allison and Brian attend Holy Trinity Parish in Georgetown.  "I'm excited to participate with and contribute to a group that is committed to expanding the reach of the Spiritual Exercises.  I'm excited, too, because I feel the Collaborative is so well positioned to make a significant impact." 

Martina O'Shea
Washington, D.C., Pastoral Associate for Ignatian Spirituality and Prayer, Holy Trinity Catholic Church
In her current position, Martina O’Shea is responsible for creating and directing a sustainable and comprehensive, parish-wide program in Ignatian spirituality that is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She received training to give the Spiritual Exercises, offer spiritual direction and lead contemplative prayer groups at the Jesuit Center for Spirituality, the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, the Ignatius Jesuit Center of Guelph and the Washington Theological Union. She holds graduate degrees in mental health and neuroscience. Martina finds joy in supporting and facilitating retreats for women who are in transition from homelessness and addictions as part of the Ignatian Spirituality Project in Washington. She lives with her husband, Michael in Alexandria, VA.  "I am grateful for the invitation to join individuals on the Board who have a passion for Ignatian spirituality. It is a profound privilege to accompany men and women through the Spiritual Exercises and witness the transformation that can occur as the person’s friendship with Christ deepens. In serving on the Board, I hope that some of our experience at Holy Trinity, in adapting the Exercises to meet individuals where they are on their journey to God, can be helpful to others in the tri-provinces."