Agaba Hellen

My professional journey has been one of transformation and purpose. I started as an elementary school teacher, working with little ones, but I felt something was calling me beyond the classroom. Though I loved teaching and loved the children, I wasn't getting that fulfillment I was seeking. So I pivoted to business administration, first earning a diploma where I achieved a distinction, then advancing to my bachelor's degree in the same program. For 10 years, I served as the finance lead for the Congregation of Holy Cross in East Africa, covering Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and other countries, while reporting to the mother province here in the USA. After a decade in the field, I wanted to expand my impact globally rather than staying only in East Africa. That desire led me to the University of Notre Dame in 2024, where I earned my Master's in Nonprofit Administration with a major in finance, graduating in May 2025. I was blessed to secure my current role as Assistant International Controller for Holy Cross Women Ministries immediately after graduation. Now I oversee financial management and accountability for 29 ministry centers across 18 countries on all continents. My days are filled with top-notch leadership meetings focused on budgeting, strategic planning, and risk management. Working with a faith-based organization, I'm fortunate to attend Mass every noon for prayers before returning to continue my work. Most of my time is spent in the boardroom, but what truly fulfills me is having conversations with directors in different countries who speak different languages, and seeing the impact our ministry makes in hard-to-reach areas through media and other channels.