The GIVEN Institute
The GIVEN Institute seeks to activate the gifts of women that both the world and the Church are very much in need of. The primary goal of the GIVEN Institute is to help young women receive the gift that they are, realize the gifts they’ve been given, and respond with the gift that only they can give. This mission is materialized through the Institute’s flagship event, the GIVEN Catholic Women’s Leadership Forum, as well as year-round programming such as regional events, leadership skills training, and prayer initiatives.
Suggested Interview Questions
- Can you tell our audience what the GIVEN Institute is and how it got started?
- What does the application process consist of for any young woman discerning involvement with GIVEN?
- How are GIVEN’s mentors vetted and ultimately chosen to accompany those in the program? What kind of formation do they provide?
- Who are some notable GIVEN alumnae? Can you explain their projects and what they are doing now?
Media Requests
Contact communications@giveninstitute.com for interview requests.
Past Media Appearances
Past Media Appearances
Catholic Faith Network
CFN Live | Cynthia Psencik
March 31, 2022
Cynthia Psencik joins CFN Live to talk about The GIVEN Institute and its programs.
EWTN
Life on the Rock | Rachel Harkins Ullmann
February 20, 2022
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Fr. Mark Mary on Life on the Rock.
Catholic Women in Business
10 Leadership Tips for Catholic Women | Rachel Harkins Ullmann
February 16, 2022
Rachel Harkins Ullmann contributes her leadership tips for Catholic women as a guest writer.
CatholicTV
This is the Day | The GIVEN Institute
February 2, 2022
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Kevin Nelson on This is the Day to talk about GIVEN and the 2022 Leadership Forum.
Conversation with Cardinal Dolan
Conversation with Cardinal Dolan Show
January 11, 2022
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Cardinal Dolan to talk about GIVEN and the 2022 Leadership Forum.
Review for Religious
Nourishing Cross-Vocational Relationships: GIVEN Forum 2021 | Lindsey Weishar
September 9, 2021
Lindsey Weishar reflects on her experience at the GIVEN Institute’s Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum. She appreciatively notices the GIVEN Forum’s emphasis on the universal call to love, but also excavates the power, possibilities, and tensions of relationships across various states of life.
Our Sunday Visitor
Why GIVEN 2021 was a sign of hope for the Church | Mary Hallan FioRito
June 21, 2021
In June, 130 Catholic women, selected from a pool of applicants, gathered at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., for four days of prayer, spiritual direction, inspiring talks, dynamic workshops and individual mentoring. The goal? To help each woman recognize the gift that she is to the Church and to her own family and community, and to help her discern her vocation as she enters the (generally) most intense time of decision making — decisions that then form and shape her entire life’s journey.
Outside the Walls
The GIVEN Institute & the Feminine Genius
June 19, 2021
Timothy Putnam interviews Rachel Harkins Ullmann about the history and work of the GIVEN Institute.
Global Sisters Report
Given forum encourages Catholic women to embrace their God-given gifts | Gail DeGeorge
June 19, 2021
Among the keynote speakers, panelists, religious sisters and lay mentors at the Given Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum were presenters with whom many of the 130 attendees particularly identified: alumnae of previous Given forums.
Arlington Catholic Herald
‘Receive the gifts you are,’ forum keynoter tells young Catholic women | Maisy Sullivan
June 18, 2021
Sister Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life opened the first day of the GIVEN Institute’s annual Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum with a keynote titled “Casting the Vision,” a reflection of her work in GIVEN and a reference to the concept of the entire forum.
Winds of Change Podcast
More Discussions with Influential Women | Episode #5651
June 17, 2021
Mary and Lauretta interview Rachel Harkins Ullmann on the Winds of Change podcast.
Listen Now
Our Sunday Visitor
The gift of the Given leadership forum | Kathryn Jean Lopez
June 15, 2021
“Discover the gift that only you can give, because of the gift that you are.” If you spend any time around the GIVEN Institute, this is what you’ll hear. About 130 young women immersed themselves in the message at GIVEN’s Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum at the beginning of June at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Indiana Gazette
A different path for women | Kathryn Jean Lopez
June 14, 2021
“Men want sex.” Gloria Purvis is quite blunt speaking to a group of about 130 young women from around the United States, Canada and Mexico. This is the GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum, being held at the Catholic University of America. The theme of the forum, and the GIVEN Institute that runs it, is: “Discover the gift that only you can give, because of the gift that you are.”
The Dignity of Women
Sr. Mary Madeline Todd – The GIVEN Institute | Episode 30
June 7, 2021
Kimberly Cook interviews GIVEN Board member Sr. Mary Madeline Todd, OP about the work of GIVEN and a Theology of Woman.
Catholic Faith Network
CFN Live
May 13, 2021
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Catholic Faith Network live to talk about the mission of the GIVEN Institute.
National Catholic Register
Adoption and Foster Care, Biden and Birth Rates, and the Mission of Motherhood | Kathryn Elliott
May 11, 2021
National Catholic Register writes about the motherhood episode of EWTN News In Depth, featuring Rachel Ullmann.
EWTN
News In Depth
May 7, 2021
Rachel Ullmann joins host Montse Alvarado and fellow guests from the GIVEN Network to talk about motherhood.
Magnifica Grupos
Una conversación sobre The GIVEN Institute
February 9, 2021
(Spanish) GIVEN Mentor Cynthia Psencik speaks with Janeth Chavez from Magnifica about the GIVEN Institute, its mission and how to get involved.
Trending with Timmerie
Living Joyfully, Getting Lent Right, and Increasing Happiness
February 8, 2021
Super Bowl commercials revealed the hunger for meaning and purpose that many people have in the culture today. During today’s happy hour, Timmerie talks with Rachel Harkins Ullmann from The GIVEN Institute about an upcoming Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum.
Endow Podcast
Endow Podcast
January 5, 2021
Rachel Harkins Ullmann speaks with Simone Rizkallah about big dreams for 2021.
2021 GIVEN Forum Press Release
October 23, 2020
The 2021 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum will take place June 9-13, 2021 at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Sewing Hope Podcast
Sewing Hope Podcast | Episode 72
October 22, 2020
Rachel Harkins Ullmann speaks with Anne DeSantis and Bill Snyder on the Sewing Hope podcast.
Catholic Review
Given, Batimore Archdiocese host ‘Fatima’ prescreening despite incoming storm | Rus VanWestervelt
August 5, 2020
Catholic Review shares the highlights of GIVEN’s prescreening of FATIMA at Bengies Drive-In in Baltimore.
Our Sunday Visitor
Virtual Catholic conferences lead to outstanding participation | Michelle Martin
July 10, 2020
GIVEN’s Discover the Gift event is featured as a virtual Catholic conference with outstanding participation.
Catholic Women in Business
One Body: Community as a Pillar of Business | Molly Franzonello
June 23, 2020
GIVEN is featured as an organization building community and leadership among women in the Church.
Global Sisters Report
Virtual event encourages participants to discover, respond to God-given gifts | Global Sisters Report
June 17, 2020
Sydney Clark of Global Sisters Report writes about the talks and fruits of the Discover the Gift online event.
Global Sisters Report
GIVEN Institute hosts virtual event, postpones women’s leadership forum | Global Sisters Report
June 10, 2020
Sydney Clark of Global Sisters Report writes about the Discover the Gift online event.
Ave Maria Radio
Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo | Ave Maria Radio
June 9, 2020
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Teresa Tomeo on Catholic Connection to talk about GIVEN’s Discover the Gift event.
EWTN Daily Mass
Daily Mass | EWTN
June 9, 2020
Father Joseph Mary talks about Luanne Zurlo’s talk from the 2019 GIVEN Forum in his daily Mass homily.
The Genius Podcast
Receive the Gift That You Are | The Genius Podcast
June 8, 2020
Have you ever struggled to not only see but activate your unique gifts and passions? So many women are great at identifying the gifts and potential in other people but struggle to see their own unique giftedness. Join host, Karen Doyle and guest Rachel Harkins Ullmann, director of the GIVEN Institute USA as they explore the three themes of the GIVEN Institute and how women can activate their unique gifts in service of the Church, the world and those they encounter.
Catholic News Agency
Online forum aims to form Catholic women in faith | Catholic News Agency
June 8, 2020
“While not being able to gather together in Washington, this unfolds an opportunity for wider engagement of the entire GIVEN Network to activate the gifts of women across the globe,” said Rachel Harkins Ullmann, the executive director of the GIVEN Institute in a press release announcing the event.
Aleteia
Beloved annual leadership forum moves online, becomes available to women everywhere | Aleteia
June 9, 2020
Aleteia writes about Discover the Gift and its relationship to the GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum.
Rosary for Healing and Peace
Oblate Sisters of Providence
June 9, 2020
The GIVEN Institute invites people of faith across the country to join The Oblate Sisters of Providence in praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 3pm EST. The rosary will be aired LIVE on GIVEN’s YouTube Channel, led by two Oblate Sisters of Providence, Sister Anthonia and Sister Mary. Joining the Oblate Sisters of Providence in prayer are members of the Mother Mary Lange Guild that seek her beatification and eventual canonization including Rachel Harkins Ullmann, Executive Director of GIVEN, Melissa D’Adamo, Director of Advancement of St. Frances Academy, and Dr. Camille Brown, President of the Mother Lange Guild and Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The link to pray along is https://youtu.be/whdnc5X1EcA.
Unleash the Gospel
Instagram Live | @utgdetroit
June 1, 2020
GIVEN Executive Director Rachel Harkins Ullmann joined Unleash the Gospel for an interview on Instagram Live.
Spirit Catholic Radio
Spirit Catholic Radio
June 2, 2020
GIVEN Executive Director Rachel Harkins Ullmann joined Spirit Catholic Radio for an interview and to talk about Discover the Gift.
Verily Magazine
Former Beauty Pageant Contestant Shares Leadership Lessons | Verily
May 27, 2020
Verily Magazine interviews GIVEN Executive Director Rachel Harkins Ullmann about how her experience competing in pageants helped form her as a Catholic female leader.
Catholic Family Conference
May 2, 2020
Executive Director Rachel Harkins Ullmann spoke about GIVEN from the vendor hall during the Catholic Family Conference.
Parish Times
May 2020
The inter-parish newspaper of Montgomery County, MD featured information about Discover the Gift in the May 2020 issue.
Discover the Gift Press Release
April 24, 2020
The 2020 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum originally planned to take place Wednesday, June 10th through Sunday, June 14th at the Catholic University of America has been postponed due to the Coronavirus.
OSV Institute
COVID-19 Impact | OSV Institute
March 2020
The OSV Institute highlighted GIVEN’s Women’s History Month initiative to talk and pray with a Catholic female leader each night for the last week of March.
She Believed Podcast
The Secret Behind Every Strong Leader | She Believed
March 2, 2020
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Caroline Rose Owens to talk about becoming a strong female leader by receiving the gift that you are and responding with the gift only you can give.
EWTN: At Home With Jim and Joy
The GIVEN Institute | At Home With Jim and Joy
February 12, 2020
February 14, 2020
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins Jim and Joy Pinto to talk about The GIVEN Institute.
Relevant Radio: A Closer Look
The GIVEN Institute | A Closer Look
February 6, 2020
Rachel was interviewed on Relevant Radio by Sheila Liaugminas. Many of the alumnae’s outstanding Action Plans are discussed. You can listen to the interview here.
CatholicTV: This is the Day
The GIVEN Institute | This is the Day
January 3, 2020
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins us on This is the Day to talk about The GIVEN Institute for women.
Our Sunday Visitor
Hopeful apostolates
November 8, 2019
Archbishop Fulton Sheen is known for saying that “the history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women.” With that in mind, the GIVEN Institute is inspiring the next generation of Catholic female leaders by providing leadership training, formation and mentoring.
2020 GIVEN Forum Announcement Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2020 GIVEN CATHOLIC YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM
October 30, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2020 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum will take place Wednesday, June 10th through Sunday, June 14th at the Catholic University of America. The annual GIVEN Forum is designed to help young adult Catholic women with a heart for mission and an aptitude for leadership identify their particular gifts and find practical pathways to put them in the service of the Gospel.
CatholicTV: This is the Day
Bishop Robert Reed, Jay Fadden and Kevin Nelson from the CatholicTV living room
August 27, 2019
Rachel Harkins Ullmann joins us on This is the Day to talk about The GIVEN Institute, a leadership program for young Catholic women.
Catholic News Service
Women Leadership in the Church
August 22, 2019
The GIVEN Institute director discusses how her organization is helping women become leaders in the Catholic Church.
The GIVEN Institute’s Executive Director Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THE GIVEN INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
June 28, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, June 12th, during the opening remarks of the annual GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum, the Board of Directors announced the Institute’s new Executive Director: Rachel Harkins Ullmann. Mrs. Ullmann recently worked in the Archdiocese of Baltimore as a Regional Development Director serving parishes and schools in their advancement efforts.
Noticias Católicas
El foro nacional de GIVEN capacita a la próxima generación de mujeres líderes católicas
Junio 25, 2019
WASHINGTON — “Recibe el regalo que eres. Date cuenta de los regalos que te han dado. Responde con el regalo que solo tú puedes dar.” Este fue el marco que guió las charlas, paneles, talleres y reflexiones durante el Foro GIVEN 2019 en Washington, DC, del 12 al 16 de junio en la Universidad Católica de América.
Detroit Catholic
National GIVEN Forum trains the next generation of Catholic women leaders
June 24, 2019
WASHINGTON — “Receive the gift you are. Realize the gifts you have been given. Respond with the gift only you can give.” This was the framework guiding the talks, panels, workshops and reflections during the 2019 GIVEN Forum in Washington, D.C. from June 12 to June 16 at The Catholic University of America.
Catholic New York
New Yorkers Attend Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum
June 19, 2019
The 2019 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum, held June 12-16 at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., was designed to guide young adult Catholic women “with a heart for mission and an aptitude for leadership.”
Crux | Taking the Pulse
Everyone’s temperament God-given but allows room for growth, says couple
June 19, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Drawing from their own lives and personalities, Art and Laraine Bennett spoke at a GIVEN forum June 13 about the four ancient personality types, revealing each of their strengths and weaknesses, and how to unlock each individual’s potential to best serve God.
Global Sisters Report
Sister mentors provide faith formation for 120 women at leadership event
June 18, 2019
Religious sisters and a diverse group of laywomen gathered to bond in faith and forge new paths in church leadership during the 2019 Given Institute’s Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. The forum brought together 120 participants from 30 states with members of 13 religious orders on the scenic grounds of the Catholic University of America for a five-day formation journey that emphasized both prayer and professionalism.
Catholic News Agency
Forum forms women in leadership, dignity, faith
June 17, 2019
The 2019 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum, which met last week, convened more than 100 professional Catholic women in Washington, DC, to discuss faith, vocation, dignity, and leadership. The June 12-16 forum was conducted by the newly-launched GIVEN Institute, and aimed to equip young Catholic women with the tools, mentorship, and advice needed to become leaders in the modern world while remaining true to their faith.
National Review
Women of the Renewal
June 17, 2019
Integrity. Encouragement. Confidence. Accountability. These are some of the words I’ve been hearing from Millennials who have had anything to do with a still-relatively new effort called GIVEN. It’s a leadership network for Catholic women, and its mission is the goal of helping them “discover the gift that only you can give because of the gift that you are.”
The Catholic Register
Young women urged to reject ego, focus on life of integrity, honesty
June 17, 2019
WASHINGTON – Spiritual advice was mixed with practical suggestions at the GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum held at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
Aleteia
120 Women are gathering in Washington, DC, this week to change the world
June 12, 2019
The GIVEN Forum is investing in the next generation of Catholic women leaders. This week, from June 12-16, the GIVEN Forum is taking place in Washington, DC, where 120 young adult women with a desire to use their talents in service of the Gospel will be inspired to live their mission and be leaders.
2019 GIVEN Forum Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2019 GIVEN CATHOLIC YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM
June 5, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2019 GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum will take place Wednesday, June 12th through Sunday, June 16th at the Catholic University of America. The GIVEN Forum is designed to help young adult Catholic women with a heart for mission and an aptitude for leadership identify their particular gifts and find practical pathways to put them in the service of the Gospel.
The Catholic Feminist
The Importance of Women in Leadership, featuring Elise Italiano
November 28, 2018
Women don’t need a collar to lead. That’s just ONE of the wisdom nuggets today’s guest drops. Elise Italiano is the director of The GIVEN Institute, a non-profit aimed at activating the gifts of young adult women for the Catholic Church and the world. A former theology and bioethics teacher, Elise is on the show to chat about the necessity of women as leaders in the Church.
McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame
Church Life Today – Elise Italiano
November 24, 2018
We need more leaders in the church. In fact we need the best leadership for The Church, but where will these leaders be found? And how will we prepare them for giving a credible witness to the Gospel? These questions are not foreign to Elise Italiano, who serves as Executive Director of The GIVEN Institute. Host, Leonard DeLorenzo talks with her about leadership in the Church and the mission of her institute, which is dedicated to activating the gifts of young women for the Church and for the world.
Jesuitical
Catholic women are leaving the church. This group wants them to lead it.
November 16, 2018
A groundbreaking survey of Catholic women published by America earlier this year found that 26 percent rarely or never attend Mass; 27 percent only attend a few times a year; and 67 percent of Catholic women have never served in any parish ministry. The GIVEN Institute is trying to fix that. This week we chat with Elise Italiano, the group’s executive director, about what they’re doing to help Catholic women lead inside and outside the church.
Millennial
Young Adults, Identity, Community, and Purpose: An Interview with Elise Italiano
October 4, 2018
In the days leading up to the Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment, Millennial editor Robert Christian interviewed Elise Italiano, the founding Executive Director of The GIVEN Institute, on young adults and the Church.
Aleteia
A new institute dedicated to inspiring and supporting young Catholic women is taking off
September 14, 2018
The GIVEN Institute is a new nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young Catholic women to “receive the gift that they are; realize the gifts they’ve been given; and respond with the gift that only they can give.” It is a blossoming of a seed planted in 2016 at the GIVEN Catholic Young Women Leadership Forum, organized by the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious.
Relevant Radio: A Closer Look with Sheila Liaugminas
Empowering the Next Generation of Catholic Women
September 13, 2018
Elise Italiano, Executive Director of The GIVEN Institute, on creating the next generation of Catholic women leaders. Elise shares about how The GIVEN Institute forms young women in their faith, and the move toward mentoring. What young women need to know: They are noticed, they are necessary, they are loved.
Catholic News Agency
New Catholic group aims to form next generation of women leaders
September 12, 2018
WASHINGTON D.C. — The GIVEN Institute hopes to shape a new generation of Catholic leaders through a program of faith formation, mentoring, and leadership for young women.
Catholic News Service
Women’s Catholic Leadership Program Officially Launches
September 12, 2018
WASHINGTON (CNS) — A Catholic women’s leadership organization, the GIVEN Institute, which aims to encourage and train young women in leadership roles in the church and society, officially launched Sept. 12. “There are plenty of leadership programs in the private sector; there is no reason…”
Crux | Taking the Pulse
New Institute Hopes to Build Women Leaders for the Church
September 12, 2018
NEW YORK – Ahead of next month’s much-discussed Vatican summit on young people, a new organization targeted at forming the next generation of women leaders within the Church and the wider culture was launched on Wednesday.
National Review
September 12, 2018
Women on Divine Mission | A new institute is dedicated to mentoring young Catholic women for the future of the Church and the world.
Do young people know the gifts they have been given? The newly launched GIVEN Institute is dedicated to helping young women be good stewards of their talents, through mentorship and interaction with consecrated women in the Catholic Church. With so much scandal in the news, what will the next generation of leaders look like? GIVEN exists to help with formation and flourishing, building a network of women who seek to be part of the solution, following God’s call to each one of them. I spoke with Elise Italiano, the executive director of the institute, about what it hopes to accomplish
National Catholic Register
August 29, 2017
GIVEN Forum Affirms Young Women in Christ’s Love
Gathering for Catholic women continues to bear fruit.
More than a year has passed since the “GIVEN Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum,” and the fruits continue to show in the lives of Catholic women inspired by its 21st-century approach to emboldening disciples, centered in a radical encounter with Jesus Christ’s love.
Crux | Taking the Pulse
Catholic young women launch self-led initiatives across U.S. after forum
May 22, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Attending a Catholic young women’s leadership forum taught Michelle Nunez, 23, that “our vocation as women is to be receptive to God’s gifts.” What Nunez learned about the “feminine genius,” a term used by St. John Paul II to describe the gifts of women, helps her, a year later, in her volunteer work with immigrants at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas.
Nunez and 300 young women representing dioceses from all 50 states are using their specific gifts to carry out their “action plans” following the June 2016 Given Forum at The Catholic University of America. An initiative of the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious, the forum brought young Catholic women together for a weeklong immersion in “faith formation, leadership training and networking.”
National Catholic Reporter/Global Sisters Report
June 15, 2016
GIVEN forum creates space for young Catholic women to embrace ‘feminine genius’
On the first night of GIVEN, Matt Maher’s “Hold Us Together” played softly over the speakers as women ambled into the great room at The Catholic University of America’s Pryzbyla Center. A few days later, two GIVEN attendees would have an impromptu dance party in this same room, twirling to this same song.
But on the first night, there was no dancing, only laughter and hugs as old friends reconnected and new friends met for the first time.
The Catholic Spirit
June 11, 2016
Conference encourages young women to be leaders, share gifts with church
The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious hosted the Given Catholic Young Women’s Leadership Forum June 7-12 at The Catholic University of America. Organizers said it was spurred by the Church’s special focus on consecrated life, which ended this past February.
Catholic News Agency
June 11, 2016
Religious sisters dare young women to share their God-given gifts
Young women and religious sisters from around the country are gathering in Washington, D.C. to discover and share their unique talents, training them to use those gifts for the good of the Church and of the world.
