Leadership transitions were the major work of the 2026 Board meeting of AIM-USA in August, 2026, with a new Director in place and a new President of the Board elected. But monastic stability and commitment to one another remains central, too, for this organization which connects more than 450 monasteries of Benedictines and Cistercians around the world.

Since 1990, Benedictine Sisters of Erie have administrated AIM-USA, helping to meet the educational, financial, and spiritual needs of monastics in need, and raising awareness of the important roles they play in their local communities. For nearly a decade, Sister Ann Hoffman served as the Executive Director of AIM-USA, forming real friendships with brothers and sisters in places like Togo, France, Ukraine, and Uganda. Sisters Dianne Sabol and Christine Kosin are remaining in their roles with AIM-USA, where each has ministered for several years, but the following Sister Ann's retirement this summer, Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small has become the Director of AIM-USA.

Originally from New Jersey, Sister Jacqueline entered Mount Saint Benedict Monastery at the age of 26, in 2019, having completed a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work at Rutgers University. She has spent the last several years in initial formation for monastic life, ultimately making her perpetual profession in 2025. In that time, the bulk of her ministry has been at Benetvision, which promotes the contemporary feminist spirituality of Sister Joan Chittister, as well as Emmaus Ministries, the Benedictine soup kitchen and food pantry in Erie. She is also nearing the completion of a Masters of Theological Studies in monastic studies through Saint John's University School of Theology, in Collegeville, Minnesota.

“I am very excited to become involved with AIM,” Sister Jacqueline said. “In just these first few weeks, my eyes have been opened to the immensity of the Benedictine world. The dedication, perseverance, and creativity of monastics, especially in the Global South, is incredibly inspiring. For me, it is really humbling to be able to play even a small part in things like funding young sisters’ education, providing mosquito nets in Benedictine-run orphanages where children are at risk of malaria, and helping monks farm chickens so that their eggs can be sold cheaply to neighbors with HIV who are in need of easy protein sources. As Director of AIM-USA, I look forward to building relationships with—and between—monasteries in this country and around the world, and in doing everything I can to help raise awareness of what monastics are doing today to live the Gospel and the Rule of Benedict.”

Sister Ann Hoffman was particularly gifted at building these relationships, and the news of her retirement prompted tributes from friends of many years whom she had assisted with many projects that improved their safety and their ability to aid their larger communities. Her kindness and generosity were the theme of many of these tributes. At the August meeting, the Board thanked her for her many years of hard work and leadership and wished her happiness in her next chapter.

Bishop Elias Lorenzo, OSB - new president of the board - with new director, Sister Jacqueline Sanchez-Small.

Additionally, the Board members elected Bishop Elias Lorenzo, OSB, of Saint Mary’s Abbey, Morristown, NJ, as the President of the Board. He succeeds Sister Susan Quaintance, OSB, of Saint Scholastica Monastery, Chicago, IL. Bishop Elias also holds a Master’s Degree in Liturgical Theology from Saint John's University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and a Licentiate in Canon Law. At St. Mary’s Abbey, he served as prior of the monastery, liturgy director and rector of the abbey church. Bishop Elias is a founding member and emeritus president of the International Commission on Benedictine Education an association of more than 180 Benedictine schools throughout the world. 

AIM-USA came into existence in 1973 and moved to Erie in 1990. Sister Jacqueline sees opportunities for the organization to find new ways to create a sense of mutuality and reciprocity between monasteries with different levels of resources; advocate for the needs of the poor, especially women and children; and support sustainability and preparation for adaptation for monasteries in areas that are particularly affected by climate collapse. “The Rule asks monastics to support each other in our weaknesses and to show one another the pure love of siblings,” Sister Jacqueline said. “AIM is a powerful channel through which that support and love can flow."