Catholic Schools Office Staff
Our dedicated staff members are a major factor in the success of the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic Schools and its many students. Our people have been drawn to the Diocesan family because they wish to support excellence in education. We know that our team makes a tremendous difference to our students, so we make sure they are well-equipped and supported in carrying out that critical role.
Donna Bishop, Ed.S. — Superintendent of Schools, dbishop@dmdiocese.org
The superintendent of schools assists the Bishop in all matters that pertain to his educational/formational ministry in Catholic schools. The superintendent consults with the bishop and the chancellor on matters affecting the Catholic identity, policies and regulations, and personnel of the schools. In addition, the superintendent upholds the accreditation standards for all the schools from the Iowa Department of Education, serves as the executive officer of the Diocesan Catholic Schools Board, is the liaison between the board and the local schools and confers with the diocesan attorney on legal matters. The superintendent provides service to school administrators, school pastors and local boards of education/school boards.
Anne Franklin, Ph.D. — Director of Professional Development, afranklin@dmdiocese.org
The director of professional development coordinates efforts across the diocese to build highly effective school administrators and classroom teachers through collaborative planning, professional development, coaching, alignment of curriculum and assessment practices, data analysis to inform best practices, and the development of systemic responses to academic and behavior needs for all students.
Denise Mulcahy, M.S.E. — Director of Teaching and Learning, dmulcahy@dmdiocese.org
The director of teaching and learning leads all efforts at K-12 school improvement. These efforts include overseeing the training and implementation of all required federal- and state-mandated educational programs. In addition, the director leads diocesan-wide initiatives, as well as assists principals in making local curricular and instructional decisions. School improvement includes standards-driven education, assessment, instruction and professional development, data collection, analysis, and management. The director of teaching and learning assists the schools and their personnel with a variety of special programs, including various professional and religious development programs.
Jake Shama, B.A. — Director of Marketing and Enrollment Management, jshama@dmdiocese.org
The director of marketing and enrollment management works with the superintendent of schools on all aspects of enrollment management, marketing, communications and community engagement priorities. This position provides leadership and coordination for a comprehensive enrollment management strategy with all schools in the diocese.
Nicole Castillo Waller, B.A.— Director of Multicultural Programming, nwaller@dmdiocese.org
The Director of Multicultural Programming serves as advocate for multicultural students and parents by supporting enrollment and marketing initiatives as well as managing the diocesan English Language Learner program in our Catholic schools. This position coordinates with the superintendent of schools, school administrators, teachers of English Language Learners, as well as area public school partners and education agencies.
Meet Our School Administrators
We are blessed with some of the best school administrators in Catholic education!
- Christ the King — Susan Battani, Administrator
- Dowling Catholic —Dr. Dan Ryan, President
- Dowling Catholic — Matt Meendering, Administrator
- Dowling Catholic — Dr. Erica Arnold, Assistant Administrator (Academics)
- Dowling Catholic — Tyler Miklo, Assistant Administrator (Student Life)
- Holy Family — Paulette Neuhalfen-Theisen, Administrator
- Holy Trinity — Monica Morrison, Administrator
- Holy Trinity — Bailey VanVors, Assistant Administrator
- Sacred Heart — Scott Ehlinger, Administrator
- Sacred Heart — Megan Lone, Assistant Administrator
- Shelby County Catholic — Steve Sauvain, Administrator
- Saint Albert — Pat Ryan, Chief Administrative Officer
- Saint Albert — Doreen Knuth, Administrator (Middle/High School)
- Saint Albert — Holly DeRocher, Administrator (Elementary)
- St. Anthony — Jennifer Raes, Administrator
- St. Anthony — Melissa Iloabachie, Assistant Administrator
- St. Augustin — Kristel Spike, Administrator
- St. Francis of Assisi — Jeff Lynch, Administrator
- St. Francis of Assisi — Jodi Halligan, Assistant Administrator
- St. Luke the Evangelist — Misty Hade, Administrator
- St. Luke the Evangelist — Sara Hazel, Assistant Administrator
- St. Joseph — Becky Beneke, Administrator
- St. Malachy — Jennifer Simmons, Administrator
- St. Patrick — Dr. Kandice Pattillo, Administrator
- St. Pius X — Alex Baranosky, Administrator
- St. Pius X — Jordan Blackburn, Assistant Administrator
- St. Theresa — Gretchen Watznauer, Administrator