We are delighted to share the incredible news that Colonel Susan Malone, a dedicated Board Member of Catholic International University from 2015-2024, has been honored by Pope Francis with the prestigious title of Dame of St. Gregory the Great. This esteemed recognition is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and philanthropic leadership within their communities and the Catholic Church.
Colonel Malone’s remarkable career spans over four decades of service in federal investigations, intelligence, and international civil affairs. As a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former FBI agent, she has contributed her expertise to the State Department and United Nations, working on critical missions in Iraq, Jordan, and Indonesia. She has advised the governments of Haiti and Iraq on human rights and anti-corruption initiatives and served as a senior law and justice adviser for the U.S. government. Notably, she was recently honored as one of the first two female FBI agents in 1972. Currently, she continues her dedication to public service as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Nevada, advocating for veterans.
Beyond her professional achievements, Colonel Malone has been an unwavering servant of the Catholic Church. Since 2014, she has volunteered as a Judicial Tribunal Assistant and Advocate for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, providing critical support for marriage tribunal cases, even traveling to combat zones for her work. Her commitment to adult faith formation through distance learning and her consultation efforts with dioceses to enhance safe environment practices demonstrate her deep-rooted faith and dedication to the Church’s mission.
Colonel Malone is actively involved in multiple Catholic orders, including the Order of Malta, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and the Constantinian Order of St. George. She has played a significant role in organizing pilgrimages, fundraising events, and charitable initiatives worldwide. Her commitment to service is also evident in her support for wounded veterans through the Malta Warrior Project at Walter Reed Military Hospital.
Locally, Colonel Malone has been a pillar of faith and service, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and volunteer in her parish and for Catholic Charities. In 2024, she was honored at the Annual Diocesan Appreciation Banquet for her outstanding service to the Diocese of Reno.
Her papal honor is particularly historic, as she is only the fourth person in Nevada to receive this recognition. Her formal investiture will take place on March 2, 2025, at 9:30 AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nevada.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Colonel Susan Malone for this well-deserved recognition. Her life’s work exemplifies the values of faith, service, and leadership that inspire us all.