Talks. Workshops. Retreats.

Dr. Catherine Wright leads talks, workshops, retreats, and strategic summits that weave compelling stories with research and data, revealing practical paths toward purpose, hope, and resilience. These experiences invite individuals and communities to deepen their spiritual life, strengthen their work, and collaborate across difference to find clarity—and often joy—amid uncertain times.

Interested in a talk or workshop? Contact Dr. Wright to start the conversation.

Public speaking is a core expression of Dr. Wright’s vocation as an interdisciplinary ecotheologian: expanding knowledge beyond academic walls and into communities seeking justice, wholeness, and thriving futures. Her talks weave data, theology, ethics, and both visual and auditory storytelling to create a knowledge democracy—inviting audiences of all backgrounds to engage urgent issues with courage, imagination, and grounded, actionable insight.

International & National Conferences:

  • 14th International Conference on Food Studies, Portugal (2025). From Dirt to Dessert: Exploring Food and Faith as Vehicles for Sustainable Development

  • Creighton University Conference Entitled Laudato Si’ and the US Catholic Church (Designer and Co-Presenter) (2021). Creation Care Teams.

  • Golf South Conference (2021). Implementation of High-Quality Service-Learning Courses to Improve Health & Wellness in the Rural South, USA.

  • AASHE National Conference & Expo (2019). How a Small Rural University in NC is Helping Co-Create a Sustainable Economy.

  • American Academy of Religion (2018). Doing Religion and Ecology in the Bible Belt.

  • IASLCE Conference (2017). Harnessing the Synergistic Effect of SLCE and Sustainability

  • Catholic Theological Society of America (2015). The Promise of a New Cosmological Horizon

Keynotes and Public Talks (Selected):

  • Keynote Address: Avera Healthcare Mission Team Retreat (March 26-27, 2026) Pierre, South Dakota. Talk Notes. Slides

  • Keynote Address for Sisters of Mercy, Belmont annual Lecture (2025). Celebrating and Reflecting on Two Encyclicals on their 30th and 10th anniversary: Evangelium Vitae & Laudato Si'. Slides.

  • Keynote Address at St. Francis Retreat Center (2025) – A Decade of Laudato Si': Prophecy, Crisis, and the Call to Creation Care. Information.

  • Keynote Address at Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Conference (2025). Walking with the Spirit in the World. Booklet & Report.

  • Lecture at Bridging Faith and Science (2025). Spiritual Insights and Climate Change Conversations. Information.

  • Oratory Earth Day Lecture (2024). Befriending Earth as a Spiritual Path to God

  • TEDx Talk, Wingate University (2023). The Extraordinary Power of Your Ordinary Fork. Slides

  • C3 Christians Caring for Creation Conference (2023). Food and Faith: Embracing Our Vocation as Stewards of God’s Creation

  • Public Lectures at St Francis Seraph and Bellarmine Chapel, Cincinnati OH (2023). Following Faithfully in Francis’ Footsteps. Slides

  • Catholic Climate Covenant Webinar (2021). Environmental Justice and Catholic Social Teaching

  • Season of Creation Lecture (2020). Environmental Racism and Laudato Si’

ROOTS Summits—Recognizing Our Opportunity to Share/Serve/Support—create spaces for communities to listen deeply, name their collective strengths, and discern where they are called to serve. Through guided reflection and collaborative planning, participants identify meaningful opportunities and build a shared, hopeful path forward. Dr. Wright designs and facilitates the full experience and prepares an impact report that synthesizes participant input gathered throughout the Summit, offering clear guidance for next steps and strategic planning. Dr. Wright also partners with organizations in more informal strategic planning experiences, using surveys, guided conversations, and collaborative reflection to surface insights, clarify goals, and support practical next steps—offering flexible, accessible approaches that complement more structured summits.

ROOTS SUMMIT REPORT, 2019

ROOTS SUMMIT REPORT, 2020

ROOTS SUMMIT REPORT, 2021

Retreats, Workshops, and Engagement Events designed and facilitated by Dr. Wright, deepen spiritual reflection, foster community connection, and inspire meaningful action. Whether through immersive retreats that integrate prayer, story, and place-based exploration, or through interactive workshops that bring deepen knowledge bases by engaging with diverse voices, these experiences support individuals and groups in discerning purpose, strengthening communal bonds, and developing practical pathways for living more faithfully in the world.

Deep Roots: A Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation (2025) One Day Retreat + EcoSabbath Series (Four Weeks)

Wingate University One Day One Dog Day of Service (2024): 1300 Volunteers, 50 Projects, 14 Community partners, +$380K raised

Online Retreat (2024): Befriending Earth as a Spiritual Path to God. Rockhill Oratory Center for Spirituality, NC

NetVUE Regional Gathering: Food & Faith (2023)

Food and Faith Panel (2022): Faculty, staff, and community members conversing about food and faith locally and globally.

Retreat (2 evenings) for First Baptist Church, Wadesboro, NC (2022). In the Darkness Grows the Green: Lessons of the Solstice.

Retreat (online) for Sisters of Mercy (2021). Spirituality and Creation Care.

American Academy of Religion (AAR) Interactive Panel Discussion: Food Justice as the Context for Teaching Religion and Ecology (2018)

Pedagogy Workshop (2017): Designing Rubrics with Student Input

  • “The universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects”

    Thomas Berry

  • "We are so much better when we work together with a cross section of the community coming together ... better ideas, new ideas, and richer conversations."

    Roots Summit Participant (2019)

  • "We are all broken, but in different ways. Teach compassion. It is not our job to decide if people are worthy of our work..."

    Roots Summit Survey Respondent