Christian Brothers Conference (CBC) continues to adapt to best serve the needs of the Lasallian mission today and into the future. To support these evolving efforts, the Regional office has made a few important staffing changes.
Sarah Laitinen, who joined CBC in 2016 as director of Lasallian programs, has been promoted to director of education and formation, effective January 2, 2023. This position change recognizes her role in leading the Region’s efforts in these areas.
Phil De Rita has been hired as Lasallian programs manager, where he will support the planning, execution, and evaluation of education and formation programs for the Region. Phil served for 13 years as the director of communications and public relations in the District of Eastern North America (DENA), and he started his role with the Conference on January 18, 2023.
Brother Michael Phipps, who is in formation as a novice, is serving as spirituality project manager effective January 1, 2023. Brother Michael will focus on spiritual formation and more related to the understanding and promulgation of Lasallian spirituality. In addition to this role, Brother Michael will continue as a member of the De La Salle Community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a counselor at Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, from the District of San Francisco New Orleans, joined the Conference as Lasallian resources coordinator, effective January 1, 2023. In this new role, which is part of the communications department, Brother George will oversee the Lasallian Resource Center (LRC) and other initiatives related to resources. Brother George created the LRC in 2015 as a project of SFNO. It has operated as a partnership between SFNO and CBC and is transitioning to a CBC project with the start of 2023. More information on this transition and the redesigned website will be released in the months ahead. In addition to his new role, Brother George will continue to serve as secretary coordinator of Lasallian Research and Resources for the Institute. He will be based in San Francisco and Rome.
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- Sarah Laitinen, Director of Education and Formation
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- Philip De Rita, Lasallian Programs Manager
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- Brother Michael Phipps, Spirituality Project Manager
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- Brother George Van Grieken, FSC, Lasallian Resource Coordinator