Meet the Staff behind Blessed is She

Annie Deddens is a writer and producer. She and her husband run a prayer ministry called Pray More Novenas. She has a heart for the sick and suffering. She writes about living with greater faith (hope and love, too) in this imperfect world as a Catholic wife on her blog, Catholic Wife, Catholic Life. Find out more about her here.

Aubrey Major is an artist and designer living life joyfully in the Midwest. She has a new favorite color every week, loves laughing any chance she can get, and scrolls through Spotify playlists way more than any social media. She is passionate about loving the world through her creativity and designing unique things that help others see the goodness in their lives. Join her in making art and collecting inspiration here.

Bella Rol is a college student from Monterey, CA. She is studying Early Childhood Education as she pursues her dream of working with children and one day having her own to care for. In the meantime, she is the big sister to three younger brothers. In her free time she is usually found with her sketchbook and art supplies as she doodles away.

Blythe Fike is the wife of Kirby and mother of eleven kids in small town SoCal. She firmly believes sanctity is found in the everyday and is trying hard to live that truth, despite her countless fumbles. She enjoys sunshine in heavy doses, good music, and babysitters. She is a contributing author to our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Bobbi Rol is a wife and mama living on the Monterey Bay in California with her husband, daughter (also a Blessed Is She writer), and three teen boys. When she is not driving her kids to school, practices, and games, she can be found by the ocean, catching a late night movie,  or decorating her planner. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holyand our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her at revolutionoflove.com. 

Brittany Calavitta is an enthusiastic advocate for a good book, strong coffee, and a hopeful heart. After battling years of infertility, she and her husband welcomed their first child on September 11, 2016. Brittany dances professionally all over Southern California where her family currently resides. She was a contributing author to Here Too: Where We Find God and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women. Find out more about her here.

Cathy Webb is a consecrated virgin for the Diocese of Wilmington and the creator of the Sacred Heart to Heart journal. A full-time Library Assistant, she loves long books, long skirts, and, above all, long talks with her divine Spouse. She delights in prayerful encounter with the Universal Church, but holds a special place in her heart for Dublin, Ireland, where she gave Christ her “yes.” Find out more about her here.

Christy Isinger is a wife and mom to five lovely, loud children and lives in northern Canada. When not homeschooling, she is a devoted reader of English literature from Jane Austen to Agatha Christie and blogs about beauty and life. She is the co-host of the Fountains of Carrots Podcast. She is the author of Blessed Conversations: The Ten Commandments. Find out more about her here.

Claire Dwyer writes with the desire that all women see the sacredness of their stories in light of Salvation History. Speaker, Retreat Leader, Author of This Present Paradise, senior copywriter and content editor for Avila Foundation / Spiritualdirection.com, and co-founder of the PraiseWriters community, she knows firsthand the power of words to set a fire on the earth. She lives in Phoenix with her family. Find out more about her here.

Debra Herbeck is a Jewish convert to the Church who serves extensively in youth and women’s ministry. She directs Pine Hills Girls Camp (for 35 years), and is the Founder and Director of the Be Love Revolution. Find her books here. She and her husband have four children and nine grandchildren. She is the author of Blessed Conversations: Dwell and Misericordia. Find out more about her here.

Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, and teacher. She is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. Elise hopes to live a life full of authentic beauty—especially through her song, her cut-flower garden, great books, delicious ice cream, and her yes to the Father. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan with her husband, son, and two daughters. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.

Elizabeth Blanke Show is a remarried widow and mama to seven beautiful kiddos. She is passionate about creating community, and loves gathering people to share meals and music in her home. She also loves spending time in nature and exploring new places. You can find her on Instagram @elizaraxi.

Emily Stimpson Chapman is the author of more than a dozen books and studies for women, including The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Food and Faith Meet and These Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body, and as the general editor for the Formed In Christ High School Textbook series. She was a contributing author to Loving God, Loving Others: 52 Devotions to Create Connections That Last. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and son. Find out more about her here.

Emily Wilson Hussem planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic musician and speaker at the hand of God. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to women living a counter-cultural life of joy. She is the author of two children’s books, God’s Glorious Girl and God’s Brave Boy, and Awaken My Heart, a devotional for women of all ages. Find out more about her here.

Gina Fensterer finds daily life to be perfect for practicing virtue (so many opportunities for patience and humility) with her six children. She loves the Jesus prayer, long runs, and coffee at any time of day. She loves to create products to encourage women seeking everyday holiness. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Jana Zuniga Pingel is an artist and designer based in Colorado Springs, where she resides with her husband. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is the founder and owner of January Jane Shop, an online boutique for Catholic art and goods. When she isn’t busy doing entrepreneurial things, she’s cooking a new recipe, hiking a mountain, or party planning.

Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. She loves Saturday mornings, DIY projects, road trips, solo time in Adoration chapels, and pretty much any flea market she has ever come across. She is the author of Blessed Conversations Misericordia. 

Katie Prejean McGrady is a speaker and award winning author of four books. She hosts The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM’s The Catholic Channel and the Ave Explores podcast with Ave Maria Press, the Like a Mother podcast with OSV, and Family Mass Prep on the Hallow App. She tries to create a happy and cozy home in Lake Charles, Louisiana with her husband, Tommy, and daughters, Rose and Clare. 

Kendra Tierney Norton is grateful to be a wife, mother, and stepmother. She lives in the wilds of unincorporated Los Angeles County in a big old fixer-upper house with her husband and a varying number of their combined fourteen children, plus one fish, two cats, and twenty chickens. She likes to say that her goal is keeping Catholicism weird. To that end, she is the author of books including the Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life with Ignatius Press and O Come, Emmanuel: Advent Reflections on the Jesse Tree for Families with Emmaus Road Publishing, the creator of the TV series Catholic All Year At Home on FORMED, and the CEO of Catholic All Year, an apostolate dedicated to helping parents live out their Catholic faith and pass it along to their children.

Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.

Liz Kelly is a jazz singer who met Jesus in late-night Adoration. An award-winning author of nine books, including Jesus Approaches and Love Like a Saint, she holds advanced degrees in creative writing and Catholic studies. She is trained as a spiritual director and leads retreats with a particular focus on helping women to flourish in their faith. She is a contributing author to Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women. Find out more about her here.

Mariana Pimiento is a Colombia-born storyteller and artist. She enjoys big dinners with her Colombian family, talking about Theology of the Body, and any chance for a bonfire. The preaching Dominican friars brought her back to the Catholic faith while a student in New York City. Mariana served several years as a FOCUS missionary and now continues college ministry work in Nashville. Find out more about her here.

Mary Catherine “Mave” Craige spent years as a life coach helping others to achieve their dreams, and she now pursues her own dream as a professional artist. Her inspiration is the beauty of nature, specifically the human person as the epitome of creation. Hailing from the rolling hills of Virginia, she now calls the west coast of Florida home. When she is not making art, you may find her dancing, playing music, or out on the water either surfing or sailing. You can find more about her here
@mave_art

Mary Peach lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. She works remotely as a resource specialist for Regnum Christi after recently finishing her Master’s in Psychology. She was born in Ethiopia and adopted when she was eleven years old. Mary fell in love with the Lord as a deep and personal friend and made it her mission to help others encounter Him the same way she did. She loves to share her adoption story and healing journey in hopes to help others embrace their journey of healing as well.

Dr. Mary Ruth Hackett is a writer, national speaker, and podcast host covering topics in psychology and faith.She holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and works at the important intersection of faith and developmental science, blending them in the original harmony God intended.Dr. Mary Ruth is the author of Daughter by Design: Discovering Your Identity as God's Beloved Daughter, a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, enthusiastic hockey mom, and Army Veteran living in Denver, CO.  In her “spare” time she serves as a Catholic Writer, Speaker, and Women’s Mentor, helping women to embrace their God-given dignity and deepen their prayer relationship with the Lord. Megan is the author Offer it Up: Discovering Deep Meaning and Powerful Purpose in Suffering, a writer for SpiritualDirection.com, and a longtime team member of Blessed is She. Megan adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors almost as much as she adores Jesus in the Eucharist. Learn more at MeganHjelmstad.com.

Mytae Carrasco Wallace is Las Vegas born and raised and holds a Masters in Public Administration. She and her husband have the privilege of leading Pre-Cana retreats for their home parish. On the daily you can find her raising her three kiddos, choreographing dance moves to entertain her children, and doing her own version of carpool karaoke. She was a contributing author to All She Had. Find out more about her here.

Olivia Spears lives in Kentucky, where sweet tea and bourbon flow like milk and honey. She holds degrees in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville and works from home while enjoying her children and husband. She is the narrator of Set a Fire, And Hay Became Holy, and All She Had as well as a contributing author for Rise Up. Olivia is the founder of Into the Deep, where you can find catechetical resources that help Catholic parents build a legacy of faith in their homes. Find out more about her here.

Rachel Balducci has a Masters degree from the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia and teaches at Augusta University. She and her husband Paul have five sons and one daughter and are part of an intentional Christian community in Augusta, Georgia. Rachel is the author of several books and is the co-host of The Gist of CatholicTV. Find out more about her here.

Rocio Hermes is a Dominican-born, US-raised, stay-at-home mom who is excited about building community, baking desserts, and writing poetry. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and has lived in Ethiopia as a missionary. Rocio now lives in Israel with her German husband and their son. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell. You can read more from her at graceandmercyblog.com.

Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here. 

Dr. Samantha Aguinaldo-Wetterholm is a wife and mom to four little ones and practices dentistry at a public health community center for low income families in the Bay Area, California. She (unashamedly) thinks ice cream is its own food group and does not leave the house without wearing sparkly earrings. She was a contributing author to All She Had and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.

Sarah Elizabeth is a graduate student studying International Security. She earned her Bachelor’s in Politics from The Catholic University of America, and now resides in the Washington, DC area with her cat, Regina. Originally from Arizona, Sarah treasures iced oat milk lattes, mountain views, and Saint John Henry Newman. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell,Here Too: Where We Find God, and Loving God, Loving Others: 52 Devotions to Create Connections That Last. Find out more about her here.

Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to five boys while living in a 200-year-old farmhouse in Western New York. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, keeping the family library, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire. Find out more about her here.

Sarah Rose, M.Div., is a wife and mother living in Cleveland, Ohio. She loves Ignatian Spirituality and is passionate about faith, social justice, and the intersection of the two. Find out more about her here.

Senite Sahlezghi is native to Colorado and a consecrated virgin for the Archdiocese of Denver. She is a first generation Eritrean American, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s in Counseling Psychology, and serves as the School Counselor for St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School. Grateful to be in a place surrounded by mountains and live music, the greatest privilege of her life remains being called to be Christ’s bride.

Shalini Blubaugh is a Minnesota transplant living in Coppell, Texas. She served with NET Ministries and went on to graduate with her J.D., though happily left all things law behind. Along with her roles as wife and mom, she now runs her own company,Pray. Train. Grow., as a Certified Fitness Trainer and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. Her mission is to help Catholic women grow STRONG in mind, body, and heart through the integration of Faith, fitness and food.

Sister Maria Fatima entered the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in 2005 and teaches middle school religion in Ohio. She holds a MA in Theology from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. She delights in helping her students to draw closer to Jesus through the Eucharist and to discover their truest identity as beloved children of the Father. She was a contributing author to All She Had. Find out more about her here.

Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi, after twenty years in religious life, is discerning a call to found a community of consecrated religious women dedicated to Our Lady and who will pray reparation for sins against the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, pray for conversions, and work for the evangelization of those who have left the Church or feel furthest from the Church.

Tricia Tembreull is a seasoned ministry professional dedicated to guiding young hearts toward spiritual growth, healing, and the love of Christ. With a background in youth and young adult ministry, Tricia has served in various roles, including as a youth minister, college campus ministry at USC Caruso Catholic Center, and Regional Director for Life Teen International. As a devotions writer for Blessed Is She, she shares scripture reflections that resonate deeply with women of faith. Recognized as a compelling Catholic speaker, Tricia challenges audiences to embrace their faith with authenticity. Additionally, as a spiritual director, she provides compassionate support to those seeking deeper connections with God. Currently serving as the Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry and Evangelization for the Diocese of Orange, Tricia continues to inspire young adults to embrace their faith journey with zeal and purpose, embodying a commitment to spreading the gospel while fostering communities of love.