Leadership Conference

Philip Brach brings over 20 years of Catholic advancement leadership to Partners in Mission, having raised more than $500 million for Catholic education. A former Mobil Oil executive, he pairs corporate rigor with deep commitment to the Church.

Kim Dunne is an Advancement professional with 17 years of experience at Catholic elementary and high schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama. Drawing on that experience,  she partners with Catholic schools nationwide to strengthen fundraising programs, inspire generosity, and help school leaders achieve transformational results.

Lauren Fredette brings over two decades of leadership experience in Catholic and independent schools and Catholic organizations, with a focus on advancement strategy and execution, enrollment growth, and institutional planning. In addition to working directly with our partner schools and organizations, she helps guide the firm’s work with schools and dioceses across the country, drawing on her background in both frontline fundraising and executive leadership.

Chris Hagerty brings his entrepreneurial spirit and development skills to Partners in Mission as a Senior Partner. He has also served as President, Director of Strategic Initiatives, and Director of Advancement at Cathedral Preparatory School, Villa Maria Academy, and Mother Teresa Academy in Erie, PA, where he raised over $100 million during his tenure. Chris specializes in major gifts, feasibility studies, and capital campaigns.

Mike has served in Catholic education since 1981 as a classroom teacher, coach, administrator, and school president. He is also an adjunct instructor at St. Louis University, where he teaches a graduate course in Catholic school finance and financial accounting. 
Mike has a wide array and depth of experience in school leadership. His greatest strengths are developing a mission-driven culture, fundraising/advancement, enrollment management, strategic planning, and board formation. 

Greg Markiton offers his unwavering dedication, proven growth strategies, and 20+ years of experience in advancement, admissions, marketing, and alumni relations to Partners in Mission. He joined Partners in Mission full-time after a successful 19-year career as the Director of Advancement at Benedictine Military School, a Catholic, Benedictine all-boys college preparatory high school. 

Steven Picciano is a Senior Partner at Partners in Mission, where he helps Catholic leaders advance the institutions shaping the future of the Church. Over the past decade, he has helped Catholic institutions secure more than $500 million in philanthropic support.

An accomplished school and association leader, Kyle Pietrantonio brings a strong, entrepreneurial experience to Partners in Mission as a Senior Partner in the Search Solutions practice. Kyle has worked with Catholic schools around the country and world and brings a depth of experience from his own education, which includes Georgetown University, the University of Notre Dame, and The Catholic University of America. 

Andy is the current President of Santa Margarita Catholic High School.  Since 2014, Andy has restructured the administrative team and created several new positions to optimize the community. He also revamped the school's annual fund program and the main fundraisers, which now average a yearly profit exceeding $2 million. He led his team on capital projects and campus improvements totaling over $12 million, including academic enhancements, student life, performing arts, and athletics.

Katie Thiemann brings her passion for excellent, accessible Catholic education and her advancement skills to Partners in Mission as a Senior Partner. Katie recently retired from a 20-year career at Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis, MO, where she led the Advancement and Leadership team to raise $45 million, and increased their Endowment from $2 million to $12 million.