Ignatian Solidarity Network Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Directors: Teresa Cariño Petersen and Julie Fissinger

BY ISN STAFF | July 20, 2023

The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) Board of Directors has unanimously voted to welcome Teresa Cariño Petersen and Julie Fissinger each for a three year term beginning  July 1, 2023.

The Ignatian Solidarity Network is a national faith-based social justice education and advocacy organization inspired by the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. ISN was founded in 2004 and is a lay-led 501(c)(3) non-profit working in partnership with universities, high schools, and parishes sponsored by the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) along with many other Catholic institutions and social justice partners.

Teresa Cariño Petersen is an educator and activist living and working in the Bay Area. Her work focuses on ethics, spirituality, and embodiment with a special concentration on racial justice. Her graduate work at the Jesuit School of Theology culminated in her capstone thesis, “Embodied Spiritual Repair: The Case for Somatic Discernment in the Work of Justice,” pioneered a burgeoning practice of somatic discernment. She has since presented her work at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice and for individuals and small groups.

Cariño Petersen is an alumna of St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco, CA. She went on to study theology and religious studies with a double minor in Catholic thought and social teaching and Philippine studies at the University of San Francisco. While at USF, Cariño Petersen worked in the university ministry office, served as a student leader, and participated in several immersion programs. She had the privilege of studying in the Philippines with the Casa Bayanihan program—arguably one of the most foundational experiences of her life. Upon graduating, Cariño Petersen moved to New York City, where she served as a Jesuit Volunteer community organizer. After falling in love with New York, Cariño Petersen stayed in the city and worked as a pastoral associate at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. She eventually moved back to her beloved Bay Area, where she resides with her husband and dog just steps from Golden Gate Park.

Cariño Petersen loves to write and preach. Her work can be found on ISN’s Rise Up series, National Catholic Reporter, and Catholic Women Preach. Some recordings of her preaching can be found through St. Ignatius Church, San Francisco. One of her homilies will be featured in the upcoming publication of Catholic Women Preach: Raising Voices, Renewing the Church: Cycle B from Orbis Books. She also serves on the board of directors for the National Catholic Reporter. You can follow her on instagram @teresacarinopetersen and on substack.

Julie Fissinger is the Senior Executive Director of Fordham University’s President’s Council. In this role, she engages, solicits and stewards a select group of leadership donors to the University. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Julie graduated from the Ursuline-sponsored Beaumont School, and received her Bachelor of Arts in economics and philosophy from Boston College.  Before moving to New York, Julie served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Seattle, WA. As an active member of her Brooklyn Oratory parish social justice committee, Julie has led parish service projects for both youth and adults centered around hunger relief and sustainability. In addition to striving to support people who live on the margins, Julie has a passion for animals too, volunteering with both a local dog and cat rescue. Married to a fellow Boston College graduate, Julie and her husband Kevin have three children, one of whom is a graduate of Loyola Marymount, and one that is headed to Loyola Chicago in the fall! Julie is thrilled and honored to be joining the ISN Board.