The keynote speaker for the Institute for Social Action will be Helene Paharik, Director of the Department of Human Dignity, Secretariat for Evangelization and Social Concerns of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Helene is a graduate of Seton Hill University. She earned her Master of Arts degree in New Testament Theology at St. Vincent Seminary. Helene describes the purpose of her presentation being "to share with colleagues a vision and a hope of the Church promoting the dignity of the human person as one body united in love."

Since 2006 Helene has worked as Director of Development at the Beit Benedict Peace Academy, at Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem. She has also served the Church as Pastoral Associate at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, Pa. where she instituted award-winning parish ministries. She also was the Coordinator of Ministry Development at Mount St. Peter Parish in New Kensington, Pa.