Meet our team
LORI STANLEY
Executive Director
Lori Stanley is the first layperson to become Executive Director of Loyola Institute for Spirituality in 2018. With a background in public relations, over 30 years of service within the Catholic Church, and 20 years learning about and loving Ignatian spirituality, she brings her experience in pastoral ministry, organizational leadership, marketing, and development to the organization. Lori earned her MA in Pastoral Theology with a concentration in Spiritual Direction from Loyola Marymount University. She leans on the tenets of Ignatian spirituality to answer the call to accompany, educate, and empower others to discover God’s deep love for them on a personal level. Lori is one of seven children born to the late Deacon Joe and Dolores Stripling. She and her husband have been facilitators of Catholic Engaged Encounter for 20 years, have one adult daughter and enjoy listening to live jazz music, pickleball, golf, and socializing with family and friends.
​
LUPE A. VIZCARRA
Finance and Operations Director
Lupe Amézquita Vizcarra brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience to her work. As a founding member of Loyola Institute for Spirituality, she helped shape the organization’s early foundation before pursuing additional opportunities that continued her growth and advancement in the nonprofit sector. She returned to LIS bringing extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to advancing mission-driven work. Her career reflects a long-standing dedication to supporting the long-term sustainability and growth of the organizations she serves. She is a graduate of Rosary Academy and California State University, Fullerton, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Finance and holds professional certifications in nonprofit management and human resources. Outside of work, Lupe treasures time with her family and enjoys movies, afternoon tea, and road trips.
​
Maria Elena Cardeña-lopez
Program Manager
María Elena Cardeña-López (Elena) has over 25 years of ministry experience in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Elena served as a Consultant for Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Director of Campus Ministry at the University of La Verne, and Faith Formation Director at Our Lady of the Assumption in Claremont. She has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University, Northridge, an M.A. in Religious Studies from Mt. St. Mary's College (now University), and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. Elena has a long history of exploring spirituality and mysticism from many sources. Her heroes are Hildegard of Bingen, Rumi, the Sufi poet, and Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. She has the heart of an artist and spends time at home with her husband cooking, painting, and admiring the mountains.
​
ERANDY MATEJKA
Engagement & Outreach Coordinator
Erandy Matejka is a compassionate community builder that has spent more than a decade supporting families, schools, and parish communities through service driven leadership. She is known for her welcoming presence, her ability to connect with people from all backgrounds, and her gift for creating organized, meaningful experiences that bring communities together. Erandy brings both heart and professionalism to every role she serves, with deep roots in PTA/PTSA leadership and active involvement in parish spiritual life that reflect her dedication to hospitality, inclusion, and service. She enjoys traveling and sunset walks with her family.
​
KEIRA FERRELL
Executive Assistant to the Director
Keira Ferrell is excited to support LIS in its mission to share Jesuit spirituality. After graduating from Mater Dei High School, she attended Georgetown University where she received a B.S. in Foreign Service with a minor in psychology. She has a passion for Catholic social teaching and social justice more broadly and had the opportunity to intern for the Secretariat of Justice and Peace at the USCCB and work for Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. Jesuit educated, she has a deep connection to Ignatian spirituality and participated in and led Ignatian-inspired retreats throughout college.
​
RYAN I. PRATT
Administrative Assistant
A graduate of Loyola High School of Los Angeles, Ryan Pratt holds a B.A. in Religion with a Minor in History from the University of Southern California, as well as a M.A. in Theology from Loyola Marymount University. He joined LIS in 2013 as an administrative assistant, aiding the staff in various ways, including the maintenance of the LIS database. In parish life, Ryan enjoys serving as a lector, proclaiming the Word of God. His intellectual interests include ecclesiology, biblical studies, ecclesiastical history, the intersections of theology and popular culture, and the lives and legacies of both St. Thomas More and St. Ignatius de Loyola. In his spare time, he can often be found proudly cheering for his beloved USC Trojans.
​
REV. ALLAN F. DECK, S.J.
Consultant
Jesuit Father Allan Figueroa Deck is a program consultant and part-time spiritual director and instructor for LIS. He teaches Pastoral Theology and Latino Studies at Loyola Marymount University; and serves as Provincial Assistant for Spiritual Ministries for the Jesuits West Province. Father Deck is an author and internationally recognized speaker on pastoral theology, Hispanic ministry, culture, religion and spirituality.
Board of Directors
Mr. Mike Trujillo, Chair San Pedro, CA
Mr. James Abowd, Treasurer Fullerton, CA
Rev. Brendan Busse, S.J. Los Angeles, CA
Mrs. Cynthia Convey, Secretary Long Beach, CA
Rev. Allan F. Deck, S.J. Los Angeles, CA
Mr. Douglas Leal Santa Monica, CA
Mr. Gregory S. Perez Northridge, CA
Mr. Rick Celio, Emeritus Fullerton, CA
Mrs. Lori Stanley, de facto Garden Grove, CA