Leadership Roundtable began 20 years ago with a bold vision: The Catholic Church could restore the trust lost through abuse and leadership failures by establishing a foundation of best practices and institutionalizing change to ensure the transparency and accountability required to thrive. Our founders envisioned leveraging the vast lay leadership and expertise within the Church to help build a co-responsible leadership culture to drive recovery and renewal.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we take this important moment to recognize the tremendous efforts and celebrate the progress made towards recovery over the past two decades, particularly when it comes to addressing the immediate causes of the abuse scandal that rocked the Church.
The first American pope in history has just been elected in Rome, so it will be no surprise we see this also as a moment filled with opportunity as we consider our strategic direction over the next 20 years. Leadership Roundtable will begin to shift our focus from recovery to the unfinished business of renewal to seize this opportunity. Our goal is to help the mission of evangelization and support a vibrant Catholic Church. We can see there is enormous work yet to be done to make strides in fostering a leadership culture best equipped to maintain and gain even broader community trust. Embedding best practices that strengthen the managerial, financial, and operational foundation into Church structures that support our faith, our communities, and our Church ministries is key to achieving this goal.
Every institution needs strong leadership to thrive, and the Catholic Church is no exception. Our founders recognized 20 years ago that supporting the leaders within our Church institutions would help bring healing to our beloved Church in crisis. They imagined how a co-responsible, transparent, and accountable leadership culture would have the power to restore trust and revitalize parish communities. They saw this would allow us to live our faith most fully and would provide for continued support for Church ministries that are critical to the fabric of our society. We remain deeply committed to leveraging lay expertise to strengthen our Church as an institution, and furthering our founders’ vision.
Sincerely,
JOSEPH REGAN ELIZABETH MCCAUL KATHLEEN PORTER-MAGEE
The Catholic Church is a powerful force for good in our world, but its ability to bring hope to millions of people in need depends upon the strength of its institutions and those who lead them. Leadership Roundtable does not exist to merely serve the Church, rather, we envision a Church supported by strong leaders, effective operations, and a clear vision.
For 20 years, Leadership Roundtable has engaged lay, ordained, and religious leaders to unite around a common vision for recovery and renewal. Together, we work to seed, initiate, and institutionalize changes aimed at strengthening institutions and supporting our faith, our communities, and our ministries.
2 Years 2005 - 2025
Leadership Roundtable has become known in the Catholic Church as the organization that can galvanize our “network of networks” to gather diverse, result-focused Catholic leaders and subject-matter experts around any challenge or opportunity facing the Church. Since before our founding, we have convened leaders, driving problem-solving and idea-incubation around major Church challenges.
Leaders rapidly respond to support the Archdiocese of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina 100 100
Lay and clergy leaders convene in the wake of the “Spotlight” revelations of widespread sexual abuse to address building an accountable, transparent, and co-responsible Church culture
Bishops’ Conference on Financial Crisis convenes to address the significant impact of the Great Recession on Church finances 2009
Leadership Roundtable founded
Diverse education thought-leaders gather to address the problems facing Catholic schools 2011 100 2004
Catholic investors come together to seed The Drexel Fund and invest in new Catholic schools to stem enrollment decline
Philanthropists gather with key Church leaders to address cultivating Hispanic leadership and philanthropy in response to the V Encuentro 2005 100 2015
2 Years
2019
Presidents of Catholic universities convene to discuss the twin crises in higher education
2021
Financial experts and Church leaders convene to address the ongoing financial crisis in the Church and create the Coalition for Ethical Financial Management in the Church
National Catholic leaders begin gathering quarterly to learn and model synodal leadership during the multi-year Synod on Synodality
2024
2018
Top Church leaders convene in the wake of the PA Grand Jury Report release to discuss the twin crises facing the Church: abuse and leadership failure
2020
Top Catholic nonprofit leaders convene in rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic to address funding shortfalls and increased demand for social services
Educational leaders convene to address sustainable and innovative funding models for Catholic schools amid the pandemic
Bishops convene with education leaders and philanthropists to address the sustainability of Catholic schools and a national-level solution 2023 100
Top Church leaders convene with 75 young adults to discuss their leadership and the future of the Church in the U.S.
2025
100
Seeding Change
Listening, Responding, and
Leading with Vision
When Leadership Roundtable formed 20 years ago, we envisioned the creation of a true partnership—a roundtable—that brought together lay, ordained, and religious leaders who were animated by their faith to support the institutional Church at a moment of crisis.
By working in partnership with lay experts and Church leaders who have the positional authority to drive change, Leadership Roundtable has built a reputation as a convener who can bridge polarized divides and unite leaders around a common vision.
“
I am delighted in the gift that Leadership Roundtable makes available in the collation and promotion of best practices in so many areas of [the] Church.”
Archbishop Emeritus Alfred Hughes
ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS
Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
In 2006, we partnered with the Archdiocese of New Orleans to help restore and strengthen the Catholic school system in New Orleans following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Together, we helped New Orleans’ Catholic schools reopen sooner and educate even more students in the aftermath of the devastating storm.
100 8 teachers recruited out of the ACE program at Notre Dame
100 Catholic schools opened 1 full year before the public school system
100 $16 million raised
COVID-19 Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced a global shutdown in 2020, Catholic parishes and nonprofits encountered greater demand for food, shelter, and other social services. Our convening power allowed us to quickly connect leaders of major U.S.-based Catholic social service agencies, facilitating their collaboration to maximize resources, learn from one another, and share ideas. Together, we helped spearhead a social media campaign, #CatholicCares, to highlight the work and service of the Church during the pandemic. We also leveraged our connections with Catholic philanthropic entities to launch a midyear iGiveCatholic campaign that raised emergency funding for parishes facing a precipitous decline in collections due to limits on in-person Mass.
2 Years 2005 - 2025
“
Through their trainings and services, Leadership Roundtable is dedicated to promoting a positive culture shift in the management and leadership of Catholic institutions so they may better serve the people they reach. ...their approach to enhancing the managerial and leadership practices of an entire community, service provider, or diocese is transformative and lasting.”
Barbara Anne Cusack CHANCELLOR, ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE
2 Years
PRIESTS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE
BARBARA ANNE CUSACK
DR. KATHLEEN MCCHESNEY AND KATE O’BRIEN
JIM LUNDHOLM-EADES
OF MILWAUKEE
Initiating Change
Through Innovation and Incubation
An institution is only as strong as those who lead it.
Since our founding, we have supported leaders across the U.S., notably serving as an incubator of ideas and innovative solutions that respond to needed change in the Church.
ESTEEM
The disaffiliation of young adults from the Catholic Church has long been a pressing concern for Church leaders. In partnership with Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University, we created a leadership development program known as ESTEEM (Engaging Students to Enliven the Ecclesial Mission) to leverage the gifts of college-age young adults. ESTEEM supports, encourages, and affirms their baptismal call and helps them build a strong parish life through education, community, faith formation, and mentorship.
100
85% of alumni stay connected to a parish after graduation and attend Mass weekly
100
67% of alumni who attend Mass weekly are also deeply involved in parish life or leadership
In 2015, we worked with Catholic investors to incubate The Drexel Fund. The Drexel Fund is a venture philanthropy fund that invests and collaborates in the growth of high-quality, financially sustainable networks of faith-based and other private schools, primarily through seeding new schools in struggling areas.
100 Raised more than $50 million to date
100 Launched 73 new schools in 14 states
100 Created nearly
19,000 new seats
Today, more than 40 percent of U.S. Catholics are Hispanic/Latino, yet they remain vastly under-represented in Church leadership. During the V Encuentro process, the Hispanic/Latino Catholic community asked for greater leadership formation opportunities to support their work in disproportionately challenged parishes and ministries, where limited resources, racial injustice, and poverty often make pastoral leadership more challenging. In response, we engaged an advisory committee of influential Hispanic Catholics and, with their guidance, developed a first-of-its-kind program, specifically aimed at supporting the growth and leadership development of Hispanic/Latino Catholic leaders. Our Latino Pastoral Leaders Initiative launched in 2021 and has provided in-depth formation to more than 100 leaders in four dioceses
2 Years 2005 - 2025
DANIEL COBREIRO
CARDINAL SEÁN
DR. CAROLYN WOO
O’MALLEY, OFM CAP., PETER LYNCH, AND GEOFFREY BOISI
KERRY ROBINSON AND THOMAS HEALEY
GEOFFREY BOISI, BISHOP DALE MELCZEK, AND FR. J. DONALD MONAN, SJ
“
Leadership Roundtable is a gift to the Church by building the professional and administrative capacity of [its] institutions. The results are vibrant ministries that serve with efficiency and accountability, and communities that deepen and pass on faith for effective evangelization.”
Dr. Carolyn Woo AUTHOR AND PAST PRESIDENT & CEO OF CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
2 Years 2005 - 2025
Institutionalizing Change
by Supporting Dioceses and Leaders
Change must not just start, it must stick. Leadership Roundtable works with change-making leaders to codify best practices into policy so that change is sustained and its impact endures beyond leadership transitions.
Mission Management
Charting a course of recovery and renewal requires a longterm strategy and vision. Our Mission Management Model was designed to support dioceses at every step of a multi-year process, from assessment of their current operations to implementation and evaluation of widespread, systemic changes.
Toolbox for Pastoral Management
Since our founding, Leadership Roundtable has supported leaders by providing direct training and by developing resources that provide leaders with the vision and support they need to support their communities and drive change. In 2024, we expanded our foundational Toolbox for Pastoral Management, releasing two new Toolbox books —“A Seminarian’s Toolbox” and “La Caja de Herrimentas para Líderes Pastorales.”
Synodal Leadership
Leadership Roundtable collaborated with Discerning Leadership Program, Catholic Leadership Institute, and Leadership Conference of Women Religious to create a groundbreaking Synodal Leadership Formation course. In 2023, our organizations piloted the six-session course, which blended experiential learning with prayerful reflection and synodal methods—listening and collective discernment—to immerse participants in the essence of synodality.
Nuevo Momento
Boston College recently launched “Nuevo Momento: Leadership and Capacity Building for Ministerial Organizations Serving Hispanic Catholics.” With $15 million in funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. over five years, Nuevo Momento is supporting 14 Catholic Hispanic ministry organizations in strengthening their organizational capacity and enhancing financial sustainability. Leadership Roundtable is a key partner in this initiative, offering expertise, mentorship, and guidance to the leaders involved in Nuevo Momento, as well as collaborating with Boston College to conduct organizational assessments, develop and deliver content, and produce internal benchmark reports. 2
Pioneering Practices
Through Partnerships
Partnership is the path by which we can affect change at scale. By utilizing proven partnership frameworks, and by creating practical resources that help leaders chart a course for change, we build consensus around the problems that persist in the Church, and a vision for change while equipping leaders with the knowledge and skills to drive change in their institutions.
Building Bridges
Our intentionally nonpartisan approach has uniquely allowed us to promote the cultural changes in the Church that can unite Catholics around a common vision. In December 2024, we convened the Building Bridges National Gathering in Chicago, where a diverse, intergenerational group of leaders from across the U.S. engaged in a synodal process centered on how to overcome divisions within the Church. Conversations also explored the importance of intercultural competency, active listening, greater diversity in leadership teams.
“
For me, this was not just professional, it was a spiritual experience. Jesus was the first bridge builder, uniting heaven and earth in that moment on the cross. My love for Jesus—Jesus on the cross—is what sustains me and my work in ministry.”
Matteo Pota, CEO OF FOCOLARE MEDIA
PETER DENIO
The Catholic Partnership Summit
Our 2024 Catholic Partnership Summit united leaders around the need for the Church to rethink how it approaches young adults, elevating a common vision to see young adults not as a problem to be solved, but a community seeking belonging and understanding. Leaders recognized the need to first understand the realities facing young adults today, then to identify pathways to welcome young adults into faith life and leadership, and finally support their ongoing formation and service by utilizing listening and other synodal practices.
75 young adults
275 Summit participants
100
100 11 Cardinals & Bishops
70 persons of color
100
Practical Resources for Leaders
100
140 women (50%)
In addition to our convenings, a critical way we seeded the need for changes in the Church is through ongoing publishing of bilingual (English and Spanish) national thought leadership that elevates and sparks conversation around important topics. In 2024, we refreshed our monthly newsletter to center lessons from our team and our partners as we work together to build a thriving Catholic Church. Additionally, we’ve launched a new series of practical guides for leaders called “Roundtable Resources.” These offer leaders in the field practical ways to refine their vision and support their work to strengthen their institutions in a resource-
2
Years
MATTHEW KRESICH, RUDY DEHANEY, CECILIA FLORES, FR. RAFAEL CAPO, AND MAR MUÑOZ-VISOSO
SR. NATHALIE BECQUART, XMCJ, DAVID SPOTANSKI, JOE COTTON, AND DR. BRIAN REYNOLDS
REV. MONSIGNOR KENNETH VELO, GERALD BEESON, AND SUSAN KING
BISHOP ARTURO CEPEDA AND DR. CRAIG FORD
2024 Catholic Partnership Summit Sponsors
Presenting
Geoffrey T. Boisi
Kenneth C. Griffin, Citadel, and Citadel Securities
Elizabeth McCaul and Frank Ingrassia
Peggy and Gene McQuade
Joseph Regan
Benefactor
Dan and Kathleen Denihan
Patron
B J Cassin Family
Dee and Kevin Conway
Kevin Fee
Tom and Meg Healey
Edward D. Herlihy
The Lynch Foundation
Partnership Schools
Jim and Molly Perry
Catholic Leader
Anonymous
The Carney Family Charitable Foundation
Richard Czaja
The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States
The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities
Gabriela Smith and the Crimsonbridge Foundation
Dr. Peter and Peggy Steinfels
Partner
Kevin K. Carton
Changing Our World
The Dagher Family
Frank and Janet DellaFera
Dominican Sisters of Peace
Eric and Keri Carlstrom Family Foundation
Fairfield University
Mario J. Gabelli
ParishSOFT by Ministry Brands
Robert W. Postma
Pushpay
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology
Brian and Patricia Shea
Individual
America Media
Archdiocese of Louisville
Association of U.S. Catholic Priests
Rev. John P. Beal, III
Big Shoulders Fund
Burnett Risk Control International, LLC
Catholic Climate Covenant
The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage
Susan and Mike King
Kinsale Consulting
Kevin McLaughlin
2
“
There
is much to do, but as we move forward in our journey of excellence, we are confident that we will have the support of services we need through our association with the Leadership Roundtable.”
Archbishop Emeritus Roger Schwietz, OMI
Looking ahead
In the 20 years since our founding, the Catholic Church has focused heavily on recovering from the abuse and leadership failures that severed trust and drove many from the Church. Measurable progress has been made in terms of recovery, and today—every diocese in the country has adopted policies that protect the vulnerable and that demand transparency and accountability for wrongdoing, helping drop the number of new allegations to near zero.
Leadership Roundtable was founded to help drive not only recovery, but also renewal. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary and highlight the progress that’s been made, we turn our focus on making a renewed case for institutionalized change that will bring lasting, systemic renewal. Ultimately, our goal is to work in partnership with lay, ordained, and religious leaders to spark a nationwide movement to leverage leadership and management best practices in support of the mission and ministries of the Church. We understand that change of that scale must be built from the top-down and from the bottom-up, advanced by both those in leadership positions and those working on the ground in parishes and ministries. To that end, we are working with our partners in this effort to understand the ongoing needs in the Church, to help seed and share a vision for change, to support leaders to initiate change in their dioceses and ministries, and to identify where the ground is fertile and ready for lasting, institutionalized reform.
Expenses Income
1 4516 38+ V 1 4516 38
INCOME $ 4,240,000
EXPENSES $ 3,600,000
111753 19+ 11V 191753
2005 - 2025
CRISLER QUICK, LESLIE C. QUICK III, NANCY QUICK GIBSON, GEOFFREY BOISI, PETER QUICK, AND CRAIG GIBSON
KERRY ROBINSON AND SR. MARY FRANCES TAYMANS, SND
BISHOP ARTURO CEPEDA AND CARDINAL CHRISTOPHE PIERRE
DARRIN NELSON AND KEVIN MCLAUGHLIN
KIM SMOLIK AND CARDINAL TIMOTHY DOLAN
Board of Directors
Elizabeth McCaul Co-Chair of the Board
Rev. John Beal
Kevin K. Carton*
Daniel Denihan
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) James M. Dubik
Kevin J. Dwyer*
Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, SJ
Robert Gasser
Joseph Donald Regan Co-Chair of the Board
Bryan F. Grane
Thomas J. Healey*
Rev. J. Bryan Hehir
Susan King
Christina Lamas
Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI
Kevin McLaughlin
Gene McQuade
Geoffrey T. Boisi Founder
The Hon. Michael Montelongo
Jim Perry
Paul C. Reilly
Brian B. Reynolds
British A. Robinson
Kerry Alys Robinson
Rev. John J. Wall
*term concluded in 2024
KEVIN MCLAUGHLIN, REV. JOHN BEAL, GEOFFREY BOISI, SUSAN KING, JOSEPH REGAN, CHRISTINA LAMAS, KERRY ROBINSON, SR. TERESA MAYA, CCVI, REV. MICHAEL J. GARANZINI, SJ, DR. BRIAN REYNOLDS, AND JIM PERRY
2024 Partners in Mission
Organizations
The Alphadyne Foundation
Boisi Family Foundation
The Conway Family Charitable Fund
The Crimsonbridge Group
Crimsonbridge Foundation
Elizabeth & Frank Ingrassia Foundation
Healey Family Foundation
Heffernan Family Foundation
Jack and Lillian Poses Foundation
Individuals
Rev. John P. Beal, III
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Beeson
Mr. Kevin K. Carton
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Denihan
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) James M. Dubik and Ms. Sharon Basso
Mr. Kevin J. Dwyer
Mr. Kevin T. Fee
Mr. and Mrs. Philip and Alicia Hammarskjold
Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Mr. Paul K. Henderson
Ms. Ellen Kane
Mrs. Susan R. King
Ms. Christina Lamas
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth G. Langone
Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI
Mr. James McCarville
Mr. Richard C. McGinnis
The Honorable Michael Montelongo
Tribute Gifts
Mrs. Brittany Czekaj In Honor of Ms. Ellen Kane
Lilly Endowment Inc.
Mary J. Donnelly Foundation
Mary Quick Pedersen Family Charitable Fund
McQuade Family Foundation
Penates Foundation
The Raymond Crile Quick Foundation
Rob and Jacqueline Crisci Family Foundation
Thomas Quick Charitable Trust
Mr. Robert J. Morrissey, Esq
Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Murphy
Mr. and Mrs. S. Lawrence Prendergast
Mr. Christopher C. Quick
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie C. Quick, III
Mr. Joseph Regan
Dr. Brian B. Reynolds
Ms. British Robinson
Ms. Kerry A. Robinson and Dr. Michael Cappello
Mr. and Mrs. Peter S. and Ann Robinson
Ms. Nicole Sotelo
Dr. and Mrs. Peter Steinfels
Deacon Patrick Stokely
Mr. Dominic Tarantino
Rev. Donald Thimm
Rev. John J. Wall
Rev. Robert Wolfee
Thank you to our generous supporters!
Mr. Daniel Girardot In Memory of Dr. Peter and Rosemary Girardot
Mrs. Jenna McAndrew In Memory of Fr. Martin Cioppi
Dr. Kathleen L. McChesney In Honor of Mr. Geoffrey T. Boisi
Mr. Patrick A. McClain In Honor of Ms. Kerry A. Robinson
Rev. Anthony J. Pogorelc, PSS, M.Div., S.T.L., Ph.D. In Memory of Rev. Robert Beloin
Mr. William Porter In Memory of The Parents of William and Joan Porter
Ms. Kathleen Porter-Magee In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Joan Porter
Ms. Kathleen Quirk In Memory of Lieutenant Commander Mary Capitola Daggett
Mr. Paul G. Tierney In Memory of Rev. Michael Sullivan
Join Our Mission
We are at a critical point in the history of the Catholic Church.
The Synod on Synodality final report called for building a more co-responsible, accountable, and transparent Church. For 20 years, Leadership Roundtable has established the credibility, coalition-building and deep expertise needed to support the leaders answering this call, working to strengthen and restore trust in our institutional Church. Investment in our mission directly supports these leaders and the ongoing work to revitalize the Church in the U.S.
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SR. TERESA MAYA, CCVI, MARY NOVAK, BETTY ANNE DONNELLY, AND KIM SMOLIK
