Page 6 - eCrusader-Chronicles_Fall2017

Donna with
Archbishop
Listecki at her
Installation
Mass on
August 17,
2017.

Scott, Alan,
Donna, and
Lindsay
Bembenek, and
Lindsay’s fiancé,
Mark Bednar

MRS. DONNA BEMBENEK

Catholic Memorial President

Donna Bembenek, Catholic Memorial High sees herself as proof of that.
School’s new president, never took her own
Catholic education for granted. She attended “I understand that parents prioritize their child’s
Messmer High School, thanks in large part to the education and often forego other things when
contributions from strangers who helped her they send their children to Catholic Memorial,”
family cover tuition costs. she says. “When you think in terms of value versus
cost, the benefit is undeniable. Students arrive to
“I always considered my Catholic education a gift high school barely teenagers – just 13 or 14. They
that my parents and donors made possible,” she leave as adults. The four years of high school are
says, adding that her husband, Alan, attended the most formative. It is a time when children are
Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay. “Catholic beginning to spend more time away from their
education has always been important to both of parents and are making some important decisions.
us. We would go to church together before going At Catholic Memorial they are able to do that in a
out on Saturday night.” A Catholic education is a safe environment where faculty, staff and other
gift Donna and Alan passed onto their children, parents are there to support one another. We
Lindsay ‘07 and Scott ‘13. provide exceptional preparation in both the
academic and spiritual aspects of life while also
Today, Donna brings to CMH a strong background focusing on character development.”
in collaboration, leadership, fundraising, financial
development, corporate branding and public Donna says, “We must foster a place where all feel
relations. welcomed and wanted. At Catholic Memorial, we
meet students where they are with a rigor
She officially succeeded Fr. Paul Hartmann ’84 appropriate for each to ensure they achieve their
upon her installation by Archbishop Jerome God-given potential.”
Listecki during the All-school Mass on the first day
of classes of the 2017-18 academic year. Donna, We have an opportunity to invite alumni to help
55, previously served as Vice President of create a campaign that will focus on post-
Marketing and Communication for the YMCA of graduation success stories, illustrating ways in
the USA, working at the organization’s national which CMH prepares students for the rest of their
headquarters in Chicago. Prior to Y USA, she lives.
worked for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee,
State Financial Services Corporation and Sundance “It’s really important for alumni to stay connected
Broadcasting. and let us know what they’re doing,” she says.
“Alumni are an example of the value of the school.
“Alumni are an example of the value of the school.“ To showcase our alumni and what they have
accomplished is the perfect demonstration of
what CMH can do for other students.”
Donna says her role at CMH is to grow the school. Graduates create lifelong networks, and there’s no
To that end, Donna intends to boost CMH’s better place to do that than at Catholic Memorial
branding and marketing efforts, and to reach out High School.
to potential donors to help ensure families who
value a faith-based education have access to one.
Donna knows firsthand how donors can change a
6 6 life by supporting a child’s Catholic education. She Articles by Michael Popke ‘86