Catholic Charities Leadership
Meet the Team
Permanent Ex-Officio Board Members
Bishop Donald J. Hying
5th Bishop of Madison
The youngest of six sons, Bishop Donald Joseph Hying was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, to parents Albert and Catherine Hying on August 18, 1963. He attended St. Aloysius and Immaculate Heart of Mary grade schools, and Brookfield Central High School. Bishop Hying received his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and his master’s degree from St. Francis Seminary.
On November 24, 2014, His Holiness, Pope Francis, appointed Bishop Hying as the Fourth Bishop of Gary (Indiana). Bishop Hying’s installation in the Diocese of Gary took place on January 6, 2015. On April 25, 2019, His Holiness, Pope Francis, appointed Most Reverend Donald J. Hying the Fifth Bishop of Madison (Wisconsin). Bishop Hying’s installation in the Diocese of Madison took place on June 25, 2019.
Fr. Tait Schroeder
Vicar General – Diocese of Madison
Fr. Tait Schroeder is the vicar general of the Diocese of Madison. He grew up in the Sauk City area and attended Holy Name Seminary in Madison, graduating in 1994. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minn., and was ordained a priest on May 24, 2002, after studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He later returned to finish a degree in sacramental theology. Fr. Schroeder served as a parochial vicar at St. Maria Goretti and St. Dennis parishes in Madison, and later as pastor in Ridgeway and Barneveld. He earned a doctorate in canon law in 2012 and served as the Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of Madison from 2013-2018, while also pastoring St. Peter’s in Ashton and St. Martin’s in Martinsville from 2015-2018. He then worked at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome and was called back by Bishop Hying to lead the implementation of the Diocese’ “Into the Deep” Strategic Plan.
MICHAEL WICK
Director of Mission – Diocese of Madison
Michael Wick serves as the Director of Mission for the Diocese of Madison and previously served as the chief of staff, a role he began in the summer of 2022. He came to Madison from the Diocese of Gary, where he served as chief of staff for the past five years. He also previously served as executive director and director of operations with the Institute on Religious Life.
Shawn Carney
Executive Director – Catholic Charities of Madison
Shawn Carney was appointed Executive Director of Catholic Charities Madison 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 had also served on the Catholic Charities board and has been an advisor to several non-profit boards in the Madison and Rockford communities during his career.
Board of Directors
Officers
- Patrick Flesch, Chair
- Megan McDermott, Vice Chair
- John Feller, Secretary
- MaryJo Steeber-Higgins, Treasurer
Directors
- Tina Ahedo
- Richard "Dick" Bennett
- Fr. Thomas Kelley
- Rosario "Rosie" Perez
- Kyle Schwarm
- Michele Trewitt
- Paul Wrycha
Leadership Team
Shawn Carney
Executive Director of Catholic Charities
Kelly Medenwaldt
Executive Director of Programs
Claudia Becker
Chief Financial Officer
CHRISTINA bEAN
Director of Human Resources
Sandra Lampman
Director of Mission Effectiveness
James Debilzen
Director of Communications and Catholic Identity
CATHERINE BROCK
Director of Families PROGRAMS
Cricket Hesselberg
Director of Aging Services and Day Programs
Carly Sobye
Director of Homeless Services
We are grateful for the volunteers and for the financial support of donors and our Diocese, which enables Catholic Charities of Madison to perform our many ministries.
