In advancing the life and mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the leadership team invites BVMs to an ever deepening commitment to further the mission of Jesus. They keep before the sisters the call to holiness which both inspires and finds expression in spiritual growth, apostolic community life, and ministry.
LaDonna Manternach, BVM – President
LaDonna Manternach, BVM will be president of the congregation. President since 2021 and second vice president 2016–2021, LaDonna is a graduate of Beckman High School in Dyersville, Iowa, and Clarke University in Dubuque, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music. Her master’s in music education is from Holy Names University in Oakland, Calif., and her Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance is from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn. A Cascade, Iowa, native, she served as an elementary music teacher in Iowa and California, and as assistant professor of music, and in campus/youth ministry at Clarke University.
Katherine “Kathy” Kandefer, BVM – First Vice President
Katherine “Kathy” Kandefer, BVM will be first vice president. Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Mundelein College in Chicago and a master’s in ministry from Creighton University. She served as a pastoral associate; diocesan director of catechesis; coordinator of initial membership for the congregation; associate director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and director of conferences and events for the Theological Union, both in Washington, D.C.; and operations manager for the Religious Formation Conference in Chicago. She has been vice president for the past four years.
Anne Marie McKenna, BVM – Second Vice President
Anne Marie McKenna, BVM will be second vice president. Anne Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Mundelein College in Chicago and a master’s of art in teaching in elementary education from Lewis and Clarke College in Portland, Ore. Anne Marie taught elementary school for 20 years on the east and west coasts, in Chicago, and served at Clarke University for three years. She ministered as a parish liturgy and music director in Dubuque and California for 21 years and then served the congregation in liturgy and music at Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque. She has served the congregation on its stewardship committee, board of directors, and regional and assembly planning committees.
Amy Gold, BVM – Third Vice President
Amy Golm, BVM will be third vice president. Amy earned a bachelor’s in English from Clarke University and entered the congregation in 1993. After clinical pastoral education at Loyola University Medical Center, she was a hospice chaplain in Palos Heights, Ill. Following final vows in 2003, she earned a master of divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary and served as Clarke’s campus liturgist, then director of campus ministry. In 2014, she joined St. Agnes Hospital’s spiritual care team, in Fond du Lac, Wis., specializing in palliative care. Today, she serves as a chaplain at MercyOne in Dubuque, as co-chair of the continuity and coordinating committee of the congregational assembly, and on the board of directors
The Sisters of Charity, BVM are members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), Silver Spring, Md. LCWR is an association of the leaders of Catholic women religious in the United States, representing approximately 49,000 sisters. LCWR assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world. It works with the Catholic Church to influence systemic change, studies issues within the church and society, and utilizes its corporate voice in solidarity with people who experience any form of violence or oppression.