Foundation Turns a New Leaf in 2025

There is a new energy reshaping the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota. We are pleased to welcome two new team members to our organization! Hear from our current team and meet our new team members here: 

Our New Executive Director

 

Elizabeth Williams is a Southern Minnesota native, raised in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. She shared, "As the daughter of a dairy farmer and social worker, I learned from an early age how following your purpose in your professional life makes work so much more meaningful and hopefully pretty enjoyable too! I bring to this Executive Director role 15 years of experience in marketing, sales and operations for Fortune 500 brands, B2B technology companies and staffing agencies, the likes of AT&T, Dell and DuPont Pioneer among others. 

I value hard work, accountability and integrity and get geeky about using data to improve everything we do. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share the skills and experiences I have gained in the corporate space with the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota - bringing me back to my roots and a purposeful mission."  

Elizabeth resides in Faribault, MN with her husband and three young children. In her spare time, you’ll find her chasing kids to soccer games and Girl Scouts, working with her husband and extended family on their real estate investment business, or reading a good book in the shade on a sunny day.  

You can reach her at ewilliams@catholicfsmn.org or 507-218-4095 if you’d like to talk about planned giving, parish-listening programs, capital campaigns or fundraising. 

Welcome, Elizabeth! 

Our New Marketing and Communications Associate 

 

Nicole Weninger was raised in the Dioceses of La Crosse and is like fresh spring air to the Foundation. Nicole is a shared resource between the Catholic Foundation and Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary. She comes to us with a breadth of experience, having previously designed, marketed and fully operated youth programs for the YMCA of the North in Rochester! Nicole received her bachelor's from SMU in Studio Art and Literature. Some of her fondest memories from SMU are of getting to know seminarians in her art and philosophy classes. “I’m very excited to be back and working with this particular group of men again--truly some of the funniest and most talented men I've had the pleasure of getting to know,” Nicole shared. 

So far, Nicole is most proud of her and the team’s work on the annual Bishop’s and Rector Dinner. See full article here on the event’s success. 

Nicole commented, "I'm excited to be working for an organization that can help me to explore my passion for marketing while also deepening my faith. I've had a blast meeting the priests throughout the diocese and seminarians at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, and I look forward to learning how I can best serve the Diocese of Winona-Rochester."  

If you want a good laugh, ask Nicole about her family divided – Wisconsin versus Minnesota sports. You can reach her at nweninger@catholicfsmn.org or 507-828-1275 if you have questions about the Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance grant program or if you’d like to talk about IHMS. 

Welcome, Nicole! 

 

The Existing Foundation Team You Know & Trust 

A new leaf has been turned the Catholic Foundation. Take it from those who know:  

"I am very excited about the future of the Foundation with the team we have now. As Elizabeth has been gaining her footing, she has brought us a renewed sense of momentum and a surplus of new ideas and goals. Ideas that will only benefit our office and, by extension, all the organizations and people we work to support. Nicole has proven herself to be hardworking, creative and endlessly collaborative, which has been a true blessing. Any organization would be lucky to have them, but I’m glad they chose CFSM. I look forward to working with them both as we strive to serve the people of our Diocese.” - Morgan Lowney, CFSM Development Specialist

 

 

We all have one mission in mind and that is to support each other and to help where it is needed.  We pride ourselves on our quality of work and the ability to help others.   With Elizabeth Williams, our new Executive Director, and Nicole Weninger, as our new marketing associate, we feel the Foundation can continue to grow and provide additional resources to our diocese and our parish families. Elizabeth and Nicole will truly be assets to the Foundation,” - Kelly Hoffman, CFSM Controller.