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

Assistant Director for Operations and Family Policy

Maggee graduated from the University of St. Thomas with degrees in Catholic Studies and in English in 2019. Her involvement in St. Paul’s Outreach during college propelled her zeal to live a life of discipleship and mission. In 2020, she transitioned from the youth ministry world to politics when she joined the team at the Minnesota Catholic Conference. To deepen her understanding of the Church, Maggee earned her Master's in Theology at the St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

When she is not in the office or studying, you can usually find Maggee spending time with her husband and daughter, baking bread, or tending to her vegetable garden. Maggee and her family reside in her hometown of New Prague. 

Email: [email protected]

John Stokman

Communications and Outreach Manager

Primary Media Contact

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. She transitioned to a part-time communications associate role to have more time with her daughter. They are the proud aunt and uncle of 11 nieces and 1 nephew.

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]

Megan Schmidt

Business Manager

Megan is a Marquette University graduate, holding a degree in business and economics. She began her professional journey in the banking industry, where she held various roles before deciding to become a stay-at-home mom to her six children. Megan later earned her real estate and closing licenses, allowing her to work with residential and commercial clients throughout the state. 

Passionate about her faith and love of her community, Megan has spent the past seven years working in the nonprofit sector, helping organizations achieve missions that resonate with her values. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, exploring the outdoors, crafting, and baking.

Email: [email protected]

Katie Dickey

Information and Database Assistant

Katie graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2022 with undergraduate degrees in English and Catholic Studies. After graduation, she served in the Executive Assistant position at MCC before transitioning into a part time role as the Information and Database Assistant. Katie lives in Elk River with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys walks and listening to podcasts in her free time.

Email: [email protected]

Deacon Kevin Conneely

Chaplain

"I am excited to serve as the first Chaplain at the Minnesota Catholic Conference. The role will initially entail praying with and for legislators and all those who serve at the Capitol, accompanying them as individuals on their faith journey, and planning events and visits from Catholics across the state to experience the important and difficult work being done in Saint Paul. I feel blessed and hopeful by this opportunity to serve God's Church in this way. Please keep me and all those serving at the state's Capitol in your prayers." 

Deacon Conneely was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2023. He and his wife have two adult daughters and reside in Minneapolis. They are parishioners of Annunciation Catholic Church where he also serves as deacon. With a background as an attorney he also currently serves as Director of the Diaconate for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Learn more about the role of the Chaplain here.

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