CHICAGO, IL, November 10, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Alec J. Wolff has been recognized for achievement in nonprofit leadership and ecclesiastical law.

Marked by more than four decades of leadership, international engagement and an unwavering commitment to service, Mr. Wolff has led a distinguished career at the intersection of religion and nonprofit initiatives. Since 2025, he has held the title of judge emeritus with the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago, following nearly 25 years as an ecclesiastical judge. In this capacity, he contributed significantly to the tribunal's work in canon law, reflecting his deep expertise in clerical legal matters.

Since 2015, Mr. Wolff has also served as a consultant for international ecclesiastical law, offering his guidance and experience across the United States, Europe, the United Arab Emirates, India and Southeast Asia. His advisory role has enabled him to share his knowledge with a diverse range of communities and organizations.

As the founding president of the ArchangelTrust Foundation — established in 2013 — Mr. Wolff has been vital in shaping its mission to help individuals and small communities overcome obstacles to self-sufficiency, specifically those who might otherwise lack access to support due to natural disasters or poverty. Under his leadership, the organization has successfully launched projects in the Philippines, India, South America and the United States.

Notably, the ArchangelTrust Foundation is developing an integrated farm in Tamil Nadu, India, which will serve as an internship site for agriculture students. The foundation also offers scholarships and medical initiatives, and is providing egg-laying chickens to former rebels in the Philippines to help them and their families rebuild their lives. Though Mr. Wolff's tenure with ArchangelTrust counts many milestones, he considers his most significant achievement to be establishing its capacity to reach people in rural areas who would otherwise have no access to assistance.

Ordained as a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1981, Mr. Wolff began his vocation in parochial ministry before dedicating approximately 25 years as an advocate, auditor and presiding judge with the Metropolitan Tribunal until 2025. His pastoral and judicial contributions have been central to his lifelong service within the church.

Outside of his work in religious and nonprofit services, Mr. Wolff served a five-year tenure on the board of directors for Literally Theater Chicago, contributing to the city's vibrant cultural scene. He also spent much of the 1990s authoring publications and producing media content for Paulist Communications (now Paulist Media Works) under the auspices of the Paulist Fathers.

Mr. Wolff's earlier experience in media includes serving as a television, theater and executive producer at Audio Word Media from 1979 to 1998. During this period, he collaborated with WGN-Chicago, CTA-Chicago and Italian TV on various projects that broadened his expertise in communications and media production. Among his creative achievements throughout this time are producing "Horizons," a radio program that was broadcast on several Chicago radio stations from 1990 to 1997; producing two operas — "Francesco: A Musical Biography" and "Vincent and the Kingdom" — between 1987 and 1990; and serving as the opera producer for "Francesco," which was performed at the famed Orchestra Hall in Chicago.

In 1979, Mr. Wolff completed a clinical psychiatric internship at the Psychiatric Institute and Maudsley Hospital in London — a formative experience that contributed to his understanding of mental health issues and ability to connect with those in need through pastoral care.

Alongside his primary roles, Mr. Wolff has maintained active memberships in several professional societies and organizations that reflect his dedication to both faith and civic life. He is a member of the Canon Law Society of America, the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago. He also contributes as an editorial board member for Revista Brasileira de Direito Canônico (Brazilian Journal of Canon Law) and is a contributor to The Canonist with the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Wolff's educational background is equally extensive and reflects his devotion to continuous learning. He earned a Doctor of Canon Law (JCD) with studies in international law from Pontificia Università Lateranense in 2002 as well as a Licentiate of Canon Law (JCL) from Pontificia Università Gregoriana in 2000, both in Rome, Italy. During the early years of his career, he obtained a Master of Divinity in theology from University of Saint Mary of the Lake in 1982 after earning a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Loyola University Chicago in 1977. In recognition of his academic achievements at Loyola, he was presented with the Excellence in Literary Studies Award — an honor he regards as particularly meaningful.

Reflecting on his storied journey since, Mr. Wolff credits perseverance as a central factor in his success; he describes himself as persistent in pursuing ideas he believes merit while also remaining open to others' perspectives through attentive listening.

Community service has been another hallmark of Mr. Wolff's life. He is an active member of the Union League Club of Chicago and has established scholarships at both Loyola University Chicago and Notre Dame College in honor of his parents' legacies.

Born an only child in Campania, Italy, Mr. Wolff enjoys playing golf, fine dining experiences and traveling extensively to explore different cultures — interests that align closely with his foundation's international work. At home, he tends an Italian-style flower garden that features hibiscus, lily of the valley, papyrus, cyclamens and ivy, greatly enjoying the relaxation it provides outside of his professional commitments.

Opera remains another one of Mr. Wolff's enduring passions; although he is not a performer himself, he regularly attends performances at Lyric Opera of Chicago as he continues to adjust to the changes that come with retirement after a lifetime of outstanding service.

Looking toward the future, Mr. Wolff aspires to grow ArchangelTrust Foundation further by raising additional funds to support more projects worldwide while maintaining its model where supported initiatives feed back into their local communities. His ultimate goal is to foster sustainable cycles that empower beneficiaries toward self-reliance so they may help others achieve similar success, a reflection of his longstanding legacy of helping both current and future generations through everything he does.

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