Positioned for Impact: CCL at SENT
The Couple to Couple League (CCL) continues to stand at the forefront of faith, fertility, and innovation. Earlier this fall, Executive Director Katie Zulanas represented CCL at the SENT Ventures Summit, held September 8–11, 2025, on the campus of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. The event gathered Catholic business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs in one place. Their goal was to strengthen a community of faithful innovators building a better culture.
For CCL, the Summit offered a great opportunity to share our mission of empowering couples through fertility awareness and NFP. We also explored how these values intersect with technology, business, and Catholic social teaching.
Purpose and Vision
CCL’s participation in the Summit was guided by several key goals: to connect with Catholic business owners and investors who share our mission-centered values, to strengthen how we communicate our message so it resonates with both traditional and emerging Catholic audiences, to explore partnerships with organizations aligned with our vision, and to gather insights that will enhance our education, outreach, and fundraising strategies.
Building Connections and Collaboration
The Summit’s structure encouraged meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Katie connected with more than 40 new contacts, including leaders from health care, Catholic ministries, and mission-driven startups. These conversations opened doors to new partnerships and shared initiatives. We also visualized how CCL can continue to faithfully and authentically be a leader in the growing femtech space.
In breakout groups and informal discussions, conversations centered around integrating Catholic values into health care, the growing public interest in fertility awareness, and the urgent need for well-formed alternatives to mainstream reproductive health approaches. Katie also shared CCL’s educational materials and insights, sparking strong interest from parishes and dioceses looking to offer more comprehensive fertility education programs.
Key Outcomes
- Broadened CCL’s professional network and visibility among Catholic leaders and investors.
- Identified new opportunities for pilot programs in growing parishes.
- Strengthened CCL’s relationships with allied organizations in the Catholic health and wellness space.
- Gained valuable feedback on how our message resonates with professionals and donors in today’s environment.
Insights and Next Steps
The Summit affirmed that fertility awareness has never been more relevant or needed. Donors, investors and Catholic innovators alike are looking for programs that are fresh, credible, and forward-thinking. CCL’s Fertility Science Institute name and brand message stood out as especially strong, signaling that we are well-positioned for the next phase of growth.
In the months ahead, CCL will continue cultivating the new relationships formed at the Summit, deepening collaboration with dioceses, and building bridges with Catholic business networks through ongoing Sent Ventures gatherings.
Looking Ahead
The Summit also highlighted broader themes shaping today’s Catholic business and technology landscape. These themes included the promise and challenges of AI, to how Catholic investors are intentionally supporting values-driven ventures, to the celebration of innovative ministries and leaders making a difference.
Through it all, one message was clear: organizations like CCL are essential in bringing faith and human dignity into today’s cultural and technological conversations. Our mission helping couples understand their fertility and live God’s plan for marriage is timeless as well as timely.
CCL’s presence at SENT Ventures Summit reaffirmed that we are on the right path. We are building strong partnerships, inspiring confidence, and helping shape a faithful future in the femtech space.
This summary was compiled by Martha Haenni, CCL Content Editor, from a staff presentation by Katie Zulanas, CCL Ex. Dir.