“Our first honoree has made more than a career out of her work and vocation. She has made a difference.”
That’s how Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen was introduced when she was honored by the Portland Business Journal as one of their 2018 Women of Influence. She was among 25 honorees at an awards luncheon at the Hilton Portland Downtown on April 5.
Editor Suzanne Stevens of the Portland Business Journal told the Catholic Sentinel that the panel reviewed approximately 400 nominations. According to event organizers, Sister Adele Marie is the first recipient in the 15-year history of the awards to have embraced a religious vocation.
As the first president of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Ministries Corporation – which includes Maryville, Valley Catholic School and the SSMO Foundation – Sr. Adele Marie was responsible for all of the firsts that come with the creation of a new organization.
As her nomination noted: “She is responsible for strategic planning and oversight, information technology, human resources, finance, facilities, development and fundraising, and communications and marketing for a skilled health care facility providing long- and short-term skilled care and memory care for more than 180 people each day and a school system serving nearly 1,000 students annually from infancy through high school. The SSMO Ministries Corporation is also responsible for the maintenance of onsite housing for more than 60 constituents – with additional responsibilities for two satellite locations on the Oregon Coast. The corporation includes nearly 500 staff members – including school faculty and certified health care professionals.”
Left to right: Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen, Portland Business Journal Director of Events Lexy Garbarino, SSMO Foundation Executive Director Tricia Blood, and Maryville Administrator Kathleen Parry. Lexy Garbarino attended kindergarten through eighth grade at Valley Catholic.
Sr. Adele Marie’s mother, Janice Altenhofen, joined representatives of the SSMO Ministries Corporation as Sr. Adele Marie was honored as one of the Portland Business Journal’s 2018 Women of Influence at a ceremony at the Hilton Portland Downtown on April 5.
Today, Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen serves on the Board of Directors of the SSMO Ministries Corporation and as a liaison to all of the Affiliate Boards on the campus (Maryville, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation, and Valley Catholic School). She is a member of all of the committees which report to the SSMO Ministries Corporation Board (Compensation and Benefits, Finance, Investment, Mission Effectiveness, and Executive Committee).
Her service extends beyond the SSMO campus. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Vision Action Network (VAN) of Washington County, where she is currently vice chair-elect. Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Abbey Foundation of Oregon, supporting Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle was among those who supported the nomination. He wrote: “Sister Adele Marie is a wonderful ambassador for the Sisters and their campus. Under her dynamic leadership as president of the SSMO Ministries Corporation, exciting projects at Valley Catholic School, Maryville and across the Sisters’ campus have contributed – not only to their own growth – but to the vibrancy of the City of Beaverton. She is a visionary champion for our city and our region.”
Photos, video and news coverage
- We invite you to enjoy more photos of Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen at the 2018 Women of Influence awards.
- Video highlights of the award presentation are available on our campus YouTube channel.
- St. Mary of Oregon sister named a ‘Woman of Influence’ – Catholic Sentinel
- Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen – Women of Influence profile – Portland Business Journal
