913-758-6552
retreats@scls.org
Leadership
Elected in 2022
Current members of the SCL Community Council include seated, left to right, Sister Melissa Camardo, and Sister Rosemary Kolich, Councilors; standing, left to right, Sister Nancy Svetlecic, Councilor, and Sister Eileen Haynes, Community Director.
Sister Eileen Haynes
Community Director
Previously, Sister Eileen served two consecutive terms on the SCL Council, beginning in 2010. Her ministries focused on education, spirituality, eco-justice, and social justice. She taught in the U.S. and Peru and held administrative positions as: a school principal and director of a diocesan house of prayer, a high school admissions department, and a degree completion program. Sister Eileen is a former member of the National Board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and formerly SCL liaison to the non-governmental organization (NGO) for the Sisters of Charity Federation at the UN. Currently, she is a member of the Vincentian Family Executive Committee.
Sister Melissa Camardo
First Councilor
Sister Melissa serves in ministry roles with the Vincentian Family and the Sisters of Charity Federation. She was convener of the 2021 North American Vincentian Family Gathering, and is a national core team member for Giving Voice, a peer-led organization for younger women religious. Previously, she was director of development for LifeWay Network, a safe housing and education program in Queens, New York, and was vice president of mission and sponsorship for Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Currently, Sister Melissa is a member of Leaven Ministries, the sponsoring body for SCL Health.
Sister Nancy Svetlecic
Councilor
Sister Nancy is a licensed therapist in private practice for the past eight years in Redondo Beach, California. She serves young adults and seniors in areas of relationships, addictions, grief/loss, depression, anxiety, and transitions. Previously, she practiced for Bridges in El Monte, California, and was a mental health counselor and residential program coordinator for ISIS Center in San Diego. Sister Nancy has experience in marriage and family therapy and serving a marginalized, homeless population in a residential setting. Much earlier in ministry, she served in parishes as a pastoral counselor, and in secondary education.
Sister Rosemary Kolich
Councilor
Sister Rosemary is a professor of English at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas since 1997. She became Chair of the Language and Literature in 2015. She was installed as the Mary Janet McGilley Endowed Chair in Liberal arts in 2021. Prior to her work at the university, Sister Rosemary taught English and journalism for many years in secondary schools. She is a member of the Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Hermana Esther Vilela Gutiérrez
Director of Latin American Missions
Hermana Esther entered the SCLs in 1987 and served a teacher in Peru for over 22 years. Hermana Esther became the Director of Latin American Missions in 2021.
Sister Jean Anne Panisko
Community Treasurer
Sister Jean Anne is serving her second term appointment as SCL Community Treasurer. In this role, she serves as an SCL Officer with members of the Community Council. Before assuming the Treasurer’s position in 2010, she spent 29 years as the principal at Annunciation School, Denver. Prior to that, she was an educator for several years. Sister Jean Anne has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Saint Mary and a master’s in administration from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio. She is a board member for St. Mary’s Medical Center, Grand Junction, Colo.; the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth; and Advocates for Immigration Rights & Reconciliation.
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth
4200 South 4th Street
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
Phone: 913-682-7500
Fax: 913-364-5401
Email: communications@scls.org