Member Spotlight: Kelly Clark, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Denver

The Catholic Journalist’s Member Spotlight highlights the diverse voices and organizations that make up the Catholic Media Association. This month we feature Kelly Clark, communications director for the Archdiocese of Denver, who shares insights into her work, the challenges of Catholic media today, and the mission that drives her storytelling.

Tell us about your current role and organization. What does your work look like day to day?

I’m the director of communications for the Archdiocese of Denver. After nearly 20 years in broadcast journalism — producing newscasts in Colorado Springs, Seattle, and later serving as an executive producer at CBS News Colorado — I felt God calling me out of the newsroom and into the heart of the church.

Today, I lead a team that tells the story of the church across Northern Colorado. Some days that means working with leadership on press statements on significant events or new initiatives, other days it’s managing publications, producing features, or planning coverage for big events like the March for Life Colorado or the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which stopped in several locations across the state in 2024.

No two days look the same, but at the heart of it all is one mission: showing people that Jesus is with us — in our grief, in our joy and in every ordinary moment in between.

What first inspired you to work in Catholic media? Was there a moment or mentor who influenced you?

It wasn’t a mentor so much as a moment of encounter. My story was published in Denver Catholic about how Jesus met me in the operating room during one of the most challenging times of my life. That moment transformed me and brought me back to the center of my Catholic faith. After almost two decades in news, I realized I wanted to use my skills differently — to tell stories of faith, hope and charity. That’s what led me here, and it’s why I love this work.

How does your faith inform your work?

My faith is the foundation of everything I do. In journalism, it was always in the background. Now it’s front and center. Having experienced Jesus in my own suffering, I know the power of testimony.

I want people to know him the way I’m learning to: not as an idea or a distant judge, but as a living, loving Savior who meets us exactly where we are — in our fears, our wounds and our messy, beautiful hearts. That belief shapes how I tell stories and why I do this work.

What is your organization’s mission, and how does Catholic media help advance it?

The Archdiocese of Denver exists so that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father. My role is helping people see that mission alive here and now.

Catholic media is a bridge. Through stories, events and testimonies, we help people encounter Christ in their daily lives. When we cover something like the March for Life or the Eucharistic Pilgrimage, the mission of the church extends far beyond those who attend — reaching people across the state and even beyond.

What makes your ministry unique in serving your community?

Our archdiocese is vast — from the mountains to the plains, the metro area to the Wyoming border. We serve Catholics in cities, suburbs, ranches and small towns.

That diversity is both a challenge and a gift. Our communications work has to meet people where they are while showing the unity of our faith. When the Eucharistic Pilgrimage came through, it was moving to see Catholics from different places gathered around the same Eucharistic Lord. That’s what makes our ministry special — connecting a wide and varied community as one church.

How has your organization adapted to changes in the media landscape?

We’ve leaned hard into digital. Our magazine remains central, but every issue now includes videos, articles, and social media campaigns that expand its reach.

Event coverage has also changed. The March for Life or the Eucharistic Pilgrimage don’t just live in one moment — they live online through livestreams, reels, galleries and stories people can share. And when tragedies strike — like the June attack in Boulder, or the recent school shootings in Minneapolis and Evergreen — we respond quickly with statements that balance clarity and professionalism, while also witnessing to our faith in Christ, offering prayers, and reminding people of the hope the church proclaims even in the darkest moments.

What strategies have you found most effective in engaging diocesan and parish audiences?

Relationships are everything. HubSpot has been a game-changer because it lets us communicate weekly with priests, parish leaders and business managers. That consistency builds trust and connection.

We also create content for the archdiocese’s online and social channels along with content for Catholic social media, so parishes can echo the same message with the click of a button.

What’s next for you and your organization?

At the end of the day, our work is about building up the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s the goal, always. We’ll keep strengthening our digital strategies, expanding event coverage, and finding new ways to share stories of faith.

We’re also preparing for an important moment in the life of the Archdiocese of Denver. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila turned 75 Sept. 24, and when the Holy Father accepts his retirement, we’ll walk through a time of transition together. Part of my role is creating a communications plan to support the curia, our parishes, and the faithful through that process. It will be a time of change, but also a time of trust — knowing the Holy Spirit is leading the way.

One last thought

I have an incredible team who give 100% — not just on the easy days, but especially on the tough days when people most need to hear from our Shepherd. The hours can be long, but their dedication to the mission never wavers. Their faith and commitment remind me that this isn’t just a job; it’s a vocation. And that gives me tremendous hope for what God is doing in our archdiocese.