Sponsorship Staff

Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI, Ph.D., serves as Senior Director, Theology and Sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Prior to joining CHA, she held the role of congregational leader for the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio from 2014 to 2022. From 2016 to 2019, she served as the president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.She held leadership roles with CHRISTUS Health, fostering strong relationships between sponsors and governance leaders. Originally from Mexico, she joined the Sisters of Charity and took her vows in 1998. Prior to her leadership roles, she was a principal at the congregation's schools in Mexico.Sr. Teresa holds a doctor of philosophy in history from El Colegio de Mexico, a master of arts in systematic theology from the Graduate Theological Union, and a bachelor of arts from Yale University.As a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Sr. Teresa has extensive experience as a teacher, history professor, administrator, leader, facilitator, and speaker. She is committed to forming ministers who aim to transform both the Church and society. Passionate about lifelong learning and the future of consecrated life, Sr. Teresa has facilitated and consulted with various religious congregations.Contact

Lori Ashmore-Ruppel serves as senior director, mission services management at the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). In her tenure with CHA, Ashmore-Ruppel has also served as director, sponsor services, and as a research associate. In these capacities, her focus was on the planning and facilitation of the Sponsor Formation Program for Catholic Health Care and research in the domains of ethics, mission, and formation.Ashmore-Ruppel contributes to the management, alignment and development of measurable outcomes for programs and projects within the mission department. Furthermore, Lori is involved in resource development, facilitation and content presentation for the department, aiming to enhance the overall effectiveness and integration of all programs and offerings, with a particular emphasis on sponsorship and formation.Lori's responsibilities encompass advancing the department's work through research, writing and managing major departmental programs and projects. She coordinates the planning, production and implementation of sponsor programs, including the Sponsor Formation Program for Catholic Health Care. This program aims to equip current and prospective members of the ministerial juridic person with the necessary skills to fulfill their roles as stewards of the health ministry within the Catholic Church. Additionally, Lori actively participates in CHA’s Foundations of Catholic Health Care Leadership, contributing her expertise to support leaders across the ministry.Ms. Ashmore-Ruppel received her master's degree in pastoral studies from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis and a graduate certificate in non-profit leadership and management from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. She has a bachelor's degree in human services from Fontbonne University in St. Louis.Contact