Aileen believes people are more open to encountering Christ when they first know they are seen, welcomed, and loved. That conviction has guided her from a career in hospitality and technology to youth ministry and parish leadership. Aileen grew up along the Southwest border in a deeply Franciscan household. The Franciscan values of simplicity, joyful service, care for the poor, and living the Gospel through action continue to shape her approach to mission. She is an Aggie Catholic and graduated from Texas A&M University in 2015. Aileen has built a career in B2B startups, hospitality, technology, and organizational leadership. Her work allowed her to serve people from many cultures and backgrounds, strengthening her ability to lead with empathy, adaptability, and genuine hospitality. She has traveled to more than 25 countries!

She currently serves as the Business Manager at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Navasota, Texas. In addition to parish administration, she is the Youth Minister and supports faith formation, communications, fundraising, and evangelization under the pastoral leadership of Father David Michael Moses.

She also completed the 500-mile-long Camino Francés of the Camino de Santiago in 2024, an experience that deepened her understanding of faith as a journey of "poco a poco" perseverance, surrender, community, and grace. At the center of Aileen’s life is Jesus in the Eucharist, accompanied by a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Her mission is to use hospitality, administration, creativity, and joyful service to help build a Church where people can encounter Christ and recognize that they, too, are called and sent. Her most important roles in life are being a Godmother to her two nieces and a prayerful auntie to her nephew. She likes dresses with pockets, learning about the lives of the saints, planning trips and pilgrimages, and a good karaoke night.