The Ignatian Spirituality Center of Milwaukee was born from the shared vision of four individuals—Peggy Flynn, William (Bill) Lipscomb, Nicky Roden, and Conrad York—each of whom brings a rich tapestry of professional experience and deep personal commitment to the path of Ignatian spirituality. Though their backgrounds span psychology, law, media, healthcare, corporate leadership, and theology, they are united by their desire to offer spiritual accompaniment rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Their journeys reflect a deep integration of professional expertise, contemplative formation, and a shared calling to serve others—especially those navigating transitions, seeking meaning, or discerning their next chapter in life. Through study, prayer, and years of service, the founders have cultivated lives grounded in Ignatian discernment and now lead the Center with a spirit of humility, hospitality, and hope.
Together, Peggy, Bill, Nicky, and Conrad embody the Center’s mission: to honor each person’s unique spiritual journey and foster transformative encounters with God.
Our Vision for the Future
Guided by the wisdom of Ignatian spirituality and the enduring relevance of the Spiritual Exercises, we envision the Ignatian Spirituality Center of Milwaukee as a dynamic and inclusive spiritual home for individuals and communities seeking deeper relationship with God. Our future is rooted in three commitments: to expand access to spiritual direction and retreats, especially among underserved and marginalized populations; to form and support the next generation of spiritual directors; and to cultivate spaces for study, reflection, and communal discernment.
As we grow, we seek to become a catalyst for spiritual renewal across Wisconsin—a place where seekers of all backgrounds encounter the transforming grace of God, are accompanied with compassion, and are invited into lives of greater freedom, purpose, and service. We dream of a Center that is both contemplative and courageous, grounded in tradition yet responsive to the spiritual needs of our time.
Together with our partners, volunteers, and those we serve, we move forward in hope—trusting that God is already at work in the hearts of all who are drawn to this sacred path.
Meet the Leadership Team
Peggy Flynn
Peggy earned an MA in psychology with a focus on adult development in the second half of life. Peggy subsequently earned a certificate in Jungian Studies from the Chicago Jung Institute and a graduate certificate in geriatric care management from the University of Florida. Peggy studied the practice of spiritual direction at Loyola University in Chicago in addition to courses offered by Spiritual Directors International, Shalem, the Center for Action and Contemplation, and Contemplative Outreach. Peggy’s “First Chapter” was in the fledgling computer industry (1967-1988); her second Chapter was in healthcare and care management (1989-2014); and in this third Chapter, Peggy is focused on spirituality, especially the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius (2015-present). Peggy’s current practice as a spiritual director, an end-of-life counselor, and a geriatric care consultant is informed by her study of the interface between psychology and spirituality, adult development, spirituality and aging, spirituality and creativity, and the medieval women mystics. Peggy understands from her work and personal experience that navigating transitions is an essential skill AND that transitions (planned/unplanned, welcome/unwelcome) can liberate all sorts of gifts and potential.
William Limpscomb
Bill earned a BA in history from the University of Virginia and a JD from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Bill served 35 years as a prosecutor, the last 32 years as a federal prosecutor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a federal prosecutor, Bill led many violent crime and narcotic task forces as well as collaborative violence reduction efforts involving law enforcement, business, academic, government, and community serving agencies. Bill also served as a Board member of community serving organizations including the YMCA, Safe and Sound, and Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Late in his law enforcement career, Bill went back to school and earned an MA in Systematic Theology from Sacred Heart and a certificate in spiritual direction from the Midwest Jesuits. Now, retired from prosecution, Bill serves as a spiritual director with the Ignatian Spirituality Center and the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bill also leads lay graduate students at Sacred Heart in discernment of call to ministry and service. Bill’s vocation is to help people become more attuned to how God is moving in their lives and calling them to serve God by serving others.
Nicky Roden
Nicky earned a BS in Finance and Accounting from Marquette University and an MBA and MS Design Innovation from Northwestern University. Nicky has held product and transformation leadership roles across industries and companies, with a deep professional passion for solving complex problems through a human-centered lens. Inspired by her time at Marquette University, Nicky has also sought to "be the difference" through service over the years, including a non-profit fellowship in Nicaragua with Fabretto, a service trip rebuilding homes after Hurricane Katrina, and more recently with her work in healthcare, on the planning committee for the GiGi's Playhouse Dash for Down Syndrome, and as a volunteer and adopter with Tailwaggers 911 dog rescue. She is also a proud mom as of November 2025. Nicky benefited greatly as a participant in spiritual direction while a parishioner at St. Monica in Santa Monica, CA, and is eager to help expand the reach of the Ignatian Spirituality Center now that she has returned home to the Milwaukee area.
Conrad York
Conrad earned a BS in Finance and Management Information Systems and an MBA from Marquette University. Conrad has decades of experience in senior positions at Northwestern Mutual and Quad Graphics where he led marketing and sales initiatives that spurred innovation and growth. Throughout his business career, Conrad served on the boards of many community serving organizations, with a singular passion for enterprises enhancing the education of under-served children in the Milwaukee area. More recently, inspired by his completion of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, Conrad retired from his business career and committed himself to the study of theology and the practice of spiritual accompaniment. Conrad is a trained Spiritual Director from the SIF program of the Midwest Jesuits.