Catholic Charities Leadership
Meet the Team
Executive Team
Brian McDaniel
Executive Director
Brian McDaniel became Executive Director of Catholic Charities in October 2026. He comes to us from the American Red Cross of Illinois, where he led the Illinois River Valley chapter, serving 1.1 million people across five counties, and later directed services for military members, veterans, and their families. His work there included casework alongside individuals and families in some of the hardest moments of their lives. Earlier, he served as Deputy Treasurer and Chief Investment Officer of Will County, Illinois. Brian has a degree in economics and a master’s degree in accountancy from Benedictine University. He has been an Oblate of St. Benedict for 20 years. He is committed to being present in all eleven counties of the Diocese of Madison.
Shawn Carney
Shawn Carney served as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Madison from May 2021 through September 2026 and is supporting Executive Director Brian McDaniel in a transitional role through December 2026. Before joining Catholic Charities of Madison, he spent a decade leading RSM’s Wisconsin accounting, tax, and consulting practice, growing it to four offices and 160 employees. He previously served on the Catholic Charities of Madison Board of Directors and has advised several nonprofit boards in the Madison and Rockford communities.
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.
Ashlyn Mehlhaff
Director of Mission Effectiveness
CHRISTINA BEAN
Director of Human Resources
Geoff McCloskey
Director of Finance
Operations Leadership
Kelly Medenwaldt
Chief Program Officer
Cathy Brock
Director of Programs
Cricket Hesselberg
Director of Programs
Board of Directors
Officers
- Megan McDermott, Chair
- John Feller, Vice Chair
- Paul Wrycha, Secretary
- MaryJo Steeber-Higgins, Treasurer
- Patrick Flesch, Immediate Past Chair
Directors
- Tina Ahedo
- Richard Bennett
- Sarah Kuemmel
- Rocio Munoz
- Mike Jacques
- Rosario Perez
- Vicky Thelen
- Michele Trewitt
- Fr. Michael Wanta
Ex-Officio Members
- Bishop Donald Hying - Bishop, Diocese of Madison
- Fr. Tait Schroeder - Vicar General, Diocese of Madison
- Brian McDaniel - 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.
