President Amy C. Novak, EdD, announced today that Sister Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, PhD, will give the keynote address at the 2026 Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16. Wakahiu will also be recognized with an honorary degree for distinguished leadership, impacting philanthropic and nonprofit initiatives.
Wakahiu is a member of the Little Sisters of Saint Francis in Kenya. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Program Operations and Head of the Catholic Sisters Initiative for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which supports the invaluable work of Catholic sisters in assisting people in need, fostering hope and human dignity, and promoting peace, equity, and justice around the world.
In these roles, she oversees the Hilton Foundation’s program department operations, budgets, contracts, and policy implementation. Additionally, she leads the Initiative’s strategic planning and global grantmaking portfolio, which supports sisters' ongoing formation, education, elder care and aging, and human development ministries. Wakahiu also served as interim vice president of strategy and programs for the Foundation, overseeing the grantmaking program. She currently sits on various boards in the US and globally, including the Foundation and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA), Tangaza University, and the Anna Trust Foundation.
Spring Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark beginning at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit the 2026 Spring Commencement webpage.
