GIVEN in the media
ADToday: News from the Diocese of Allentown
“Five Diocesan Young Adult Women Discover Spiritual Gifts at Leadership Forum” | Gia Myers
August 28, 2026
This past June, five women from the Diocese of Allentown traveled to Washington, D.C. to take part in one of the largest gatherings of young Catholic women in the country.
The GIVEN Institute hosted its Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum June 24-28 at The Catholic University of America, drawing participants, volunteers, religious sisters, and lay leaders from across the nation for five days of formation, prayer, and mentorship…
National Catholic Register
“‘You Don’t Have to Do to Be’: Women at GIVEN Reflect On Identity, Mission and Spiritual Motherhood” | Jeffrey Bruno
July 6, 2026
I don’t often interview people.
And in thinking about it, I’m not exactly sure why.
Perhaps it’s because in most cases I think I have a grasp of what’s before me. But as a man at a Catholic Womens Leadership Forum, I confess, I was out of my depth. And so, I did what every man does when he’s a bit lost…
EWTN News
“Catholic womenʼs leadership forum tells young women: ‘You are a gift’” | Tessa Gervasini
June 26, 2026
The 2026 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum, taking place in Washington, D.C., this week, exists to help women understand their gifts and how to share them with the world. The five-day gathering is hosted by the GIVEN Institute – a nonprofit organization dedicated to activating the gifts of Catholic young adult women for the Church and the world through faith formation and leadership…
EWTN News
“Mother Agnes Mary Donovan: Awarded for Promoting Life” | Mother Agnes Mary Donovan
March 6, 2026
For over 30 years, Mother Agnes Mary Donovan was the Superior General of the Sisters of Life. In this exclusive one-on-one interview with EWTN’s Colm Flynn, Mother Agnes Mary talks about her upbringing in rural Pennsylvania and how her faith developed at a young age in light of receiving the 2026 GIVEN Fiat Award “for her extraordinary witness to the dignity of women, the gift of life, and the integration of faith and professional excellence.” As an academic in New York, she was a professor in clinical psychology at Columbia University, but felt something was missing and she needed to pursue something more meaningful in her life. Mother Agnes Mary opens up to Colm about that decision to leave the professional world and pursue her vocation, which lead her to become the Mother Superior of the Sisters of Life.
EWTN News
“The GIVEN Institute: Forming Women to Serve the Church” | Clarissa Prisinzano
December 22, 2025
Clarissa Prisinzano, alumna of the GIVEN Institute, shares her involvement with GIVEN and how she has seen it bear fruit in her life. She also offers concrete ways the GIVEN Institute provides formation and mentorship to women and explains where women can apply or get involved.
Mater Dei Radio’s The Morning Blend
“The Given Institute for Young Catholic Women” | Cynthia Psencik
December 15, 2025
Cynthia Psencik, GIVEN’s Mentoring Program & Alumnae Director, shares about how GIVEN helps young Catholic women discover their unique vocation and mission through the leadership program.
Relevant Radio’s Trending with Timmerie
“Finding Peace & Your Mission” | Sister Mary Gabriel Devlin, SV
September 18, 2025
Sister Mary Gabriel Devlin, SV, GIVEN Board Chair, speaks with Timmerie (GIVEN Alumna ’16) about how women from all walks of life can discover their missions.
Creating Our Holy Home Podcast
“For When You’re Discerning How to Use Your Gifts” | Madison Cipoletti
June 27, 2024
Madison Cipoletti, GIVEN 2024 participant, shares her inspiring experience at the Forum. She opens up about embracing her identity as a beloved daughter of God, the importance of receiving love, and discovering and using our unique gifts.
EWTN News – Pro-life Weekly
“Mary Ann Glendon Receives Inaugural Fiat Award” | Montse Alvarado
June 13, 2024
Former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See and Harvard professor receives the Fiat Award. The Given Institute recognizes Glendon for her fortitude in the public square as a Catholic leader, her mentorship of students and continued service to the Church.
National Catholic REgister
“Gathering of Grace: Nearly 300 Women Unite at GIVEN Leadership Forum” | Adriana Azarian
June 12, 2024
Nearly 300 women with hopes of having a faith-driven impact on the world around them gathered at the Catholic University of America to discover their gifts to the Church…
OSV News
“GIVEN Forum Equips Young Women To Pursue Their Unique Callings” | Lauretta Brown
June 8, 2024
Young Catholic women face a lot of pressure today as they try to discern their vocations in life amid a secularized and polarized culture.
One group, originally founded by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious in 2018 after a successful 2016 event, is helping women find affirmation and guidance through a unique mentorship program that encourages them to discover and embrace their God-given gifts…
Ave Maria Radio
Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo | Michelle Hillaert
May 28, 2024
Executive Director of the GIVEN Institute Michelle Hillaert joins guest host Sherry Brownrigg to discuss women’s vocations, roles, and work in the world along with GIVEN’s continued mission to equip the next generation of Catholic female leaders for the Church and world.
Listen Now (begins around minute 34)
Little with GReat love
“What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing Catholic Young Adult Women?” | Michelle Hillaert
April 23, 2024
Executive Director of the GIVEN Institute Michelle Hillaert joins founder of Little With Great Love Lisa Martinez to discuss three of the biggest challenges that Catholic young adult women face today along with three actionable ways to help overcome those challenges in an effort to bring renewal from within.
The MEssy Family Podcast
“Girl Power! An interview with the Given Institute” | Michelle Hillaert
March 18, 2024
Every woman is called and gifted. Those gifts begin to grow when a woman knows who she is as a daughter of God. Mike & Alicia Hernon from the Messy Family Project discuss this topic with Michelle Hilleart, GIVEN Executive Director. There are so many lies and confusing messages being given to young women today and these messages are preventing them from not just being who they were created to be, but also preventing them from knowing how they were created. Listen in to hear about what REAL “girl power” is!
Blessed is she Blog
“GIVEN: The Gift of Accompaniment, the Gift of Hope” | Lindsey Weishar
December 8, 2023
Hearing the invitation to “Discover the gift that only you can give because of the gift you are” is one that still resonates, even a few years after my GIVEN Forum experience. When I applied for the 2021 Forum, the opportunity appeared like a light in what was in many ways a year of darkness. COVID’s physical devastation and devouring isolation descended a few short weeks after I first learned about GIVEN in February 2020…
THe GEnius Podcast
“Fostering Spiritual Maternity: Cultivating Meaningful Connections With Other Women” | Cynthia Psencik
October 30, 2023
Catholic speaker Karen Doyle and Cynthia Psencik, GIVEN Mentoring Program & Alumnae Director, delve into the world of fostering spiritual maternity, building authentic connections, and nurturing meaningful relationships with other women. Cynthia, an expert in this area, shares her wisdom and experiences, offering invaluable insights into the importance of mentorship and meaningful connections in the context of faith. Karen and Cynthia discuss their work and highlight the significance of authenticity, openness, and embracing one’s unique story in the journey of mentorship.