The Catholic Education Foundation keeps Catholic education within reach
Through our endowment and other financial initiatives, we connect the generosity of people who believe in Catholic education with students and families who need support.
Because when more families can choose Catholic schools, students are formed in faith, school communities grow stronger, and Catholic education can thrive for generations to come.
Our Vision and Mission
Vision
Thriving Catholic schools where every family has the opportunity to experience the enduring impact of an exceptional education that is rooted in faith and enriched by a Catholic school community.
Mission
To make Catholic education affordable for families and strengthen Catholic schools for generations to come.
What if one generation could help secure Catholic education for the next?
Catholic education is not simply the responsibility of parents whose children are enrolled in Catholic schools, but a mission shared by the whole Catholic community.
read moreOur Team
The Catholic Education Foundation team brings together experience in fundraising, education, communications, and program leadership with a shared commitment to Catholic schools and the families they serve.
Michael Carbery, CFA
Executive Director
Michael Carbery serves as Executive Director of the Catholic Education Foundation, a role he began in March 2026. He brings extensive experience in fundraising, finance, and organizational leadership to CEF. Before joining the Foundation, Mike served for eight years as Senior Director of Development at DePaul University. Earlier in his career, he was a founding director of First Community Bank of Homer Glen and Lockport following more than 25 years as a senior financial executive with several Wall Street firms.
A Joliet Catholic Academy graduate, Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with honors from Yale University and a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Catholic leadership from DePaul University. Mike also brings a long record of service to Catholic organizations in the Diocese of Joliet, including 9 years on the Board of Directors at St. Francis High School. The gift of Catholic education has shaped Mike’s family life and formed the values that guide him – living faithfully, giving generously, and leading responsibly. A parishioner at St. Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton for over 30 years, Mike is honored to serve his home diocese and help more families make Catholic education part of their children’s life journey.
Jane McGrath Schmig
Interim Director
Jane McGrath Schmig serves as Interim Director of Programs for the Catholic Education Foundation. She joined CEF as a consultant in May 2025 following a 35-year career at DePaul University, where she served as Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff for Enrollment Management and Marketing. She is drawn to CEF’s mission of making Catholic education accessible throughout the Diocese of Joliet.
Jane attended St. Jude School in Joliet and St. Francis Academy, now Joliet Catholic Academy. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Creighton University. Jane serves on the Diocesan School Board and previously served on the boards of Joliet Catholic Academy and the Franciscan Learning Center. She has also held volunteer leadership roles at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus. Jane and her husband, Tim, are Cathedral parishioners and have three daughters—Annie, Katie and Claire—who attended Catholic schools from preschool through college.
Shirley Roberson
Program Coordinator
Shirley Roberson serves as Program Coordinator for the Catholic Education Foundation and has been a member of the CEF team for nine years. In her role, she supports the Foundation’s programs and its work to make Catholic education more accessible to families throughout the Diocese of Joliet. Before joining CEF, Shirley worked as a compensation analyst at Methodist Hospital.
Shirley earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from DePaul University. She is drawn to the Catholic Education Foundation because of its commitment to keeping Catholic schools affordable and assisting families with demonstrated financial need or significant circumstances. Shirley values CEF’s efforts to provide tuition assistance so students can receive an excellent Catholic education. She also appreciates the Foundation’s commitment to recognizing teachers for their dedication and hard work in Catholic school classrooms.
Gregory Porod
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Greg Porod is Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Joliet and a parishioner at Christ the Servant Parish. He brings more than 40 years of experience in education, having worked as an elementary and junior high school teacher, athletic director, licensed school guidance counselor, college academic advisor, college admissions counselor, assistant principal, principal, ESL director, and now superintendent.
Greg attended Benedictine University and Loyola University and holds five educational endorsements, as well as advanced degrees in higher education, school administration, and superintendency. He supports the Catholic Education Foundation because its work expands access to Catholic schools for students and families throughout the Diocese. Through his involvement with CEF, Greg hopes to help cast a wider net so that more students have the opportunity to benefit from the academic excellence, faith formation, and supportive communities found in Catholic schools.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings together leaders who share a deep belief in the value of Catholic education. Through their professional expertise, faith, and commitment to service, they help guide the Catholic Education Foundation as we work to keep Catholic education within reach for families today and for generations to come.
Bishop D. Spies
Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet
Bishop Dennis Edward Spies was born March 5, 1968, in Clifton, Illinois, and grew up in a close-knit Catholic family as the son of Rose Mary and the late Vincent Spies. He was raised in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Ashkum, where his early faith life took root. His childhood and adolescence were shaped by smalltown life, attending Ashkum Elementary School and later Clifton Central High School.
Jeff Arseneau (Chairman)
St. Anthony, Frankfort
Jeff Arseneau is serving in his third year as Board of Directors Chairman. Jeff works in Agency Field Leadership for State Farm Insurance and is a parishioner at St. Anthony Parish in Frankfort.
A graduate of St. Patrick Grade School and Bishop McNamara Catholic High School in Kankakee, Jeff credits his own strong Catholic education with shaping his commitment to faith-based learning. He serves on the Catholic Education Foundation Board of Directors as an opportunity to give back to the community and help more families provide their children with a high-quality Catholic education in the schools of the Diocese of Joliet.
Jeff and his wife, Debby, have three children, all of whom graduated from Providence Catholic High School. Since 2007, Jeff and Debby have volunteered at Providence in a variety of capacities. Through his board service and longtime involvement with Catholic schools, Jeff is committed to supporting students, strengthening families, and helping Catholic education thrive for future generations.
Mike Abernathy
St. Michael, Wheaton
Mike Abernathy is the Global IP Disputes Leader at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and a parishioner at St. Michael Parish in Wheaton. He serves on the Catholic Education Foundation Board of Directors to help ensure that a Catholic education remains available for generations of deserving students, regardless of their families’ income.
Mike brings extensive leadership experience in support of Catholic schools and parish life. He currently serves on St. Michael Parish’s Finance Committee, Building and Grounds Committee, and School Board. He also chaired the parish’s successful capital campaign to build a new library, music room, and learning center. His previous service includes chairing the St. Francis High School Board and serving as a trustee of All Saints Catholic Academy.
Through these roles, Mike has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to strengthening Catholic education and expanding opportunities for students and families.
Chris Breyne
St. Isidore, Bloomingdale
Chris Breyne is a retired implementation financial analyst who worked in the payroll industry for his entire 31-year career with Automatic Data Processing. A parishioner at St. Isidore in Bloomingdale, Chris is a graduate of St. Andrew the Apostle School in Romeoville and Joliet Catholic High School.
His commitment to Catholic education is deeply personal: his mother taught first and second grades at St. Andrew for 25 years, and his son and daughter attended St. Isidore School and St. Francis High School.
Chris was inspired to serve on the Catholic Education Foundation Board by former St. Isidore pastor Father Jim Murphy’s belief that finances should never prevent a family from choosing a Catholic school. He has also served on St. Isidore’s Finance Council and School Board and the Diocese of Joliet School Board. Chris and his wife, Jan, support Neighborhood Food Pantries and SCARCE.
Jim Brintnall
St. Michael, Wheaton
Jim serves on the Catholic Education Foundation Board of Directors because he believes Catholic education makes a meaningful and enduring difference in the lives of its students. Jim’s own Catholic education—through grade school, high school, and the University of Notre Dame—shaped his life in countless ways and inspired his commitment to making Catholic schools available to more families. Jim and his family have experienced that impact across generations. His three children, now young adults, benefited from their many years at St. Michael Parish School and Benet Academy. Jim has been a parishioner at St. Michaels’s and recently retired from his career as a marketing executive, most recently serving as the Senior Director of Program Development and Strategic Integration at DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management. He is pleased to share this professional experience and his personal perspective with the Foundation as it works to build awareness, expand access to Catholic education and strengthen its impact throughout the schools of the Diocese of Joliet.
Don Ciancio
Our Lady of Peace, Darien
Don Ciancio is the retired executive vice president of Vantage Specialty Chemicals. During his 35-year business career, he led a variety of companies and, since retiring in 2015, has served as an advisor in mergers and acquisitions.
A strong believer in Catholic education, Don has served on the Catholic Education Foundation Board since 2015. He and his wife, Mae, are parishioners of Our Lady of Peace and have been married for 45 years. Their three children—DJ, Joe, and Annie—attended Our Lady of Peace School, where they received an academic and faith-filled foundation that prepared them for future success and fostered lifelong friendships.
Don also enjoyed coaching each of his children, particularly through the football program he and a group of fathers helped establish. He believes the program strengthened the school community and helped build confidence that has remained with its players well into adulthood.
Frank Jurmann
Cathedral of St. Raymond
Frank J. Jurmann is a retired financial advisor and a parishioner at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus. A graduate of Lewis University, Frank spent 32 years helping clients plan for their financial futures.
He has served on the Catholic Education Foundation Board of Directors for 11 years and is a strong advocate for ensuring that every child who desires a Catholic education has the opportunity to receive one. In retirement, Frank has answered the call to bring others to serve Jesus Christ and to follow God’s will with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
His commitment to Catholic education is also reflected in his family. Frank and his wife have two children, both graduates of Catholic grade schools and high schools, and six grandchildren who attend Catholic or Christian schools. Through his board service, Frank continues to advance faith-filled education for families throughout the Diocese of Joliet.
Bob Malpasuto
St. Patrick, Momence
Bob Malpasuto is the retired chief financial officer of American Utility Management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from California State University, Northridge, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California. His professional experience supports his work in leadership, financial stewardship, and strategic planning.
A ninth-year member of the Catholic Education Foundation Board, Bob believes Catholic education is among the greatest gifts families can give their children, forming their minds, hearts, and faith. He is committed to helping make that opportunity accessible to more families throughout the diocese.
Bob has served both Bishop McNamara Catholic School and his parish communities through numerous boards and committees, including leadership roles in finance, strategic planning, school regionalization and capital campaigns. He and his wife, Sandy, have been married for 36 years and have two sons, Jack and Mike. Bob is a parishioner of St. Patrick in Momence.
John McCann
St. Isaac Jogues, Hinsdale
John McCann is Director of Construction and Engineering at AT&T and a parishioner at St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale. He attended St. Alexander Catholic School in Palos Heights and has a deep appreciation for the lasting influence of Catholic education. John and his wife, Jennifer have been married for 27 years and share a strong commitment to God and their community. Their son attended Catholic schools from grade school through college, giving the family firsthand experience with the academic and spiritual formation Catholic education provides.
John was honored to join the Catholic Education Foundation Board at the invitation of a good friend and at a time in his life when he felt called to give back to God and to the Catholic schools he values so deeply. Through his Board involvement, John hopes to help make Catholic education available and accessible to as many students and families as possible.
Dawn Vaubel
St. Patrick, Kankakee
Dawn Vaubel is president of Baron-Huot Oil Company, a woman-owned certified company that has served the Kankakee area since 1911. As the fourth generation of her family to lead the business, she carries forward a longstanding tradition of leadership and community involvement.
Dawn attended St. Patrick Grade School in Kankakee and Bishop McNamara Catholic High School, where the fifth generation of her family is now enrolled.
Dawn serves on the Catholic Education Foundation Board because she believes every family that desires a Catholic education for their children should have that opportunity. She values the strong, faith-filled foundation Catholic schools provide. A parishioner of St. Patrick in Kankakee, Dawn also serves on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet. In her free time, she enjoys golf and working out.
Erik Van Someren
St. Raphael, Naperville
Bio Coming Soon
Andy Pignataro
St. James the Apostle
Bio Coming Soon
Ed Burjek
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Darien
Bio Coming Soon
Keep Catholic education within reach
Catholic schools are stronger when families have the opportunity to choose them. Together, we can help more students receive a faith-filled education and build a brighter future for Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Joliet.
Stewarding resources for
Catholic education
The Catholic Education Foundation cultivates and directs resources to help make Catholic education possible for families in need and strengthen Catholic schools for generations to come.