Thursday, November 5, 2026
6:00 pm EST - 8:00 pm EST
Catholic Information Center
1501 K Street NW
Washington,
DC
20005
United States
Co-sponsored with:
Ward and Kathy Fitzgerald Franciscan University Homeland Mission
Civitas Dei
Catholic Founders
Description
Starting a business in Washington is hard. Doing it as a Catholic raises questions most networking events skip. How does faith shape who you hire, what you charge, and which clients you take? What does it cost to stay true to your convictions in a city that runs on influence?
The CIC is delighted to co-host “Faith & Founders: Learn How Catholic Founders Build in Washington” on Thursday, November 5 with Franciscan University Homeland Mission (FUHM), Civitas Dei, and Catholic Founders. Our program’s discussion begins at 6:00 PM, with a Mass offered at 5:15 PM for anyone who wishes to attend.
Elise Gallagher, founder of Catholic Women in Business, and tech entrepreneur Ryan P. O’Connell will candidly discuss how faith shapes the decisions they make building a businesses in D.C. The discussion will be moderated by Justo Oppus, Director of FUHM.
This program is offered both in-person and virtually through a YouTube livestream.
11/5/26 Schedule:
- 5:00 pm: Doors open for registrant check-in
- 5:15 pm: Mass
- 6:00 pm: “Faith & Founders: Learn How Catholic Founders Build in Washington” panel discussion (this portion of the evening will be offered both in-person and virtually through a livestream)
- 6:50 pm: Light reception and fellowship
- 8:00 pm: Evening concludes
About the Speakers
Justo Oppus is the Director of the Ward and Kathy Fitzgerald Franciscan University Homeland Mission (FUHM) — where faith, purpose, and public service come together in Washington, D.C.
Ryan P. O’Connell is an entrepreneur, full-stack software developer, and leader with a varied background in film, technology, and politics.
Elise Crawford Gallagher is the founder of Catholic Women in Business, a resource and online community of over 7,000 Catholic working women and the co-author of Holy Ambition: Thriving as a Catholic Woman at Work and at Home. Her mission is to encourage Catholic women to boldly step into their feminine genius to live the vocations God has called them to.
