WHEN: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 & Thursday, May 29, 2025 | 8 AM – 5 PM Webinar Offerings
WHERE: Zoom
WHO: All individuals involved and interested in advancing Catholic schools, both within and outside of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, is welcome to attend.
WHAT: The virtual Catholic School Advancement conference consists of 2 days of webinars on a range of advancement topics. Webinars are 50 minutes in length.
COST: ArchKCK school and parish staff and volunteers – FREE
Non-Arch KCK / Other – $40 per school or parish. $35 per school or parish if registering before April 15th.
More Information Coming Soon!
Communications is the art of building relationships with the various constituencies of your school (parents, alumni, grandparents, friends, parishioners, etc). It all begins with understanding the concept of Branding and how it plays a role in building sustainable bridges to those whose support we seek.
Presenter: Chris Hagerty, Senior Partner at Partners in Mission.
Before entering the advancement profession, Chris was the Founder, President and General Manager of Heart Broadcasting (WEYZ and WFLP radio stations).
Upon the successful operation and sale of these radio properties, Chris returned to his alma mater in hopes of lending his sales and marketing abilities to lead the school’s advancement program. In his role as Director of Advancement at Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria, the Annual Fund grew from $120,000 to over $1,500,000 (while tripling alumni participation), and tripling the Cathedral Prep and Villa Scholarship Fund to over $850,000 per year. Chris also implemented and executed four multi-million dollar capital campaigns, “Share The Vision”, which raised $3,200,000 exceeding the goal of $3,000,000, “Transforming Lives”, which raised $20,100,000 exceeding the goal of $18,200,000, and “Vision 2020” a $12,000,000 campaign that raised $14,200,000, and “Called to Lead” a $48,500,00 campaign that raised over $50,000,000. Chris personally solicited 7 seven-figure gifts, including gifts of $5,500,000, $10,000,000, $25,000,000 which represents the largest gift ever received by Cathedral Prep and Villa Maria.
In addition to helping improve the financial condition of Prep and Villa, Chris worked with the President in repositioning and re-messaging the school’s internal and external communications, including an overhaul of the school’s website, marketing, and public relations.
If you’re wearing multiple hats and feeling stretched thin, but you know your school needs stronger marketing and communication—this session is for you! Discover creative, cost-free ways to make your school more competitive, engage new families, and strengthen your brand with the resources you already have. I’ve been in your shoes, and I’ll share practical, time-saving strategies to help you focus on what truly moves the needle. You don’t need a big budget—just a smart plan!
Presenter: Tracy Smith, Enrollment Management Specialist at Facts
Tracy Smith is passionate about enrollment management and dedicated to supporting those responsible for admissions and enrollment. With a master’s degree in Christian Education, certification from the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP), and over a decade of experience in private school admissions, she understands the essential components of effective Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Communication. Now in her fourth year with FACTS, Tracy provides professional development, strategic training, and best-practice methodologies to hundreds of schools. Her presentations are engaging, practical, and rooted in real-world solutions. Tracy calls San Antonio, TX, home, where she and her husband enjoy visits with their two grown daughters and delight in their role as grandparents to two little ones who call her Gigi.
Almost everything in a school revolves around student enrollment. Increasing or stable enrollment provides so many more opportunities than when enrollment is decreasing. And because families have more and more learning options to choose from, it is critical to think both about recruiting AND retaining students. In this session, you will learn action steps that will help retain your current students along with a few ideas for recruiting new students.
Presenter: Bob Noyed, Vice President at CESO Communications
Bob Noyed, APR, has more than 35 years of experience working in school districts as a strategic communications professional. Prior to joining CESO Communications, he served as the director of communications for several Minneapolis-area school districts. Along with his district experience, Bob served as 2006-2007 president of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and as North Central Region Vice President from 1999-2002. He has also served two terms as the president of the Minnesota School Public Relations Association (MinnSPRA). He continues to be active in both organizations. Bob was the 2005 recipient of NSPRA’s Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award and received NSPRA’s 2021 Presidents’ Award. He is the author of several school communication-related materials and is a frequent presenter for local, state and national conferences.
Meet other attendees, network, share your contact information, and more. This informal chat is an opportunity to meet others and build your professional network. You are welcome to eat your lunch during this time!
Most every organization knows that grants could be helpful for them, but they come with a lot of questions: How do grants really work for a Catholic School? How do we get started- or get to the next level? What do we need to be “grant ready?” Where do we look for opportunities?
Some think of grants as giant projects: 50 page, heavily researched, immense undertakings. Some think only big organizations get grants or that you have to “know somebody.”
This presentation will try to answer these questions in three main topic areas:
1. Why grants at all?
2. How do grants work, specifically for US, whatever size we might be?
3. Getting started and ready- or getting BETTER.
With any time left over, we’ll cover few pro tips and answer some questions.
Presenter: Thom Fox, Principal Consultant at Why Wise Fundraising
After 22 years in nonprofit and education sector, 17 of those in grants, Thom Fox remains both committed to and excited about the incredible potential of nonprofit organizations to improve their communities. Having made impact in areas as diverse as workforce development, special education, juvenile justice, housing and homelessness, foster care, mental health, immigration, and food systems, Thom always looks forward to the next challenge and new ways to help those in our communities live more productive and more fulfilling lives.
When he’s not obsessing over finding the competitive advantage in every single grant section or question, outcome data, or a budget line item, Thom loves cooking, Ozark hiking, camping, canoeing and playing music with his son in vibrant Kansas City, Missouri.
More information coming soon!
Presenter: Marissa Easter, Director of Communications at the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
We will explore dynamic strategies to help Catholic schools enhance their enrollment, strengthen community engagement, and promote spiritual growth. The presentation will highlight the importance of aligning marketing efforts with Catholic values, utilizing modern tools and approaches to connect with prospective families, and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community. By leveraging innovative marketing tactics, Catholic schools can build sustainable growth while staying true to their mission of faith-based education and service.
Presenter: Richard Fischer, Senior Sales Director at Our Sunday Visitor
Rich Fischer has fostered stewardship, fundraising, mission-focused education, and communication efforts for more than 16 years and is currently the Senior Sales Director for OSV. His focus has been investing his time infusing an ideology of mission-based abundance through Increased Offertory Programs, digital solutions, and Annual Funds with OSV. He has coordinated training and education for the sales, product development, and implementation teams at OSV on stewardship and fundraising. He began many of these mission-based efforts and stewardship education at the diocesan level including directing the Diocesan Annual Appeal, development efforts, communication efforts, and stewardship strategies in parishes and schools with his work as Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Burlington. He has served several terms on his parish finance council, school marketing committee, and school board and is completing his first year of studies for the diaconate.
More information coming soon!
More information coming soon!
More information coming soon!
Your fundraiser brought people together and created a lot of goodwill. Now it’s over. How do you keep supporters connected to your mission and maintain their excitement? When it’s not possible for them to see their impact firsthand, storytelling can fill the gap. We’ll talk about how to share impact stories with supporters – verbally, electronically and in print, using data, photos, videos, quotations from those you serve. With creativity and authenticity, you can show supporters how much they matter – long after the auction ends!
Presenter: Mary Esselman, CEO at Operation Breakthrough
As a 40-year veteran of urban education, Mary Esselman has a wealth of experience that comes from innovating in schools. Mary is in her 11th year as CEO of Operation Breakthrough and leads one of the largest early learning centers in the region which extends from cradle to career. She is continuing the Founders’ tradition of integrating education, social services and health with innovative programming in STEM to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach his/her full potential. Most recently she has spearheaded two capital expansions, which include a 66,000 sq. ft. renovation to include a MakerCity focused on STEM for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade and an 8000 sq. ft. workforce development and entrepreneurship program, The Ignition Lab, which serves over 400 urban teens in areas including 2D/3D modeling, green tech, computer tech, digital media and graphic design, automatic and engineering, mechatronics, etc.
Many schools treat admissions as a seasonal task, ramping up only during key enrollment months—but the truth is, successful enrollment management happens all year long. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling at the last minute or wondering why your numbers aren’t growing, this session will give you a clear roadmap. We’ll break down the essential tasks and key dates that should be on your calendar to help you attract, engage, and retain families year-round. Whether you’re new to admissions or looking for a better strategy, you’ll leave with a structured plan to set your school up for success in 2025-26.
Presenter: Tracy Smith, Enrollment Management Specialist at Facts
Tracy Smith is passionate about enrollment management and dedicated to supporting those responsible for admissions and enrollment. With a master’s degree in Christian Education, certification from the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP), and over a decade of experience in private school admissions, she understands the essential components of effective Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Communication. Now in her fourth year with FACTS, Tracy provides professional development, strategic training, and best-practice methodologies to hundreds of schools. Her presentations are engaging, practical, and rooted in real-world solutions. Tracy calls San Antonio, TX, home, where she and her husband enjoy visits with their two grown daughters and delight in their role as grandparents to two little ones who call her Gigi.
There are varying degrees to which people of Hispanic/Latino heritage retain elements of their culture while living in the U.S. In this session, you’ll explore five categories that illustrate how individuals navigate between two worlds —shaped by factors like country of origin, language use, and level of acculturation. This framework, called Hispanicity™, offers a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Latino students and their families, helping educators and community leaders build stronger relationships.
Presenter: Veronica Ulreich, Director of Client Services at Puente Marketing
I’ve been working in Hispanic Marketing for 15 years and have a background in business, marketing and hospitality. I have worked with clients across multiple industries like education, professional services, retailers, non-profit organizations, and more. Spanish is my first language but I’m fully bilingual/bicultural, originally from Ecuador. I’m passionate about bringing people together and helping brands and organizations connect with the Hispanic community.
Drop in and share what tools you use as part of your advancement efforts and learn what others are using! You are welcome to eat your lunch during this discussion time.
In today’s digital world, your school’s website is often the first impression for families—and a powerful tool for building trust and connection. But for busy school leaders, managing and improving a website can feel like one more thing you don’t have time for. Join us for a practical session designed to help school leaders and teams create websites that serve their communities well—without adding unnecessary complexity. We’ll cover tactics to make your content more accessible, user-friendly, and easy to navigate so families can quickly find the information they need. We’ll explore strategies to communicate more clearly, improve searchability, and ensure your site effectively meets the needs of prospective parents, current families, and community members. Walk away with actionable tips to enhance accessibility, boost readability, and strengthen your school’s online presence.
Presenter: Rachel Skinner, Integrated Marketing Specialist at CEL Marketing PR Design
Rachel Skinner is an Integrated Marketing Specialist with a meticulous, organized approach to content optimization and digital strategy. With expertise in website and content management, she excels at transforming platforms into seamless, user-friendly tools that drive engagement. Her background in international education gives her a unique global perspective on clear and accessible communication. Passionate about collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning, Rachel is dedicated to leveraging data-driven marketing and emerging technologies to enhance digital experiences. She thrives on breaking down complex concepts into actionable strategies that empower teams and clients alike.
We will discuss sustainable stewardship best practices that can be implemented at your parish or school including online giving, recurring giving, how to steward your donors and keep them coming back to support you year after year. A good stewardship program goes hand in hand with your events, annual fund, and any other fundraising initiatives so that you continue to see growth and success year after year in all your fundraising efforts. You will walk away with ideas you can put into work immediately as well as things to plan for and implement overtime.
Presenter: Lisa McKelvey, Director of Stewardship and Development at the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
Serving the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for the last year, Lisa has 9 years of Church fundraising experience including time at the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Diocese of Corpus Christi. She has served in a variety of other roles during her time in church fundraising including Annual Giving Director, Event planner, parish support, and working on the Capital Campaign for the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters Degree in Philanthropy and Development from St. Mary’s University of MN. She has held the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification since 2021. Her and her team’s work in diocesan fundraising has been recognized by the International Catholic Stewardship Council for excellence in Diocesan Wide Stewardship Initiatives, Capital Campaigns, and Annual Appeals. In her 9 years, she has helped raise over $120M in support of the Catholic church’s ministries.
We will explore dynamic strategies to help Catholic schools enhance their enrollment, strengthen community engagement, and promote spiritual growth. The presentation will highlight the importance of aligning marketing efforts with Catholic values, utilizing modern tools and approaches to connect with prospective families, and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community. By leveraging innovative marketing tactics, Catholic schools can build sustainable growth while staying true to their mission of faith-based education and service.
Presenter: Rich Fischer, Senior Sales Director at Our Sunday Visitor
Rich Fischer has fostered stewardship, fundraising, mission-focused education, and communication efforts for more than 16 years and is currently the Senior Sales Director for OSV. His focus has been investing his time infusing an ideology of mission-based abundance through Increased Offertory Programs, digital solutions, and Annual Funds with OSV. He has coordinated training and education for the sales, product development, and implementation teams at OSV on stewardship and fundraising. He began many of these mission-based efforts and stewardship education at the diocesan level including directing the Diocesan Annual Appeal, development efforts, communication efforts, and stewardship strategies in parishes and schools with his work as Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Burlington. He has served several terms on his parish finance council, school marketing committee, and school board and is completing his first year of studies for the diaconate.
More information coming soon!
More information coming soon!
Speakers: Amy Meara and Amy Brost from the Catholic Education Foundation
Advancement is the umbrella term for all things having to do with the promotion, continuation, and enhancement of an organization. For Catholic schools, advancement plays an essential role in ensuring the vitality and sustainability of a Catholic school.
The following are included in advancement:
No, the conference is open to school and parish personnel from any diocese. Anyone involved in the advancement of Catholic schools, whether an employee or volunteer, at a school or parish, is welcome to attend!
Anyone involved in the advancement of schools may attend. This may include, but is not limited to:
It is highly recommended to send a team of AT LEAST two (2) people to the conference to support implementation after the conference.
Session topics and descriptions are being finalized. Information will be posted in April.
Topics will cover all aspects of advancement, to include:
Access to webinars, presentation materials, and recordings are FREE for ArchKCK-affiliated school or parish personnel.
For non-ArchKCK personnel, the cost is $40 per school/parish (with unlimited number of attendees/users). Register before April 15th for a $5 discount.
Yes, registration is required. Click here to register.
Prior to the event, you will receive an email with links to each of the webinar offerings. You may pick and choose which webinars to attend.
