OUR Board of Directors

The Aim Higher Foundation’s Board of Directors brings together noteworthy lay and clerical leaders with a passion for Catholic education and our mission and experiences in the fields of school administration, board governance, financial management, law, consulting, teaching, non-profit development, and more.

The Aim Higher team relies on the nuanced perspectives, invaluable expertise, and active contributions provided by our board. We are deeply grateful for their willingness to give of their time and talent.

 


Mary E. Schaffner

Chair of the Board
Retired SVP & Senior Company Counsel


Jane McDonald Black

Executive Director, JAB Foundation


Jeff Cachat

Territory Sales Director for Hypertec Group


Christopher Collins, S.J.

Vice President for Mission, University of St. Thomas


Jackie Daylor

KPMG Lead Auditor Engagement Partner


Joseph P. Donnelly

Secretary of the Board
Retired Director of Laboratory Operations for 3M


Brent Frederick

Jester Concepts Owner, Hospitality Industry Leader


Paul Herro

Chief Operating Officer for Eyesafe


Julie Hurley

Retired Auditor and Property Manager


Steve Lucke

Retired Attorney and Mediator


Donal L. Mulligan

Retired CFO for General Mills; Former Chair of the Aim Higher Foundation Board of Directors


Elizabeth Nientimp

Director of Enterprise Editorial, Target


Sarah Schumacher

Treasurer of the Board
Retired Certified Public Accountant for Best Buy


Greg Schumacher

Partner, Granite Partners


Ricky Austin

Ex-Officio
President, Aim Higher Foundation


OUR Alumni Committee Members

Daniel Alimo

Scholarship Committee Member; Associate Business Banker, JP Morgan Chase Co.


Andrea Urzua

Finance Committee Member, Accounting and Finance Professional


OUR Non-Director Committee Members

Thomas Hodgdon

Development Committee Member, Strategy & Analytics Director for Granite Companies


Tom Margarit

Finance Committee Member; Boyum Barenscheer, Principal


Emily Howald Sefton

Development Committee Member; Contract Editor, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine


Steve Sefton

Finance Committee Member; President for Clearwater Equity Group


Brian Warpinski

Finance Committee Member, Morgan Stanley, Managing Director


Dan Weiler

Scholarship Committee Member, Corporate Banking Executive


OUR School Leader Advisory Committee

The Aim Higher Foundation’s School Leader Advisory Committee provides school and family-level perspective on the implementation and impact of the Foundation’s programs, policies, and procedures. Meeting quarterly, the committee is composed of leaders from a variety of backgrounds, roles, and types of Catholic schools across the Archdiocese.

To inquire about joining the committee, please contact Ricky Austin.

 


Laurie Barclay

Administrative Assistant

St. Jude of the Lake Catholic School

Craig Fiedler

Director of Advancement

St. Jerome School

 Karla Gergen

Principal

St. Helena Catholic School

 Adam Groebner

Principal

St. Therese Catholic School

Becky Kennedy

Principal, Committee Chair

Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School

Jean Landman

School Business Administrator

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School

Allison Mertz

Assistant Director for Admissions

Holy Family Catholic High School

Patrick O’Keefe

Principal

Blessed Trinity Catholic School

Joseph Olson

Director of Admissions

St. Agnes School

Katie Owens

Director of Financial Grants

Visitation School

Ryan Pajak

Principal

Nativity of Mary School

Mike Rogers

President

Risen Christ Catholic School

Joan Soper

Director of Mission, Events, and Communication

St. Raphael Catholic School