In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Sally shares hard-earned wisdom from decades of leadership in academia, corporate boardrooms, and now as the leader of Catholic Charities.

From raising children while navigating a demanding career… to stepping away from status and security… to embracing a 30-day silent retreat rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola — this episode is an honest look at what it means to lead with faith, humility, and courage.

Sally opens up about:

• Parenting when your children are not currently walking in faith

• Letting go of income, status, and control to stay aligned with God

• Learning to say “no” in order to make margin for the right “yes”

• Developing a personal rule of life during sabbatical

• The four principles that reshaped her leadership

• What it means to “be small” while leading an organization serving hundreds of thousands

• Navigating diversity, humility, and listening in compassionate leadership

• Why silence is foundational to deep faith

She also shares the spiritual influences that shaped her journey, including the mystical tradition, the writings of Teresa of Ávila, Thérèse of Lisieux, and the simple yet profound words of Mother Teresa:

“The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace.”

This episode is a masterclass in compassionate leadership — blending corporate rigor with deep spiritual dependence. If you’ve ever wrestled with ambition, scale, status, or the tension between effectiveness and humility, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.