Our Staff

Jason Adkins, ESQ

Executive Director and General Counsel

Jason Adkins has served as the executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference since March 2011. Prior to his advocacy work for the Church, Jason was an attorney at the Institute for Justice, a public interest law firm. Jason has clerked for both state and federal appellate judges and received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he has served as an adjunct professor.

Jason is a regular presenter at parishes and at organizations around Minnesota and continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas. He writes a regular column that appears in diocesan newspapers, and his work has also appeared in numerous secular publications and journals. He frequently appears in the media and serves on many corporate boards and advisory councils.  He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), and resides in Saint Paul with his family.

Email: [email protected]

Maggee Hangge

Policy and Public Relations Associate

Maggee graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Catholic Studies and in English in 2019. Her involvement in St. Paul’s Outreach propelled her zeal to live a life of discipleship and mission. Throughout college and after graduating, she spent time working in the youth ministry world. Then, in August 2020, Maggee joined the MCC team. In order to deepen her understanding of the Church, Maggee is currently working towards a master’s degree in Theology at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

When she is not in the office or studying, you can usually find Maggee baking bread, tending to her vegetable garden, or going for a run. Maggee and her husband reside in her hometown of New Prague. 

Email: [email protected]

Chris Mulcahey

Communications and Outreach Manager

Chris is an alumnus of The Catholic University of America, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics with minors in History and Philosophy in 2017.

His professional journey has been characterized by a wealth of experience in government and communications. Chris served as a Press Secretary and Legislative Assistant for a member of Congress in Washington, DC. In 2020, he relocated to Minnesota, taking on the role of Legislative Assistant at the State Capitol. Before becoming a part of the team at MCC, Chris further honed his expertise as an Account Executive at a public affairs firm.

Chris resides in Plymouth, where he shares his life with his wife and their beloved dog.

Email: [email protected]

For media inquiries, please email Chris or call him at 651-256-7579.

Katherine Szepieniec

Communications Associate

Katherine returned home to Minnesota to join our staff in October 2017. Previously she lived in the Washington, D.C. area where she worked for EWTN News Nightly as a segment producer and St. Jerome's Catholic Church in Hyattsville, MD as the Communications Specialist. She has her master's degree in Emerging Media from Loyola University Maryland.

Before living on the East Coast she lived in Trujillo, Honduras as a missionary with Farm of the Child, a Catholic children's home. After earning her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead, she worked as the morning newscast producer for KAAL-TV in Austin, MN.

She and her husband reside in Hastings with their toddler daughter. They are the proud aunt and uncle of 11 nieces and 1 nephew.

Email: [email protected]

Mary Jane Streiff

Business Manager

Originally from Southern California, Mary Jane has worked for several Catholic organizations, including Catholic Answers and Thomas Aquinas College (California). She holds a Business degree from the University of California, Riverside, and a Liberal Arts degree from Thomas Aquinas College. Mary Jane completed a graduate degree in Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas, and resides with her husband in Afton.

Email: [email protected]

Sarah Damm

Executive Assistant

Sarah graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a B.A. in Communication. After several years working in Catholic educational and non-profit settings, she shifted her focus and served as a stay-at-home mom to her six children for more than 20 years. In September 2023, Sarah returned to the workforce by joining the staff of the Minnesota Catholic Conference. Sarah also writes for various online platforms.

She and her husband reside in West St. Paul with their family.

Email: [email protected]

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