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About JFAN Detroit

Past Events

CONTACT

John Grant, Chair
Grant@emteegee.org

Tom Szczepanski, Chair
Tom.Sz.Det@gmail.com

Frank Brady, Chair WUJA Congress
fjbradyjr@gmail.com

Fr. Gary Wright, SJ, Jesuit Liaison
wrightgr@udmercy.edu

Receive Updates on Future Events

Upcoming Events

Transforming Business:
Ignatian Values
at the Heart & Soul of Success

Featured Speaker:
Fr. Nicholas Santos, SJ

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

University of Detroit Mercy
Student Union Ballroom
4001 West McNichols Road
Detroit, Michigan

Discover how Ignatian values can transform leadership and redefine success in both business and life. In this engaging presentation, Fr. Nicholas Santos, SJ, (Marquette University MBA ‘06, PhD ‘09) Associate Professor of Marketing at the Heider College of Business at Creighton University, will share insights from his global experience and explore the Jesuit paradigm for business education. Through themes of purpose-driven leadership, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable growth, attendees will be invited to lead with heart and soul—creating success that uplifts both their organizations and communities.

Program Details
11:30 a.m. – Doors open (check-in and registration)
12:00 p.m. – Lunch begins
12:15 p.m. – Program begins

Speaker Bio
Father Nicholas Santos, SJ, Ph.D,. is an associate professor of marketing in the Heider College of Business at Creighton University. He joined the Jesuits in 1990 and was ordained in 2000. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in commerce with a specialization in financial accounting from the University of Pune, bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and theology from Jnana Deepa in Pune, a master’s in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University, California, and an MBA (‘06) and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Marquette University (‘09). Click here for Fr. Santos’ bio from the Marquette Board of Trustees.

Registration closes October 29, 2025.

Past Events

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Fr. Jake Martin, SJ joined Jesuit friends and alumni in Detroit for an evening of comedy fused with Ignatian spirituality. Fr.Mark Luedtke, SJ, was the co-host of the event held at Detroit Shipping Company.

"What is a Jesuit Brother Anyway?"

On March 26, 2025, Br. James J. Boynton, SJ, president of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, spoke about the role of Jesuit brothers in the Church today. Since the founding of the Society of Jesus, brothers have played a vital role, but their contributions are often less understood. Br. Boynton shared his insights on their vocation, mission, and impact, offering attendees a deeper appreciation for their work within the Jesuit community and beyond. Watch the event video below.

Advancing Care for our Common Home in Jesuit Universities

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Dr. Nancy C. Tuchman, PhD, Founding Dean of the School of Environmental Sustainability, Loyola University Chicago, gave a JFAN talk discussing how Pope Francis and the Society of Jesus are calling us to action to protect our shared planet and how Jesuit universities across the country are leading the way. This talk explored Loyola University Chicago’s sustainability successes as a case study and shared what each of us can do to advance the cause. View Gesu Church and School’s environmental accomplishments here. Watch the event video below.

Finding God in All Things (...sometimes through the eyes of others)

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Tom Szczepanski, executive officer of Angel’s Place, gave a JFAN talk about how sometimes it takes the eyes of others to open your own. Watch the event video below.

On Thursday, March 7, 2024, Fr. Patrick Kelly, SJ, PhD, current associate professor of Religious Studies at the University of Detroit Mercy, gave a JFAN talk entitled “Sport, Human Flourishing and the Common Good: Opportunities and Challenges Today.” Watch the full video below