Church consulting for the modern world.
Church is different these days, and needs new, visionary practices in order to uphold the traditions we hold so dear.
Trish can help.
“For more than four years, I’ve known Rev. Dr. Trish as an excellent teacher and communicator, a very gifted writer, and a significant contributor to many conversations—where her positive spirit and the profundity of her thought shine. Trish has significantly contributed to the interjurisdictional efforts of the Inclusive Catholic movement, stepping up on a number of occasions to provide leadership and lessons for lay and ordained leaders, and sharing metaphors, stories and images that “stick."
— Rev. Dr. Jayme Matthias, coordinating director, Extraordinary Catholics.
What people say:
Trish Sullivan Vanni's leadership is characterized by a remarkable commitment to inclusivity, fostering a welcoming environment within the Church community. Her visionary practices for shaping the Church's mission reflect a deep understanding of diverse perspectives, ensuring that the vision resonates with individuals from all walks of life. Her passion for cultivating vocations shines through her mentorship and guidance, inspiring a new generation to embrace their spiritual calling. In meetings and teaching sessions, Trish's facilitation is both engaging and insightful, creating an atmosphere of learning and collaboration that strengthens the spiritual fabric of the community.
— Deacon Etchi Besem Oben, PhD. Cand., leader of ECC Africa
When I have had a really tough and very high-stakes process that needed courageous, expert, and pitch-perfect facilitation, I’ve turned to Trish Sullivan Vanni. In the throes of the Catholic Church’s clergy sex abuse scandal, when in many dioceses trust between priests and their bishop was at the breaking point, I needed co-facilitators for multi-day dialogues with them all in the room to identify, confront, and overcome barriers to greater unity in their common ministry. I called Trish. She navigated her several assignments with a combination of sensitivity and forthrightness that empowered participants. Ever conscious of both her own social location and the dynamics among participants, Trish knows how to keep the process on course to meet its goals even as they evolve while also honoring a group’s diverse and sometimes conflicting needs. As a facilitator Trish is a natural.
James H. Alphen, former Executive Director, National Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy
Consulting services for the modern world.
For more than two decades, I’ve been applying my strong facilitation and leadership development skills on behalf of parishes, dioceses, religious orders, parachurch and ministerial organizations. That work has included research on the health of organizational systems, consulting on vision and mission setting, and large group processes related to future direction.
I am profoundly committed to dialogical, inclusive processes that create an even playing field within systems, drawing on my dissertation research related to collaborative leadership. I work collaboratively with clients to develop events and gatherings that move, engage, and energize participants.
My goal is always to produce powerful outcomes: realistic, doable action plans that align vision with strategy, and mobilize the talents of your team – lay and ordained, salaried and unsalaried – to take action that makes a lasting difference.