Alexander Cayetano, formerly a Benedictine monk and now the senior director of Leadership Development with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, talks about living life at crossroads, influenced by Cayetano’s Filipino heritage, the appeal of liturgy, coming to Nebraska, and their call to a community-minded monastic life. We talk also about Cayetano exiting the monastery to marry their same sex partner and enter a professional career.

Cayetano serves as the Senior Director of Leadership Development at the Greater Omaha Chamber. A vocation to the monastic life brought them from their hometown, Virginia Beach, to rural Nebraska. A decade spent in a Benedictine monastery instilled deep values of hospitality, community, and service, which Cayetano now carries into their professional life. Their spiritual discernment journey continues as does their commitment to social justice endeavors. Cayetano serves on the boards of Astute Coffee, Tri-Faith Initiative, and Immigrant Legal Center – Refugee Empowerment Center. A graduate of Leadership Omaha Class 44, Cayetano and their spouse, Travis, live in Omaha.