Jennifer Carr Allmon
Texas Catholic Conference

Jennifer will be presenting on end-of-life issues. Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Texas Catholic Conference. She has a Masters of Arts in Moral Theology-Bioethics and has completed the National Catholic Bioethics Center’s Bioethics Certification Program. At the Texas Catholic Conference, Jennifer tracks legislation related to the policy priorities of the Texas Catholic Bishops, develops and maintains legislative strategy and relationships with diocesan staff and other legislative partners. She also provides trainings to dioceses and TCC departments in preparation for the legislative session and supervises the coordination of the TCC General Assembly. Before joining the TCC, Jennifer was the Advocacy Director for Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. She has given presentations throughout the U.S. on social justice and advocacy.

Karen Clifton
Catholic Mobilizing Network

Karen will be presenting on the death penalty. Karen is the Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network. She holds a Masters in Divinity from University of St. Thomas. She began her work involving the death penalty in 1996 in Houston, Texas, when her work intersected with those of Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ who is portrayed in the book and film Dead Man Walking. In 2008, Karen spearheaded the formation of Catholic Mobilizing Network committed to teaching on the dignity of human life in the areas of capital punishment and restorative justice. She has worked in association with the Catholic Worker, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the San Jose Clinic, AIDS ministry. Karen is also the Washington, DC Coordinator for the Ignatian Spirituality Project, and has worked in spiritual direction since 1996.

Dr. Bob McCarty
Catholic Mobilizing Network

Bob will be presenting with Karen Clifton on the death penalty. Bob is the Chief Operating Officer of the Catholic Mobilizing Network. He has a BS in Sociology/Theology from St. Joseph’s University, an MA in Religious Education from LaSalle University and a D.Min. from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Indiana. Author and speaker, Bob has led workshops and training programs internationally on ministry skills and issues. He also serves as adjunct faculty at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Bob recently joined CMN, transitioning from his prior service as the Executive Director for the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, where he started in 1997. 

Karen Garnett
Catholic Pro-Life Committee

Karen will be presenting on the issue of abortion. Karen served as the founding Executive Director of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee from 1993 to 2015, building a solid, grassroots-based organization that brings the pro-life message to churches and schools and provides ministry training nationally and internationally. In addition to her 22-year leadership of the CPLC, Karen served as the Chair of the Life & Family Life Department of the Texas Catholic Conference, and as a member of the State Coordinating Committee of the Respect Life Directors of the Dioceses of the State of Texas. Karen has been a voice for life on multiple local and national platforms and media outlets. In 2016, Karen transitioned to serving as the CPLC's Public Affairs Liaison, speaking and representing the organization as an ambassador of the mission, and is now serving as a national consultant and advocate in pro-life ministry.