THE ANNUAL ORANGE Catholic Foundation’s Conference on Business & Ethics celebrates the accomplishments of leaders in the areas of business, education, community service and religious life who, through their work and service, embrace tenets of Catholicism.
The conference also serves as a major fundraiser for the Diocese of Orange Catholic Schools Fund and School Tuition Assistance Endowment.
Through a generous outpouring of support, the 2025 conference, held March 19 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine, raised more than $900,000.
This year’s conference also coincided with the Feast of St. Joseph – the feast day when Catholics honor St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus and the husband of Mary, Jesus’ mother.
In a written statement to conference organizers and attendees, Bishop Kevin Vann encouraged everyone to “share with one another how your faith shapes the way you love and serve, following the example of St. Joseph.”
JIM WAHLBERG, THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THIS YEAR’S ORANGE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION’S CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS & ETHICS, ADDRESSES ATTENDEES. PHOTO BY LISA RENEE
Sr. Johnellen Turner, the mission advancement associate for the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, was presented with the 2025 Farmers & Merchants Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to an “individual, couple, or organization who has made a significant contribution to the community within the Diocese of Orange.”
Throught her 50 years of service to Catholic education, Sr. Johnellen has held leadership roles at St. Callistus Church in Garden Grove and St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim, where she served for 17 years.
In her acceptance speech, Sr. Johnellen expressed gratitude to the individuals and groups who have touched her spirit along the way. Sr. Johnellen talked about the importance of entering religious life despite its declining popularity.
“Religious life is not the most popular choice for young women anymore,” she said. “We are pretty counter-cultural, but we’re strong.”
She also thanked the attendees for operating their businesses in accordance with Christian principles.
“I am moved with a sense of gratitude,” Sr. Johnellen said. “You are here because you are ethical and moral leaders in your companies and in our world, because of your choice to lead with your heart and to trust in your God.”
The Bishop’s Award for Exemplary Business Integrity, awarded to “business leaders who have demonstrated ethical practices in all aspects of their lives,” was presented to Joe Baldo, founder of Higher Ground Youth & Family Services, and to Jim Snyder, chief executive officer at Tidemark Real Estate Services.
After retiring from a career in corporate communications, Baldo sought opportunities that would allow him to serve people in need. He ultimately found his niche serving troubled youth who were badly in need of support and direction. Baldo started a small ministry, which grew to become Higher Ground Youth & Family Services.
In 2019, Baldo was approached by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force to create a human trafficking prevention program, which is now presented to junior high and high school students as well as foster youth and youth in the juvenile justice system.
Baldo is a parishioner at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Yorba Linda.
With 40 years of experience in real estate sales and brokerage, Jim Snyder has orchestrated more than $2 billion of transacted commercial real estate.
As a supporter of Catholic education, Snyder spoke fondly of his years attending St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Costa Mesa and Mater Dei High School.
“And there are two things that have carried on to our business, to our family, really were these,” Snyder said. “One is, do your best. The sisters would always say ‘James always, think, when you’re dealing with other people, think about the best in them. Think about the God in them.’ And the second thing is, do your best.”
Today Snyder and his family are parishioners at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Dana Point, where he also volunteers as a lector. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 12451.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The keynote speaker of the conference was noted film director, writer and producer Jim Wahlberg, who served as executive producer of the 2022 documentary, “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love” and 2024 documentary “Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist.”
Wahlberg spoke candidly about his addiction to opioids at age 12 and years spent in juvenile detention, foster care, group homes and prison. He wound up back in prison where an encounter with Mother Teresa marked a significant turning point in his life.
“Because my head was down, the first thing I noticed was her feet,” Wahlberg recalled. “And I noticed her toes all hunched up. And I looked up a little bit and she had an old granny sweater with holes in it. I saw her face. We did not make eye contact.”
During Mother Teresa’s visit, her words about Jesus dying for him and that he was more than his crimes had a deep impact, Wahlberg said. He was transferred to a minimum-security prison and eventually made his Confirmation into the Catholic Church.
“Nothing is too big for God,” he said. “Only God can take that guy and turn him into this guy. Only God can take that broken, lost child and turn him into the man that makes films about Mother Teresa.”
Wahlberg closed by thanking the foundation for inviting him to share his journey.
“Thank you for allowing me to witness the spirit of service that I see here in Orange County,” he said. “I heard people talking about the blessings in their life, in their willingness, in their desire. They feel compelled to share their blessings with others. And that is beautiful.”
The date for the 23rd Annual Conference on Business & Ethics is Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. For more information visit https://www.orangecatholicfoundation.org/