The Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio is elected by the members of the Congregation every four years. The current Leadership Team is made up of these four members who began their term on May 9, 2021.
2021-2025 Leadership Team
Sister Nancy Linenkugel, OSF
Congregational Minister
Sister Nancy recently returned from serving in ministry as Chair of the Department of Health Services Administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati. She previously served a four-year term as Congregational Secretary and Councilor for the congregation, as VP at St. John Medical Center in Steubenville, OH, as President and CEO of Providence Hospital in Sandusky, and President of Chatfield College in Cincinnati.
A talented musician, Sister Nancy played with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra, the Xavier University Chamber Orchestra, the Xavier University “Magis” string quartet and the National Medical Musical Group.
Sister Nancy was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 1999, elected to the National Board of Governors of the American College of Healthcare Executives and became a Life Fellow in 2011.
Sister Shannon Schrein, OSF
Assistant Congregational Minister
Sister Shannon returns to the Leadership team after serving as Councilor since 2016. Previously, Sister Shannon served at Lourdes University as a Theology Professor, Department Chair, Master’s Program Director and the Graduate School Dean. She is the former President of the College Theological Society’s 900 members. She is the author of two books, many published essays and is a frequent guest on radio and podcasts.
A gifted musician, Sister Shannon’s rich voice and guitar are always welcome additions to community and family gatherings, including the Toledo Mud Hens where she’s sung the National Anthem more than a dozen times.
Sister Rebecca Anne Rutkowski, OSF
Councilor and Congregational Treasurer
Sister Rebecca returns to the Sylvania Franciscan Motherhouse from her ministry in Biloxi, MS where she has served with four Bishops, at least a dozen hurricanes (including Katrina) and one worldwide pandemic.
Sister Rebecca arrived in Biloxi in 1993 and served as Executive Director for Social and Community Services, a role usually reserved for priests, before becoming the first woman religious in the diocese appointed Chancellor for the Diocese in 2002, a position that she maintained until being elected to the Leadership Team.
Sister Valerie Grondin, OSF
Councilor and Congregational Secretary
Sister Valerie Grondin served in the ministry of education for over 40 years. She enjoyed teaching students from elementary school to college age students, spent 26 years in the role of principal and, most recently, was an associate professor at Lourdes University.
She has served on the Faculty Senate and the Assessment Committee at Lourdes and on the Sisters of St. Francis Franciscan Ministries Board of Trustees.