Laudato Si’ Movement welcomes new executive director

Lorna Gold and Susana Réfega

The board of directors of Laudato Si’ Movement is saddened to announce the resignation of Susana Réfega from her role as executive director, a personal decision made due to a need to dedicate more time to her family.

The board has been very confident in Susana’s leadership, which has launched major global campaigns, sparked new regional initiatives, and nurtured our movement as a mature organization in its 10th anniversary year.

While the board is deeply saddened by Susana’s departure, it understands and respects her need to devote time to family. Yeb Saño, LSM board chair, said, “Susana’s leadership has been such a gift to our movement. We pray that all good things come to her and her family, and we trust that as a Laudato Si’ Animator and friend, we will continue working together in the years to come.”

In a message to the movement, Susana said, “Leading Laudato Si’ Movement and being part of this amazing community has been an unique, deeply inspiring, and humbling experience, and I am profoundly grateful for the trust of the board, the secretariat, grantors, and partners. Above all I would like to thank Laudato Si’ Animators, who are the heart and hands of the movement. I have no doubt LSM will continue to grow and to make a difference in caring for our common home.”

The board offers a prayer of thanks that the Spirit continues to lead our movement and that God has been generous with us to find a way forward.

Dr. Lorna Gold has been appointed by the board of directors as Laudato Si’ Movement’s incoming executive director.

The board is confident in Lorna’s leadership based on her long history as one of the founding members of LSM, her outstanding service as board chair, her involvement with all relevant LSM organizational processes, her excellent relationship with the secretariat, and her excellent relationships with external partners including Catholic networks, climate networks, and high-level leaders.

In addition to her 20 years of leadership in the global Catholic social justice and ecology movement, including widely read scholarship on climate and faith, Lorna has deep experience in managing high-profile Catholic organizations. She is recognised for her leadership in the global climate movement and is well known for her role in leading campaigns for a just transition.

Beyond that, the board is grateful that Lorna has served tirelessly as an LSM volunteer at many levels for the past 10 years, working on everything from chairing the board of directors and training Laudato Si’ Animators to securing divestment commitments and appearing in The Letter film. In accordance with LSM’s bylaws, Lorna is now stepping down from the board. She will assume responsibility as executive director in late February, with Susana leading a period of transition over the coming month.

We warmly welcome the opportunity to continue growing and thriving with Lorna in this new role.

Lorna shares that “Being part of this movement has been a great source of joy in my life for nearly 10 years. I have seen the movement grow from a tiny seed to a mature tree now with many branches and established projects. Walking alongside our members and partners as we seek climate and ecological justice continues to nourish my passion for a better world and bring me hope for creation. I’d like to extend a hand of friendship to friends old and new, and to ask for your prayers as we enter this next phase of our movement together.”

Lorna continued, “Our work for climate justice is facing significant headwinds right now. I look forward to working with the whole movement and wider Church actors to ensure that the urgent message of Laudato Si’, which calls for an end to fossil fuels, is heard loud and clear at COP30 in Brazil this November.”

During the transformative year of 2025, when the global Church celebrates the Jubilee of Hope and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Laudato Si’ Movement will support initiatives including the Season of Creation, Laudato Si’ Week, Raising Hope, encounters, and advocacy campaigns.

The board offers its sincere thanks for Susana’s leadership, its gratitude for Lorna’s willingness to continue walking the road with us, and its trust that “for those who love God, all things work together for good.”