Board Members

Lisa Brenninkmeyer

Chairman of the Board and Founder

Lisa Brenninkmeyer, raised as an evangelical Protestant, entered the Catholic Church in 1991. She has led Bible studies in Europe, Mexico and the United States and has written curriculum for women and children. She founded Walking with Purpose in 2008 out of a desire to see women come to know Christ personally. Her speaking and writing are inspired by a desire to see women transformed as they realize how much God loves them. She holds a B.A. in psychology from St. Olaf College. She lives with her husband, Leo, and their six children, in Annapolis, Maryland.

Julie Ricciardi

Co-Chairperson

Julie is married to David Ricciardi and they have two children, Henry and Claudia who attend Central Middle School. They are members of St. Mary Parish. Educated at Boston College, Julie earned bachelors’ degree in Economics and Theology. Her professional experience was concentrated in the transportation industry, where she worked as an international marketing manager for United Parcel Services in Greenwich and Atlanta, Georgia. Walking With Purpose has renewed her faith and she is inspired to bring more women into a deeper relationship with Christ.

Carolyn Brown

Social Media Strategist

Carolyn Brown was educated at Franciscan University, earning Bachelors degrees in Philosophy and Theology. Later she earned a Masters in Music at the Catholic University of America. Carolyn's professional experience includes singing and conducting. She coordinated a Walking wtih Purpose chapter at St. Mary's in Alexandria, VA and since relocating has enjoyed the chapter in Wayne, PA. Carolyn is wife to Luis and mother to three children. Carolyn is continually excited about Walking With Purpose and the tranforming effect it has had on her own life and so many friends.

Bev Svehlak

Treasurer

Bev Svehlak brings to Walking with Purpose her career experience as a controller, financial analyst, and strategic planner, as well as a deep love of her Catholic faith, and the desire to continue to grow closer to Christ. Her career with a large restaurant chain in Dallas, Texas, was happily interrupted to raise a family of three children with husband Bob in Annapolis, Maryland, where they now reside. In addition to serving on the board, Bev is an active member in the Walking with Purpose ministry at St. Andrew by the Bay Parish in Annapolis. She holds a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master's degree in business administration from SMU in Dallas, Texas.

Lisa MacCarrick

New Chapter Expansion

Lisa and her husband Tim have four wonderful children and recently celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversary! Her family has moved many times over the years and now feels blessed to call Philadelphia home. Walking with Purpose is an amazing ministry that reaches women with a genuine sincerity and gentle compassion, guiding them as they grow closer to Christ. Lisa treasures the many friendships she has made in this program and feels privileged to have a role serving women participating in Walking with Purpose.

Maribeth Harper

Leadership Training

Maribeth Harper has worked in the area of women’s spirituality for more than 15 years. Most recently, as a board member for Washington DC Pure Fashion, she raises funds to support the program, which encourages high school girls to dress modestly. As a board member for Walking with Purpose, her emphasis is training. She is also currently writing a book to support the Walking with Purpose program. She is a wife of 26 years, Homemaker and mother of four ages 24-18. Maribeth speaks often on themes of adolescents, family life and spirituality.

Carolyn O'Malley

Web Admininstrator

Carolyn is a member of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Chester and is actively involved with her parish. Carolyn started with the Eastern Shore chapter of Walking with Purpose in 2008 as the administrator. Being involved with WWP has been a gift. She cherishes the time with her Walking with Purpose friends and is grateful every day for how much her life has been enriched, with a new renewed focus on her faith. Carolyn volunteers her time to work with WWP in hopes that WWP will expand it's reach to other women throughout Catholic Parishes in the US and abroad.

Jillian Buhl

Promotion

Jillian is the C.F.O.(chief family organizer)of a family of 4. Her husband is her rock and her scaffolding as he supports her where she feel called to serve. "I am up to my eyeballs in woman's ministries, and I love it!" WWP has been a rewarding experience, so much so, that she has cut back in other areas of parish work to concentrate on what she believes to be a beautiful, Holy Spirit driven opportunity that is all ready yielding beautiful fruit.

Krystyna Olmstead

Secretary

Krystyna and her husband live in the Bethesda and are parishioners of Holy Redeemer. She loves to travel (over 30 countries), crafting with her two beautiful bonus children, and being part of Walking with Purpose (WWP). She believes the program is a wonderful blessing for the HR community. Krystyna currently serves as the Administrator for our Holy Redeemer WWP Chapter and would love to meet you at the next WWP event.