Young Adult Empowerment Team
YAE Team Biographies
Walter Hidalgo
Walter Hidalgo was born and raised in the south side of Providence, Rhode Island to immigrant parents from Guatemala. He holds a PhD in ministry from New York Theological Seminary where his focus was on the intersectionality between socio-spiritual movements and Hip-hop culture. As a Mission Educator Promoter that’s based out of New York, his focus is primarily on helping to develop our free resources for teachers and catechists while accompanying young adults into becoming missionary disciples. In addition to his ministerial work, Walter enjoys traveling, working out, reading, sushi and spending time with his amazing daughter!
Kathleen O’Brien
Kathleen O’Brien is based at the Los Altos Maryknoll house and serves the Northern California region. Kathleen received her bachelor's degree in philosophy and religious studies at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and a master’s in systematic theology from Catholic Theological Union. Before becoming a Mission Promoter, she dedicated three years as a Maryknoll missionary in China teaching English at Jilin Agricultural College and Jilin Catholic Seminary. She is most passionate about animating young adults in their Catholic faith, empowering young women to take on leadership roles in the church, and creating spaces for unlikely encounters between people of different backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints.
Sarahi Unzueta
Sarahi Unzueta is a faith-driven leader working at the intersection of culture, small faith-based initiatives, and global solidarity. She received a master's degree in Pastoral Studies with a certificate in Intercultural Studies from Catholic Theological Union. Her passion for missionary discipleship was sparked during a Maryknoll immersion trip to Bolivia during her graduate studies, inspiring her to create spaces for young adults and Latino@ communities to reconnect with their faith, roots, and identity.
She serves on the Intercultural Advisory Ministry Team in the Diocese of Gary and the board of LaRED National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana, advocating for Latin@s in the U.S and young adult leadership in the Church. She also organizes immersion trips and formation experiences that explore the connections between faith, justice, and culture.
Outside of her ministry, she enjoys long walks, quiet reflection, and time with her beloved cats.
Zahira Sandoval
Zahira Sandoval serves as the Administrative Coordinator at the Chicago Maryknoll office. She was raised on the South Side of Chicago and became involved in local organizations at a young age to uplift her community and create opportunities for young people.
With a background in Early Childhood Development, Zahira has stepped into youth leadership roles, helping organize community events, clothing and food drives, neighborhood cleanups, and offering tutoring to young adults and teens. In her free time, she enjoys cookouts with family and spending time in nature, where she feels closest to God and is reminded of the beauty of creation.
