Keynote Speakers and Panelists

Michael Barnett, Ph.D.

George Washington University

Principles in Crisis: "What Does the Refugee Crisis Tell us about the State of Humanitarianism?"

Dr. Michael Barnett is University Professor of International Affairs and Political Science at the George Washington University. His research interests include the Middle East, humanitarian action, global governance, global ethics, and the United Nations. Among his many books are "Eyewitness to Genocide: The United Nations and Rwanda" and "Dialogues in Arab Politics: Negotiations in Regional Order." He is an Associate Editor of International Organization. His most recent books are"The Star and the Stripes: A History of the Foreign Policies of the American Jews" (Princeton University Press, 2016) and "Paternalism Beyond Borders" (Cambridge University Press, 2016) (editor).

David Hollenbach, S.J.

Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service

Principles in Response: "Responding to the Refugee Crisis: Ethical Principles and Spiritual Resources"

Father David Hollenbach, S.J., is the Pedro Arrupe Distinguished Research Professor in Georgetown's School of Foreign Service and a senior fellow at the Berkley Center, having previously been a part of the Catholic Social Teaching and the Global Future of Development and Jesuits and Globalization projects. Previously, he was the director of the Center for Human Rights and International Justice at Boston College, where he held the University Chair in Human Rights and International Justice. Hollenbach has also consulted for the Jesuit Refugee Service and taught in the Philippines, Kenya, and Vietnam. He is the author of numerous works, his best known being The Common Good and Christian Ethics(2002). Fr. Hollenbach obtained his Ph.D. from Yale University and his B.S. from St. Joseph’s University; he also earned his M.A. and Ph.L. degrees from St. Louis University. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1964 and was ordained a priest in 1971.

Eva Millona

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)

Welcome Lunch

Eva A. Millona is Executive Director of MIRA, Massachusetts' largest organization representing the foreign born, and co-chair of the National Partnership for New Americans, the lead national organization focusing on immigrant integration. She joined MIRA in 1999 and served as Director of Policy and Advocacy and as Deputy Director before becoming Executive Director in 2008. Prior to MIRA, Eva directed the refugee resettlement program in Central Massachusetts. In her native Albania, she practiced civil and criminal law, serving on Tirana’s District Court from 1989 – 1992, when she was the nation’s youngest district judge ever appointed. Eva is also the co-chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Refugees and Immigrants and serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Eva is the recipient of over a dozen major awards, including the prestigious 2009 USCIS Outstanding American by Choice Award, the 2010 Wainwright Social Justice Award, and the 2011 and 2012 Powermeter Award, presented to the most influential people for Latinos in Massachusetts.

Mark Potter, Ph.D.

Newton Country Day School

Principles in Practice: "A Praxis of Solidarity Across Borders: The Kino Border Initiative"

Dr. Mark Potter is a faculty member teaching religion at Newton Country Day School of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He studied at Fairfield University and the University of Chicago and received a doctorate in Theological Ethics from Boston College. His academic work centers on the development of solidarity in the Catholic social tradition. For ten years, he served as the director of social justice ministries with the Jesuits in the western US, where he played a founding role in the Kino Border Initiative. Mark continues to support the KBI as a member of the emeritus board of directors and a spokesperson for immigration reform.

Michael Sheeran, S.J.

The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU)

Welcome Lunch

Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, S.J. has served as President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) since April 1, 2013. Prior to his arrival at AJCU, Fr. Sheeran was the President of Regis University in Denver from January 1, 1993 to May 31, 2012. He had been academic vice president of the University from 1982-1993. Fr. Sheeran received his doctorate in politics from Princeton University in 1977. His dissertation on the Quaker decision-making process – a variant on Jesuit Communal Discernment -- is now a book used by Quakers to teach their method to new members of their community. He entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1957 and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1970.

Laurie Johnston, Ph.D.

Boston College, Center for Human Rights and International Justice

Emmanuel College

Principles in Response: "Responding to the Refugee Crisis: Ethical Principles and Spiritual Resources"

Dr. Laurie Johnston, is an ethicist working on issues of war and peacebuilding, the environmental impact of war, human rights, and religious liberty. She is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of Fellowships at Emmanuel College and a Visiting Scholar in Boston College's Center for Human Rights and International Justice. She has a longstanding interest in Christian-Muslim relations and is currently working on a project on migration and Catholic universities. She is also engaged in a project on the ethics of nuclear disarmament. Dr. Johnston is a member of the Community of Saint'Egidio and serves on the Steering Committee of the Catholic Peacebuilding Committee. Dr. Johnston holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and Ph.D. in Theological Ethics from Boston College.

Haytham Kaafarani, M.D., MPH, FACS

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)

Harvard Medical School

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Principles in Crisis: "What Does the Refugee Crisis Tell us about the State of Humanitarianism?"

Dr. Haytham Kaafarani is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, the Director of Patient Safety & Quality in the Division of Trauma, Emergency Surgery & Surgical Critical Care, the Director of Clinical Research and the Co-Director of the Trauma Injury Prevention & Outreach Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also an active conflict-area surgeon with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders). He is a leading and pioneer surgeon-scientist nationally and internationally with more than 130 published textbook chapters and scientific manuscripts, many of which focused on improving surgical outcomes, patient safety and quality bench-marking of surgical care.

Denis Kennedy, Ph.D.

C0llege of the Holy Cross

Humanitarianism 101

Dr. Denis Kennedy is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the College of the Holy Cross, where he also directs the Peace and Conflict Studies concentration. His research and teaching interests cover the areas of international organization, global governance, and international relations theory, with a specific focus on humanitarianism. His recent publications address ethical dilemmas in humanitarian imagery and the politics of regional governance. Denis is one of the co-convenors of the JUHAN 2017 conference at Holy Cross.

Chris Kerr

Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN)

Principles in Response: "Responding to the Refugee Crisis: Ethical Principles and Spiritual Resources"

Chris Kerr joined ISN as executive director in 2011. He has over fifteen years of experience in social justice advocacy and leadership in Catholic education and ministry. Prior to ISN he served in multiple roles at John Carroll University, including coordinating international immersion experience and social justice education programming as an inaugural co-director of John Carroll’s Arrupe Scholars Program for Social Action. Prior to his time at John Carroll he served as a teacher an administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Chris speaks regularly at campuses and parishes about social justice education and advocacy, Jesuit mission, and a broad range of social justice issues. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). Chris earned a B.A. and M.A. from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. He and his family reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Kim Lamberty, D.Min

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Principles in Response: "Responding to the Refugee Crisis: Ethical Principles and Spiritual Resources"

Dr. Lamberty oversees Catholic Relief Services’ education, advocacy, fair trade, and social justice programs for students, faculty, and administration of Catholic colleges and universities, as well as Newman Centers. She has taught theology at Marymount University and Catholic Theological Union. Her first book, Eyes from the Outside: Christian Mission in Zones of Violent Conflict, was published in 2014. Dr. Lamberty is also co-founder and president of Just Haiti, Inc., a fair trade coffee development program that works in partnership with associations of subsistence coffee growers in Haiti and markets their coffee in the U.S. Dr. Lamberty holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, an MA in theology from Washington Theological Union, and a Doctor of Ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Emily Lynch, Ph.D.

Marquette University

Principles in Crisis: "What Does the Refugee Crisis Tell us about the State of Humanitarianism?"

Emily A. Lynch is Assistant Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Social and Cultural Sciences at Marquette University. Her research focuses on forced migration, violence, and the humanitarian apparatus that serves those affected by conflict—Congolese refugees in camps in Rwanda. She is currently working on a book manuscript titled, The Dark Gift: Time and Humanitarianism in a Refugee Camp.

Charlie MacCormack, Ph.D.

Harvard University

Save the Children (1993-2011)

Careers in Humanitarianism

Principles in Crisis: "What Does the Refugee Crisis Tell us about the State of Humanitarianism?"

Dr. Charlie MacCormack is an Advanced Leadership Fellow at Harvard University. He serves as Executive-in-Residence at Middlebury College, is the Senior Fellow for Private Development Assistance at InterAction and works with other international think tanks. From 1993 through 2011, Charlie was President of Save the Children, the world’s leading independent nonprofit organization serving children in need.

Giulia McPherson

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Debrief of "Walk a Mile in My Shoes"

Principles in Practice: "A Praxis of Solidarity Across Borders: The Kino Border Initiative"

Giulia McPherson is the Director of Advocacy and Operations at Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. She develops and promotes policy positions related to refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons; leads a community engagement program to educate and mobilize advocates; and oversees JRS’ institutional operations. Prior to joining JRS in 2014, Giulia was a member of CARE USA’s Policy and Advocacy team for 11 years. She has extensive experience in policy analysis, government relations and communications in the international humanitarian and development sectors. Giulia has a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Villanova University and a Masters in International Development Studies from George Washington University. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Educate2Envision International, an NGO working to empower young people in Honduras, and is an appointed Commissioner on the Montgomery County (Md.) Commission for Women.

Julie Mughal

Fairfield University

Careers in Humanitarianism

Julie Mughal is the Associate Director for JUHAN in the Center for Faith and Public Life at Fairfield University. She has 20 years of international development experience, working at Save the Children, where she held the positions of Director for Development Communications and Asia Operations Manager, based both in the U.S. Headquarters as well as in Pakistan and at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) based in Geneva, Switzerland as a project designer/trainer and a Desk Officer for Africa and the Middle East. She is the author of "Land Without Hats", which explores the difficulties faced by widows in the developing world and their courage in the face of adversity. Julie has a M.A. in International Relations from Syracuse University.

Nick Napolitano

Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces of the Society of Jesus

Principles in Practice: "A Praxis of Solidarity Across Borders: The Kino Border Initiative"

Nick Napolitano is the Assistant for Social Ministries for the Jesuits on the East coast of the U.S. In that capacity, Nick encourages and supports Jesuits, Jesuit schools, aand parishes to engage in the most pressing faith-justice issues of our time, including welcoming migrants and refugees. Nick earned his B.A. in Urban Studies and M.A. in International Politics and Economic Development from Fordham University, where he also worked for 6 years in the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice. Nick serves on the board of directors of the Ignatian Solidarity Network, Cristo Rey High School (NY) and the advisory board of the Center for Faith and Public Life. Nick lives in the Bronx with his wife Michelle and daughters Grace and Hannah.

Norbert Piché

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) - Canada

Principles in Practice: "A Praxis of Solidarity Across Borders: The Kino Border Initiative"

Norbert Piché is the Country Director for JRS-Canada. As Country Director for Canada, Norbert represents JRS to the Canadian Bishops and national organizations for the defense of refugees. Norbert has extensive experience in the refugee/immigration field. He worked for 15 years at the Centre francophone de Toronto as a Settlement Counselor and later as the Coordinator of Settlement Services. Previous to that, he was a Jesuit Volunteer at Romero House, a welcome centre for refugee claimants in Toronto. Norbert has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba.