The LC Team
We strive to function in the way we desire to see the world - collaborative and interdependent. Through our varied backgrounds, we bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to help foster programs relevant for the transformational leadership needed today and into the future.
We are passionate about helping you access your leadership capacity through personal growth, understanding and growing in consciousness about the systems in which we live, and dreaming for what is possible and boldly moving into an emergent, yet unknown future of religious life.
Read more about us and let us know how we can assist you continue to develop your leadership capacity.
Linda Buck, CSJ
Executive Co-Director
Linda is a Sister of St. Joseph of Orange (California). She is the Director of the Leadership Collaborative, which focuses on leadership formation and fostering emergent systems. Linda is a licensed psychotherapist and spiritual director and has an academic background in clinical psychology, theological studies, and transformative leadership. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Transformative Social Change. She works with congregations and groups to foster change within their hearts and systems. Linda is passionate about the ability of individuals and systems to grow toward their fullest potential and uses her background to foster culture change within current and emergent systems.
Ryan Hoffmann, D.Min
Executive Co-Director
Ryan has an extensive background in faith-based leadership in nonprofit settings. Key areas of responsibility have included strategic planning and mission effectiveness, organizational operations and administration, brand/identity development, designing and implementing constituent engagement strategies, content management (publications, websites, and social media), and media messaging and public/external relations. He attained a Certificate in Executive Leadership from McCormick Theological Seminary in 2018 and graduated from the Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union in 2020.
Outside of work, Ryan is an avid Iowa State Cyclones sports fan and cheers on the Chicago Cubs. He loves hanging out with his nieces and nephew, listening to podcasts and audible books, traveling, and playing with his rambunctious Airedale Terrier, Cooper.
Elia Cardenas, D.Min
Associate Director
I am a deacon's wife and mother of four girls who recently graduated from Doctoral Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Because I firmly believe that we are God's instruments to bring about inclusion, solidarity and peace to the marginalized, I do ministry in the highlands of Chiapas, supporting the indigenous people formation and communities. Locally I am adjacent theology teacher for the diocese of El Paso, TX, doing migrant ministry in my spare time.
Pat Murray, CSJ
Operations Manager
Pat Murray, CSJ is originally from Chicago, IL. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Dominican University in Business Administration. She spent 15 years in the computer industry. She entered the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1998. During this time, she ministered as a Pastoral Associate, Campus Minister, and Director of Religious Education. In 2016 she entered the Congregation of St. Joseph where she has ministered as the Executive Director of ABLE Families, a social services agency in Mingo County WV; Director of Ministry of the Arts; and a Business Consultant. She currently lives in Charleston, WV with two other Sisters of St. Joseph.