The Changing Dynamics: Your Role as President and Chief Fundraiser at a Catholic High School

Date: July 20 – 21, 2023 · Time: July 20, 8 am through July 21, 12 pm central time Location: Naperville, IL

Catholic high school presidents come to their role from varying backgrounds: Principal, development officer, business leader or higher education or not-for- profit organization executive. For most new presidents or presidents moving to a new school community, there is a learning curve to this new role that must be addressed to allow presidents to fully engage as the leader of the school’s educational community of faith. In addition, there is a greater expectation than ever before that leaders of Catholic high schools will play a central role in fundraising for their institution, which can be unfamiliar to many professionals new to this work. Even those who come from a development background are now approaching the work from a new perspective.

Join the Gonser Gerber Institute for this workshop that will examine your role as fundraiser, leader and visionary for your Catholic high school, whether your title is president, head of school or principal. Our program is a blend of best-practice, experiential presentations from Dan Meixner, president and CEO of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School, and M. Jane Eaves, Partner, Gonser Gerber LLP, as well as the opportunity to learn from your peers and share how your experiences have helped shape your institution. Together, we will discuss the reading A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen, beginning each day with a devotional, and ultimately offer you the tools you need, through conversation and guidance, to be the president needed for your school to thrive in today’s educational environment.

Registration and Hotel Information:

This Gonser Gerber Institute workshop cost $995 per registration and $895 for each additional registration from the same institution. Current clients of Gonser Gerber can register for $795. We will be hosting this program in the offices of Gonser Gerber in Naperville, Illinois. Our fee includes a binder of materials, lunch, snacks and beverages. Attendance is limited to 10 people.

For those of you who are traveling, there are several hotel options available that are within walking distance to our workshop. Check out this Resource Document for a list of your options and rates.

Presented by:

Dan Meixner is the president and CEO of Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School where he has served nearly 20 years. In his role, he is responsible for working closely with the Board of Trustees, representatives of the Marianists and Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and teachers, parents, and alumni to advance the mission of the school through careful stewardship of financial, educational, and community resources. Dan graduated from the University of Notre Dame, BA Government and International Studies and the University of Dayton, M.S.Ed. Educational Leadership, and is also a third-generation alumnus of his school.

Jane Eaves, Gonser Gerber partner, provides comprehensive consulting services to a large number of Catholic high schools, religious orders and Catholic organizations throughout the United States. An active speaker and lecturer with more than 30 years of development experience, Ms. Eaves has spoken on topics such as major gifts, emerging trends in annual giving, development planning, and planned giving, and consults with colleges, universities, independent schools, major university alumni associations, health care institutions, and cultural organizations. She has a B.A. from The University of the South in History. Her professional experience prior to joining Gonser Gerber includes The University of the South, The Catholic University of America, Darlington School, and Sheridan School.