Honoring the outgoing Board Chair, Sr. Kathryn Clauss, IHM, Ph.D., and Welcoming Dr. Mary L. Gautier, the new Board Chair
After helping lead the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) to reach more than 1.2 million lives impacted across Africa, Sr. Kathryn (Katie) Clauss, IHM, Ph.D., is passing the gavel as Chair of the ASEC Board of Directors to Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D., effective July 2026.
Throughout her tenure as Board Chair, Sr. Katie has provided steadfast leadership and an unwavering commitment to ASEC’s mission of providing educational opportunities that strengthen the capacity of Catholic sisters across Africa to serve their communities. Reflecting on the importance of ASEC’s work, Sr. Katie shared,
“This is an important organization in the life of the Church, in the life of the congregation, and in the lives of the sisters, both here and in Africa.”
Sr. Katie’s vision and dedication have helped shape ASEC into a collaborative ministry that continues to transform lives through education. On behalf of the entire ASEC community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sr. Katie for her years of faithful service, thoughtful leadership, and enduring commitment to Catholic sisters in Africa. Her legacy will continue to influence ASEC’s mission for years to come.
ASEC is pleased to welcome Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D., as the new Chair of the Board of Directors. Mary has served ASEC with distinction as Vice Chair and Board Secretary and has witnessed firsthand the impact of the organization’s programs through her travels to Africa. During a visit to Kenya in 2025, she had the privilege of presenting graduation certificates to 118 participants in ASEC’s Sisters Leadership Development Initiative (SLDI). Reflecting on that experience, Mary said,
“It was just a joy to see such committed and eager students who could see a useful application for virtually every component of what they learned.”
Mary’s longstanding commitment to ASEC, combined with her deep understanding of the transformative work of Catholic sisters across Africa, positions her well to lead the Board into its next chapter. Her experience, insight, and passion for ASEC’s mission will help ensure the organization continues to support sisters as leaders, educators, and agents of change in their communities.
Please join the entire ASEC community in thanking Sr. Kathryn (Katie) Clauss, IHM, Ph.D. for her remarkable leadership and dedicated service, and in congratulating Mary L. Gautier, Ph.D. as she begins her role as Board Chair.
Together, we celebrate a legacy of faithful leadership while looking forward with confidence to the future of ASEC and its mission to educate, empower, and support Catholic sisters serving throughout Africa.
Be a Ray of Hope
Communities across Africa are counting on Catholic Sisters, but 48 lack the education needed to carry out their important mission work. You can be a Ray of Hope for a Sister who needs you by donating to her education today.
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