The Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Advisory Council (ACSAC), its establishment recommended by the Catholic Schools Commission, is advisory to the Archbishop and provides guidance and support to the Office of Catholic Schools. This collaborative body promotes the advancement of excellence in Catholic schools and supports a culture of ongoing renewal and greater sustainability within Catholic schools throughout this Archdiocese. The ACSAC provides vision and recommendations in the implementation of archdiocesan best practices related to academic excellence, governance, advancement and financial policies and practice. The ACSAC, working with the Office of Catholic Schools, will continue to draw on the expertise of educators who work every day in our schools and are closest to the critical issues in our classrooms and our communities.

Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Advisory Council Members:

Amy Goldman

Executive Director, GHR Foundation; currently serves on the boards of the University of St. Thomas, St. Thomas Academy, Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research and the Better Way Foundation

Fr. Daniel Griffith

University of St. Thomas School of Law faculty member; pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Minneapolis; former pastor of St. Edward in Bloomington and St. Peter in North St. Paul

Andrea J. Lee, IHM

President, St. Catherine University, teaming with Brian J. Bruess, Ph.D., who serves as the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at St. Catherine University; father of two children attending Catholic schools in the Archdiocese

Sheila Letscher

Retired attorney; mother of four; community volunteer; former Catholic elementary school board member and chair; previously held senior position at UnitedHealth Group

John McMahon

Chair of ACSAC; Director of Federal Tax Services, Ernst & Young; serves on national board of the Jeremiah Program

Shannon Nelson

Community volunteer; former Catholic School teacher; mother of three; current member of Advancement and Marketing Committees at Holy Spirit School; previously served on board of Visitation School

Karen Rauenhorst

Trustee, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; community volunteer; served on boards of Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Community Foundation, Catholic Charities, St. Catherine University and others

Tim Scallen

Partner at Oppenheimer Wolff and Donnelly; graduate of Annunciation elementary school in Minneapolis; father of four children who attended Catholic school

Barbara Shaw

Executive Vice President Corporate Human Resources of TCF Bank; Chair of the Board of Vail Place, community volunteer; serves on Advisory Board of the Stonier School of Banking

Ex Officio:

The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt

Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis

The Very Reverend Peter A. Laird

Vicar General, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis; previously co-chaired Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Task Force; former vice rector St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity