Pax Christi UK appoints new Director

Theresa Alessandro

Pax Christi British Section have announced the appointment of Theresa Alessandro as their new Director. Theresa succeeds Pat Gaffney, who is retiring after successfully leading the organisation for nearly 30 years. Theresa will take up the post on 4 March 2019.

Theresa, a committed Catholic, was educated in Catholic schools and engaged with the Diocesan Youth Service. She studied at the University of Birmingham, University of Leicester, and De Montfort University. Theresa has been a member of the Blessed Sacrament parish in Leicester since she was a teenager, often initiating parish peace activities and events. She is supporting Bishop Patrick McKinney (Nottingham Diocese) on modern slavery/trafficking and interfaith issues.

"I feel so deeply for those enduring violence and injustice, that the enormity of the change that is needed can feel overwhelming sometimes" Theresa said. "There are many effective ways to work for peace, and all are needed!"

In 2005 Theresa re-trained as a Speech and Language Therapist and has worked with the Northants Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust, University Hospital Coventry and the Leicester Partnership Trust.

"We are delighted that Theresa will be joining us soon," said Holly Ball, Chair of Pax Christi UK. "It is a time of transition for Pax Christi, but Theresa brings passion, skills and energy to us, and she has a solid background in peace and justice issues. We are confident that she will do a great job."