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Catholic Leadership Conference 2026
The Catholic Leadership Conference is dedicated to forming, uniting, and empowering Catholic leaders for mission. Our conference aims to enrich your personal and professional development while providing a platform for networking and public witness in the Catholic community.
"FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS"
Uniting Leaders for Prophetic Witness
2026 CONFERENCE:
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
Uniting Leaders for Prophetic Witness
At a moment of profound cultural confusion and spiritual crisis, faithful leaders are being called to stand with clarity, courage, and conviction.
For Such a Time as This: Uniting Leaders for Prophetic Witness will gather Catholic voices from across the nation to confront the challenges of our age and rekindle a bold vision for renewal.
Join Catholic leaders from across the country,
October 5-7, 2026, at the Augustine Institute in St. Louis, MO, as we follow the mandate of our mission statement, "...to form, unite, and embolden Catholic leaders for mission...while focusing on...personal formation, professional networking, and public witness."
October 5 -7, 2026
The Augustine Institute
16805 New Halls Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63034
The new location of the Augustine Institute in St. Louis, MO
About the Catholic Leadership Conference
Our History: Uniting Catholic Leaders for a Stronger Church
In 1997, a small yet visionary group of Catholic leaders gathered with a shared mission—to create a space where Catholic apostolate leaders could collaborate, exchange ideas, and support one another in strengthening the Church. This pivotal meeting marked the birth of the Catholic Leadership Conference (CLC), an organization dedicated to fostering unity, innovation, and collective action among Catholic leaders.
From its inception, the CLC has been a driving force for building alliances between Catholic apostolates, enabling organizations to work together on shared challenges, amplify their impact, and create a unified Catholic voice in legislative and cultural discussions.
The First Conference: A Vision Becomes Reality
In 1998, the CLC hosted its inaugural conference in Philadelphia, a one-day event themed "Imagining and Implementing Collaboration." The keynote speaker, Senator Rick Santorum, set the stage for deep discussions on how Catholic organizations could join forces to strengthen their missions. This gathering marked the beginning of an annual tradition—bringing together the brightest Catholic minds for strategic networking, faith-filled discussions, and leadership development.
Growing a National Catholic Leadership Network
Over the years, the Catholic Leadership Conference grew into a premier gathering of presidents and founders of Catholic apostolates, Catholic college presidents, influential authors, and leading Catholic entrepreneurs. Conferences have been hosted in cities across the country, each serving as a catalyst for deeper collaboration among Catholic leaders. Many initiatives and partnerships that have strengthened the Church’s mission in the modern world were born from these conferences.
Challenges and Revival: A New Era for CLC
Like many organizations, the Catholic Leadership Conference faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a temporary pause in annual gatherings. However, the mission of CLC remained strong, and the spirit of collaboration never faded.
With its rich legacy and renewed momentum, the Catholic Leadership Conference continues to serve as a beacon of unity, collaboration, and leadership for the Church, looking at the spiritual formation and renewal of Catholics in leadership positions within the Church and Her apolstolates.
The current CLC Board is comprised of: Michael Hernon, President, Elizabeth Westhoff, Vice President, Mary Beth Bonacci, Secretary, and Rose Sweet, Treasurer.