We’re grateful to welcome four new members to the Franciscan Federation Board. Each brings deep experience, creativity, and a strong commitment to the Franciscan charism. We’re honored they’ve said yes to serving the Federation — helping carry this mission into the years ahead!
Colleen Fulkerson, MA
Colleen Fulkerson, MA, of Felician Services, Inc., began serving as SVP Strategic Governance and Knowledge Management in 2024. She joined Felician Services, Inc., in 2013 as a Senior Ministry Advisor and VP of Knowledge Management. Prior to joining Felician Services, Colleen served in education leadership roles including K-12 assessment director for a Chicago Public Schools-partnered EMO and Curriculum Director for Civitas Schools. She began her career as an English teacher and Humanities Chair at Good Counsel High School, a Felician Sponsored Ministry, where she helped implement the Felician Core Values and co-sponsored student retreats.
Colleen holds a BA in Secondary Education – English from the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign and an MA in Language, Literacy, and Specialized Instruction from DePaul University. Reflective of her commitment to her Catholic identity, Colleen serves as a board member for the Franciscan Federation and as a Class B member of the Cristo Rey Institute.
Daniel P. Horan, PhD
Daniel P. Horan, PhD is Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. A columnist for the National Catholic Reporter, he is the author or editor of sixteen books, including Catholicity and Emerging Personhood: A Contemporary Theological Anthropology, A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege, and The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey Through Lent.
Prof. Horan’s most recent books are titled Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism and Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World. He is currently working on a book on Christology tentatively titled, Not Because of Sin: Reconsidering the Reason God Became Human.
His academic research, writing, and teaching focuses on medieval and contemporary spirituality, medieval and modern philosophy, theological anthropology, Christology, antiracism and LGBTQ issues, and theologies of creation. Prof. Horan regularly lectures around the United States and abroad; and serves on several university, academic, and publication editorial boards, including the Board of Directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is recipient of numerous awards for his writing and service and is co-host of The Francis Effect Podcast.
Sr. Deborah Lockwood, OSF
Sr. Deborah Lockwood, OSF, began her ministry in Sierra Madre, California, where she taught high school Biological Sciences for ten years. When her province transferred Alverno High School to another community, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and spent 25 years serving at St. James Parish, primarily within the African‑American community. There she worked across all levels of religious education and, together with parish catechists, developed a religious education program for African‑American children and youth. During this time, she also ministered in faith formation with the mothers and children of the Spanish‑speaking mission connected to the parish in rural Nevada.
In 2004, Sr. Deborah was elected to her congregation’s General Council in Rome, where she lived for 15 years. She also served as President of the International Franciscan Conference of the Third Order Regular (IFC‑TOR) for nine years. After returning to her province in 2020, she joined the Provincial Council and now lives in Redwood City, California, where she continues to respond to the call of Matthew 25 through presence and accompaniment with “the least of God’s little ones” — those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, without shelter, or in prison.
Jeffrey M. Papia, MBA, MTS
Jeffrey M. Papia, MBA, MTS, is a mission-driven executive with expertise in organizational strategy and nonprofit leadership. As Chief Strategy Officer at OLV Human Services, he leads enterprise strategy, growth initiatives, mergers and acquisitions planning, data analytics, and grant management. Previously serving in executive leadership roles at Hilbert College and D’Youville University, he has secured more than $5 million in competitive grant funding, developed strategic plans, and advanced mission integration, organizational culture, and institutional effectiveness.
Papia also serves as Assistant Director of the nationally recognized Padua Program for Mission Leaders in Franciscan organizations. Recently honored as one of Buffalo’s 40 Under 40, Papia chairs the boards of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and Franciscan Services Inc. He holds an MBA from St. Bonaventure University, a Master of Theological Studies from Boston College, and a Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross. Jeff and his wife Maria live in Buffalo, NY, with their twins, Joseph and Francis.