Catholic Charities Leadership
Meet the Team
Executive Team
Shawn Carney
Executive Director
Shawn Carney was appointed Executive Director of Catholic Charities in May 2021. For the previous decade, he led the RSM Wisconsin accounting, tax, and consulting practice of four offices and 160 employees through tremendous growth. Carney also served on the Catholic Charities board and advised several non-profit boards in the Madison and Rockford communities throughout his career.
Kelly Medenwaldt
Chief Program Officer
Kelly Medenwaldt brings over two decades of commitment to Catholic Charities, having served in diverse roles since 1997 before joining the Executive Team in 2019. Her experience across a variety of our programs has given her firsthand insight into how deeply our mission positively impacts the lives of those we serve, their families, and the wider communities in which we work.

CHRISTINA bEAN
Director of Human Resources

Claudia Becker
Director of Finance

Sandra Lampman
Director of Mission Effectiveness

Joshua Minden
Director of Marketing & Communications
Program Leadership Team

Ashlyn Mehlhaff
Director of Development

Cricket Hesselberg
Director of Programs

Catherine Brock
Director of Programs

Mary Haberman-Laesch
Program Manager of 5 Door Recovery

Judi Hoang
Program Manager – Parish Social Ministries

Melissa Kelley
Program Manager – Parish Social Ministries

Becky Klapper
Program Manager of Community Living

Nichole Kraemer
Program Manager of Adult Day Center

Joel Schenk
Program Manager of Community Connections

Carly Sobye
Manager of Homeless Services - The Beacon


Board of Directors
Officers
- Megan McDermott, Chair
- John Feller, Vice Chair
- Kyle Schwarm, Secretary
- MaryJo Steeber-Higgins, Treasurer
- Patrick Flesch, Immediate Past Chair
Directors
- Tina Ahedo
- Richard Bennett
- Mike Jacques
- Rosario Perez
- Vicky Thelen
- Michele Trewitt
- Paul Wrycha
- Fr. Michael Wanta
Ex-Officio Members
- Bishop Donald Hying - Bishop, Diocese of Madison
- Fr. Tait Schroeder - Vicar General, Diocese of Madison
- Shawn Carney - Executive Director, Catholic Charities
We are grateful for the generosity of our volunteers and donors, whose support makes it possible for Catholic Charities to carry out our many ministries.