Theology of Gift Conference

Optional morning golf outing (location to be determined)

6:30-8:30 PM – Welcome Reception and “Big Game” Watch Party, sponsored by the Gary Tharaldson School of Business

• Mary College at ASU
  230 East University Drive
  Tempe, AZ 85281
  All other events are at the Diocese of Phoenix

7:30 AM – Breakfast 

• Diocese of Phoenix
  400 East Monroe Street
  Phoenix, AZ 85004

8:15 AM – Welcome and Introduction, Peter de Keratry, Institute for Catholic Philanthropy 

8:45 AM – Charity vs. Philanthropy, Andrew Robison, Petrus Development

9:45 AM – Break

10:00 AM – Begin with the End in Mind: Building a Philanthropic Process Leading to Legacy Gifts, Scott Whitaker, Diocese of Austin

11:00 AM – Presentation, Jamie Cappetta, West Coast FOCUS Catholic

12:00 PM – Mass at Basilica of Saint Mary

12:45 PM – Lunch at Diocesan Center, sponsored by Prenger Solutions Group

2:00 PM – Presentation, Cory Howat, Catholic Community Foundation of New Orleans

3:15 PM – Break

3:30 PM – Artificial Intelligence, Nic Prenger, Prenger Solutions Group

5:00 PM – Reception at Huss Brewing, sponsored by Orange Catholic Foundation

• Huss Brewing
  1520 West Mineral Road
  Suite 102
  Tempe, AZ 85283

7:30 AM – Continental Breakfast 

• Diocese of Phoenix
  400 East Monroe Street
  Phoenix, AZ 85004

8:15 AM – Annual Appeals: More Than We Given Them Credit For, Brian Niebrugge, Archdiocese of Saint Louis

9:30 AM – Public Speaking, Eva Rose Daniel, The Speak Shop, sponsored by Petrus Development

10:30 AM – Break

10:45 AM – Imagining Abundance, Kerry Robinson, Catholic Charities USA

12:00 PM – Mass at Basilica of Saint Mary

12:45 PM – Lunch at Diocesan Center, sponsored by AmPhil

2:00 PM – Keynote Address, Monsignor James P. Shea, University of Mary

3:15 PM – Break (possible Nazareth Seminary visit)

4:00 PM – The CEO and Development Director Relationship, Candelario (Cande) de León III and guest, Saint Vincent de Paul of Phoenix

Evening dinner on your own.

7:30 AM – Continental Breakfast 

• Diocese of Phoenix
  400 East Monroe Street
  Phoenix, AZ 85004

8:15 AM – Presentation, Chris Kuetemeyer or Jeremy Beer, AmPhil

9:30 AM – Exploring the Donor Relationship, Anthony Vultaggio and guest, Orange Catholic Foundation

10:45 AM – Stewardship Relationships, Monsignor Roger Landry, Pontifical Mission Societies USA

12:00 PM – Mass at Basilica of Saint Mary

Peter de Keratry is the chief development officer for Catholic Diocese of Arlington, VA, and program coordinator for the Institute for Catholic Philanthropy at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. His three decades of experience in Catholic philanthropy and development make him an invaluable resource to Catholic organizations and mission-driven professionals seeking to develop the skills needed to advance the kingdom of God in a tangible way. He holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Texas A&M University and his master’s in philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Andrew Robison is the owner and president of Petrus Development, a Texas-based consulting firm helping Catholic and other faith-based non-profits achieve transformational, sustainable fundraising success. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the University of Mary’s Institute for Catholic Philanthropy and is chief executive and founder of the Catholic podcast production company Back Row Media. He has 20 years of experience in development and holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas A&M University and a master’s in philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Scott Whitaker is the secretariat director for stewardship and development and executive director for the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Austin, TX. A proven fundraising professional with more than 25 years of experience with higher education and faith-based organizations, he is also a dedicated volunteer, serving on a wide range of boards and committees tied to his passions for fundraising, the faith, and his alma mater. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree from Iowa State University. He and his wife Kathryn live in Austin, TX, with their six children.

Jamie Cappetta is regional vice president of mission development for West Coast FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, in Los Angeles, CA. His 20 years of development experience in higher education and faith-based organizations, as well as eight years as a campus minister, uniquely qualifies him for his role with FOCUS as well as advising ministry organizations seeking fundraising support. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Richmond, a master’s in ministry from St. John’s Seminary, and a master’s in philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Cory Howat is the executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation of New Orleans, as well as president of #iGiveCatholic and Aspiring Scholars Louisiana, and an adjunct faculty member of the University of Mary’s Institute for Catholic Philanthropy. With 15 years of experience in fundraising for Catholic and other charitable organizations and more than decade of experience as a business and non-profit leader, he brings a diverse background to the challenges of faith-based fundraising. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mississippi State University and a master’s in philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Nic Prenger is the founder and chief executive officer of Prenger Solutions Group, along with AskGenius, AutomateGenius, and Catholic Social Media. Based in Omaha, NE, Prenger Solutions has used its technological solutions and expertise to help more than 100 Catholic dioceses and other clients get the most from their fundraising and communications efforts. Nic has a law background, working as a legal clerk and deputy county attorney before beginning his fundraising career as a capital campaign consultant with Steier Group in 2006, then founding Prenger Solutions in 2018. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Creighton University and a juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Brian Niebrugge is the executive director of stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in Missouri. He has worked for the archdiocese for nearly 25 years, leading a wide range of initiatives from outreach projects to capital campaigns, and his expertise in strategic communications, community engagement, and volunteer management has contributed significantly to their success. He serves on the National Advisory Board for #iGiveCatholic and holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and music business from Fontbonne University.

Eva Rose Daniel is a professional speaking coach and owner of The Speak Shop in Nashville, TN. After nearly 15 years in radio, she served as senior speechwriter for renowned personal finance speaker Dave Ramsey and his team of personalities until launching her own business in 2022. Today she coaches executives, leaders, and professional speakers, helping them craft and deliver speeches that capture audiences with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Hillsdale College.

Kerry Robinson is currently the president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities USA. For 18 years, she served Leadership Roundtable as its founding executive director, global ambassador, and executive director of the Opus Prize Foundation. She has been a trustee of more than 25 national and international foundations and nonprofits; she is an award-winning author and editor, a successful fundraiser, and a frequent writer and speaker on topics of philanthropy and faith. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and theology from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in ethics from Yale University and is the recipient of the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame as well as 10 honorary doctorates. She and her husband, Dr. Michael Cappello, have two children.

Monsignor James P. Shea was inaugurated in 2009 as the sixth president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, succeeding Sister Thomas Welder, OSB, who had served as president for 31 years. He grew up on a dairy farm near Hazelton, ND; earned a bachelor's degree and a licentiate in philosophy as a Basselin Fellow in the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and later studied theology at the Gregorian and Lateran universities in Rome. Upon completion of his seminary formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Bismarck in 2002, serving as a teacher, chaplain, assistant pastor, and pastor at parishes and Catholic schools in the diocese.

Candelario (Cande) de León III has served as chief mission engagement officer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix, AZ, for the past two years. He has dedicated 17 years of his career to Catholic mission advancement, including leadership roles for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, TX; the Diocese of Phoenix, AZ; and the National Eucharistic Congress. He has also worked as a non-profit management consultant and a business manager and served four years with the US Marine Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi; a master of arts in theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary; and a master of business administration degree from the University of Arkansas, Grantham.

Chris Kuetemeyer is partner and chief executive officer for AmPhil, a national, non-profit advancement consulting firm located in Denver, CO, where he has worked for the past six years. Prior to that, he spent 18 years with FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, first as a campus staff member and team director, then in advancement roles including senior director of development operations and vice president for annual giving. He also co-owns an allergy-free baking company and served for 10 years with the Army National Guard, earning the rank of first lieutenant. He is a guest instructor with the Institute for Catholic Philanthropy at the University of Mary, has served on multiple board for Catholic and educational organizations, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing focus from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Anthony Vultaggio serves as charitable strategy officer for the Orange Catholic Foundation in the Diocese of Orange, CA. Prior to moving into philanthropy, he worked in financial services, insurance, business development, and sales, for companies including Merrill Lynch, Penn Mutual, and HealthEssentials, LLC. He is a nationally syndicated talk radio show host, a published author, and an engaging speaker, and he volunteers with the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission for the Diocese of Orange and on the pastoral council, finance council, and liturgy board for his local parish. He holds a bachelor of science in philosophy from the University of California, Riverside.

Monsignor Roger J. Landry, is priest of the Diocese of Fall River, MA, and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. He is also a papal appointee to the Missionaries of Mercy, chaplain to the New York Chapter of the Leonine Forum, and a member of the Board of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs in Auriesville, NY. A graduate of Harvard College and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he served as attaché to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, Catholic chaplain at Columbia University, and ecclesiastical assistant to Aid to the Church in Need USA, as well as a parish pastor, newspaper editor, and high school chaplain in the Diocese of Fall River. He writes for many publications; appears regularly on television, radio, and podcasts; and is the author of Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God.