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
A Dubuque, Iowa, area native, LaDonna Manternach entered the BVM congregation in 1984. She received a master’s degree in music education from Holy Names University, Oakland, Calif.; and a doctor of musical arts degree in vocal performance from the University of Hartford, Hartt School, West Hartford, Conn. Much of LaDonna’s ministry as a BVM has been devoted to music—initially as an elementary school music teacher in San Francisco, and Bellevue and Des Moines, Iowa. She served as music teacher, assistant professor of music, chair of the music department, and in campus/youth ministry at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. LaDonna has also ministered as BVM second vice president, senator, and on regional and assembly planning committees before beginning her current role as president.
Katherine “Kathy” Kandefer, BVM – Second 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.
Kate Hendel, BVM – Third Vice President
Kate has been Secretary of the Congregation since 2016, and was a vice president from 2012-2016. She was a faculty member, campus liturgist, music department chair, director of general education, and dean of adult and graduate studies at Clarke University. She holds two master’s degrees (music and theology) and a Ph.D. in music education from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She is a St. Louis native who has served on many committees within the congregation and outside the BVM community, including as a board member and past president of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.
Carol Marie (Joseph Louis) Baum, BVM – Fourth Vice President
Carol Marie is a Keokuk, Iowa, native who graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Des Moines. She majored in history with a minor in theology at Mundelein College in Chicago. She taught in Iowa, California, and Illinois, and ministered at Mercy Park Apartments in Des Moines. She served the congregation as an administrator and community representative.
Lou Anglin, BVM served as Vice President on the BVM Council from 2016 until her passing on May 29, 2022.
Lou Anglin, BVM (1960–2022)
Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Lou entered the BVM congregation in 1985. After earning her bachelor’s degree in political science at Clarke University in Dubuque, she received a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. In Iowa, Alabama and Missouri, Lou served as an elementary and secondary school teacher and as high school campus minister. She was initial membership coordinator for the congregation and served as BVM senator, community board member, and on many committees. She was elected first vice president in 2016.
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.