Catholic Charities

Hope starts with you

Inside our 2025 Annual Report, you will see stories that reflect the heart of our mission: walking alongside individuals and families with dignity, respect and care. Each story is a testament to what happens when compassion is paired with action.

"We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you for your incredible work in helping us make the annual report happen. Your effort all year round, teamwork, and dedication don’t go unnoticed, and we truly couldn’t create this piece without you." — The Advancement Team

Meet Our New Staff!🤩

Grace joined WAO as a Therapist in September 2025. She recently graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Master of Science in Educational Psychology, concentrating in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Grace also holds a BA in Psychology with a minor in Counseling. She completed a year-long internship at Mount Mary’s Counseling and Wellness Center in August, where she gained experience working with a diverse adult population and supporting campus initiatives focused on destigmatizing mental health.  Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with her partner, painting, being outdoors, cooking, listening to music, and discovering new places, sights and foods.

Carey brings over 20 years of experience in providing and managing community based mental health services and case management in the non-profit world. She attended St. Olaf College for undergrad and the George Washington University for graduate school. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and trained Art Therapist, with specialization in treating trauma and working with very young children, children and adolescents. Over the last decade Carey has served in supervisory and leadership roles providing clinical support and helping programs grow through innovation and strategic program development. She and her husband live in West Bend and their two adult children are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. She enjoys traveling near and far, a good beach vacation, and spending as much time with family as she can manage. Outside of that, Carey enjoys reading, trying new recipes, baking, and gardening.

Lizbeth started as our Legal Pro-Bono Coordinator at RIS in December 2025. She brings over three years of marketing and communications experience to Catholic Charities. She graduated from Alverno College in December with a bachelor's degree in business administration.  What Lizbeth enjoys most about working at Catholic Charities is the organization’s strong commitment to serving the community. She loves knowing that the work she does helps others and makes a meaningful impact. Outside of work, Lizbeth enjoys trying new recipes, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Mark joined Catholic Charities as our Accounting Manager at CAO in November 2025.  He brings more than 30 years of accounting experience, with a career focused primarily in the manufacturing and insurance industries.  A lifelong Wisconsin resident, Mark graduated from Carthage College, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Economics. He and his wife Lynnet live in Racine with their three dogs, Kasper, Mara, and Oliver. Their daughter, Chloe, is currently attending UW-Madison, and weekend visits to Madison are a regular part of family life.  Outside of work, Mark enjoys taking in local car shows with his 1949 Chevrolet, grilling, and spending time outdoors, especially during Wisconsin’s summer months.

Liz started as our Director of Community Mental Health in December of 2025. She brings with her over 16 years of experience in the field. Liz graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with her bachelor's degree in psychology and then earned her master's degree in clinical psychology from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. Liz has worked in a variety of settings and levels of care including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization and inpatient units as well as traditional outpatient treatment. Prior to joining Catholic Charities, Liz worked as a Clinical Supervisor and Trainer. In that role she provided supervision and direction to licensed, in-training, and intern therapists. She also led their trainings related to trauma sensitive schools. As a trainer, she provided education to school staff from around the world on how to support students who have had traumatic experiences. In other roles, Liz assisted in creating new programs including Intensive Outpatient Programs for children, adolescents and adults, providing staff training in de-escalation and restraint, suicide assessment and treatment, and motivational interviewing, and monitoring quality assurance initiatives. Liz specializes in working with clients who are struggling with suicidal ideation, non-suicidal self-injury, and trauma and dissociation. Liz grew up in rural southwestern Wisconsin and has lived in the Milwaukee area since 2008. Liz is married and has three children aged 15, 13, and 2.  She also has a houseful of pets with 2 dogs, a frog, a lizard, a guinea pig, and a fish. Life with three kids, and their various pets, keeps her busy but in her free time she enjoys being outside hiking, running, and working in her garden. She also loves crafts including crocheting and sewing. Liz says " I am excited to join the team at Catholic Charities. The mission of serving those who might not otherwise be able to receive services is very close to my heart. I believe all people deserve to feel truly seen and valued and look forward to continuing to work with a team who believes the same." 

Matthew started as Parish Relations Coordinator at CAO in December 2025. He comes to Catholic Charities from the hospitality and service industry, tending bar at the County Clare Irish Inn and Pub, and working the oyster bar at St. Paul’s Fish Market. Earlier in his journey, Matt deepened his commitment to community through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps serving as a patient advocate at a community health center and a case manager for families at a homeless shelter in San Diego. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in biology from UW-Madison and a master’s degree of nonprofit management from Notre Dame. In his free time, Matt enjoys all things sports, reading, traveling, and singing Irish folk music. Matthew got married last August to his wife, Ann.

Emily joined CAO as Volunteer Coordinator in December 2025. She brings over 16 years of experience to Catholic Charities, with a background in volunteer coordination across Milwaukee, Utah and California. Her works spans from film organizations and local nonprofits, where she has supported volunteers in a variety of roles and settings. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Emily earned a degree in Film Photography from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and an associate’s degree in environmental science from MATC. She is excited to work alongside volunteers and team in support of the organization’s mission. Outside of work, she teaches prenatal yoga, hikes with her husband, and is actively involved in the local arts community. Emily spends as much time outdoors as possible – unless she is at a theater watching a film. As a Master Naturalist and herbalist, she loves guiding hikes and educating others about Wisconsin’s lands and native species. She is happy to be a part of the Catholic Charities community.

Save the Date 📅

Spring All-Staff Meeting

We can't wait to see you!

Benefit for Hope

"In appreciation for your service, all staff are warmly invited to attend at no cost. This inaugural evening will be a chance to gather, celebrate our shared impact, and enjoy time together as a community. I hope you’ll plan to join us." — Paul Eberle, President & CEO

Keep an eye out for an email from Colleen with registration details!

Special Moments & Partnerships 🫂

Bishop Jim Schuerman distributes ashes at the Adult Day Center on Ash Wednesday