Coalition for Life Team

Mark Cavaliere is the Founder of the Southwest Coalition for Life which he launched in response to an abortion facility opening in Las Cruces, NM, in 2014. The Coalition was established the following year, and in 2016, Mark quit his job to organize full-time outreach until the facility closed permanently in 2017, citing financial problems for suddenly “not getting enough patients.” Since then, Mark has worked tirelessly to unite the pro-life community across the larger region El Paso, Texas & Southern New Mexico, through which God has now closed 3 abortion facilities in just over 3 years. Under his leadership, the Southwest Coalition for Life has been called one of the most high-impact local and regional pro-life organizations in the nation. Starting with 40 Days for Life, Mark has mobilized thousands to action leading 35 vigils across 17 campaigns at 8 locations in 2 states, developed innovative sidewalk outreach programs, launched a Save the Storks medical ultrasound bus, and has helped raise over $3 million across various pro-life organizations in less than 5 years. On behalf of the El Paso community, he was presented with the Pro-Life Hero Award in 2019 and the Protector of Women & Children Award in 2020.

Mark is frequently asked to train pro-life groups across the country on the psychology of persuasion in pro-life work. He also conducts, emcees, and consults webcast and banquet events, and frequently speaks at pro-life galas, conferences, and programs including the Live Action Activism Training Camp, the Saving Lives on the Sidewalk National Conference, Students for Life Leadership Summits, the 40 Days for Life Leadership Symposium, the Explicitly Pro-Life Podcast with Kristan Hawkins, Jesus 911 Radio with Jesse Romero, the Webcast Success Bootcamp with David Bereit, and more. In addition to various local and regional media, Mark has also been featured by EWTN, Newsweek, USA Today, The Washington Times, The Guardian, National Catholic Register, The Catholic World Report, Crux, Live Action News, LifeSiteNews, Celebrate Life Magazine, and more. One of his great honors is to sit on the national Board of Directors of The Guiding Star Project, and is now the CEO of his local affiliate Guiding Star El Paso which he helped launch in 2017. In his free time, Mark enjoys tinkering with computer and internet technologies, amateur web/video/graphic design, reading books with his five children, and watching movies with his beautiful wife Melissa at their home in Chaparral, NM, where they have numerous chickens, ducks, and goats.

Jessica Sifuentes is a distinguished pro-life activist, entrepreneur, and President of the Southwest Coalition, Inc., whose journey is marked by resilience, faith, and compassion. A devotee of Fr. Richard Thomas, her faith formation journey began in her student days and continues to underpin her work. Jessica is married to her high school sweetheart and homeschooled her four children, while instilling in them the teachings of the Catholic faith.

In addition to her family commitments and faith practice, Jessica has demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by establishing her own successful catering business. This, coupled with her role as a catechist, teaching youth about the Catholic faith, reflects her ability to balance varied responsibilities with grace and steadfastness.

Her engagement with pro-life activism was, at first, met with resistance. Over a decade ago, she had two impactful encounters while praying on the sidewalk at the Hill Top abortion center in El Paso. Both times, her encounters with husbands whose wives were contemplating abortions left her feeling defeated and terrified. Convinced she would never return to pro-life work, she took a hiatus from the cause.

However, with time and the persistent encouragement from her cousin, Gaby, Jessica found herself reluctantly drawn back to the pro-life cause. She started with Southwest Coalition as a 40 Days for Life vigil coordinator in Santa Teresa, NM and El Paso, TX, which rapidly expanded under her leadership. Jessica also made the Southwest Coalition’s vision of mobile medical bus operations and increased sidewalk outreach initiatives a reality, further advancing the pro-life cause in her community.

Today, as the President of the Southwest Coalition, Jessica is committed to improving the lives and quality of healthcare for women. In her leadership role, she has been able to apply the knowledge she gained as a graduate of the EOS Integrator Masterclass, effectively transforming the big visions of the Coalition into tangible results.

Her extraordinary story and commitment have not gone unnoticed; Jessica has been invited to share her insights at national and international pro-life conferences. Despite initial setbacks and emotionally charged encounters, her journey is testament to her unwavering faith and a profound calling to stand up for life. Jessica Sifuentes, through her resilience, strength and deep-rooted faith, embodies the change that she wishes to see, making a significant impact on the lives of many.