OUR LEADERS
Meet our Leaders!
Our New Executive Director, Bob Sadler
I am excited to have been entrusted with the role of Executive Director at Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit, humbly following in the footsteps of Sister Felicity and Sister Shelley. Please know that Sister Shelley is staying to focus on some of our program elements that mean so much to her, namely our tutoring program and the community garden.
I am a 30+-year nonprofit professional with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from the University of Detroit and an MBA in Marketing from Wayne State. I'm also heavily committed to parish and volunteer life within the Church. I have been a member of Divine Child parish in Dearborn since 1989, where I have been a lector, eucharistic minister and parish council member. I joined the Knights of Columbus in the mid-1990s, where I have performed a variety of service projects and currently serve as recording secretary for my council. I have been a volunteer fundraiser over the years in support of Catholic education.
Whether as a full-time professional or consultant here in Metro Detroit, I have lifted profiles, established solid brands and raised both contributed and earned revenue for nonprofit organizations with varying missions. Past employers and clients have included MotorCities National Heritage Area, the Detroit Historical Society, Epilepsy Center of Michigan, Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition and the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit.
It's not every day a position becomes available that is more than just a job. I consider the Executive Director role at Deo Gratias to be more of a calling and strive to be a joyful servant leader now that I am here.
I ask for your prayers and support as I join this amazing board, staff and volunteers to advance this organization that truly does God's work!
Sister Shelley Marie Jeffrey, CSSF
I grew up in Georgetown, Ontario Canada, third of eight siblings. I’ve been a Felician Sister since 1980. I had the opportunity to study at the University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a Master of Theological Studies degree. For 15 years, I was an elementary school teacher before I was elected to the provincial council of my community, where I served for eight years.
For many years, I was involved in developing our outreach ministry to disadvantaged people in inner city Toronto. I was on the Board on Directors, served as liaison between the Felician Sisters and the Executive Director, and was Mission Leader. While at St. Felix Centre, I learned the importance of honouring the dignity of all people, especially the poor and socially marginalized, and I began to understand the power of Christian hospitality as a basis for ministry. I saw first-hand how God brings people of good will together, combining their gifts in ways that are truly transformative. This led me to Detroit to begin an outreach ministry with some of my Sisters and other interested people.
I’m happy to be in Detroit and look forward to witnessing the miracles God will work through all the wonderful people who serve and are served by Deo Gratias Ministries Detroit.