Mary Kathryn Allen ( Director of Outreach )

Anyone who knows Mary Kathryn identifies her with her overflowing joy and authentic love for people. Mary Kathryn’s history with the JP2 Project started before it existed. In 2013, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy, and participated in a pilgrimage to Poland under the leadership of her residence director, now co-founder of the JP2 Project. Mary Kathryn graduated from Ave Maria University Magna Cum Laude and received the St. John Paul II Award, which recognizes a student who contributes significantly to the social and spiritual culture on campus. For the past two years, Mary Kathryn has been working as the Project Manager at the Pope Leo XIII Institute, where she’s successfully prepared and coordinated all logistics related to nationwide and international events and conferences, managed the Institute’s finances and website, and assisted with meetings for the Board of Directors.

While carrying out this full-time job, she found time to help the JP2 Project with advising young people interested in participating in the programs and generating more interest. With her passions for working with people, the teachings and witness of her favorite saint, John Paul the Great, and her natural affinity to this Project’s mission, Mary Kathryn felt drawn to go all-in with the JP2 Project. We’re overjoyed to bring on Mary Kathryn in 2020 as our full-time Director of Outreach, in which she handles participant advising, collaborates with partner institutions, and assist in promotional and formation events stateside. Mary Kathryn lives with her husband Curtis in the greater Chicago area, where they both enjoy coaching (and playing) tennis in their free time.