About GRACE
Leadership
GRACE President Kimberly Desotell
Mrs. Kimberly Desotell began her role as GRACE President in July 2015. She brings a wealth of experience in education and leadership as well as a deep commitment to the Catholic faith.
Mrs. Desotell served as the Director of Development at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay before joining GRACE. Her background in education includes experience as a grade school teacher, principal, technology and training specialist, consultant and administrator.
She holds a Master of Science from Cardinal Stritch University in Administration and Instructional Leadership. Her undergraduate degree is from St. Mary’s College-Notre Dame, Ind., where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a minor in Biology.
The Desotell family lives in Allouez and is active at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Green Bay. Mrs. Desotell and her husband, Tim, have three children.
Community Leadership/Notable
- Featured on SiriusXM radio’s “Conversation with Cardinal Dolan” and re-aired on the Catholic Faith Network, June 2021
- Featured in the Wall Street Journal, June 10, 2021
- Green Bay Achieve Brown County Board Member, current
- Greater Green Bay Chamber Partners in Education Board Member, current
- Walk to Mary Green Bay Board Member, current
- Graduate, St. Norbert College Center for Exceptional Leadership, Spring 2020
- ERC Training, Organizational Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Fall 2020
- Testified before the State of Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Education, June 24, 2020 (LINK – Kim’s presentation begins at the 2 hour, 56 minute mark)
- Adaptive Leadership Session, “Leading During COVID,” September 28, 2020
- Presenter at Diocese of Green Bay Virtual Leadership Conference, “Leading to Succeed,” November 30, 2020
Accomplishments at GRACE
- 6 years of Catholic school system enrollment growth
- Assisted to initiate a GRACE Strategic Plan
- Leadership with CatholicLink, an innovative partnership to advance Catholic education in the greater Green Bay area
- Led growth of GRACE school system with opening of St. John Paul II Classical School in August 2015 and Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical School in August 2021
GRACE Leadership Team
GRACE President Kimberly Desotell and the principals / headmasters at each school form the GRACE Leadership Team, which meets regularly to collaborate and coordinate programming at GRACE schools. The Leadership Team reviews policies, creates the common school calendar, develops the staff professional development program and advises the President on matters common to the GRACE schools.
Board of Directors
Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay serves as the chair of the GRACE Board of Directors. Meetings are held twice per year, in the spring and fall.
- 2022-23 GRACE Board of Directors
- Meeting Schedule – fall and spring during the academic year
- Meeting Minutes
Board of Trustees
The GRACE Board of Trustees provides ongoing governance of the GRACE school system under the direction of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Trustees meets every other month during the school year, and it oversees five committees (which are listed in the sections below). These committees are comprised of trustees and members-at-large to provide leadership and support to the many facets of GRACE’s mission and vision.
- 2022-23 GRACE Board of Trustees and Committee Members
- Meeting Schedule – every other month, August through June
- Meeting Minutes
Catholic Identity Committee
This committee is dedicated to assuring integration of Catholic faith and practices within all curriculum content and co-curricular areas. The committee serves GRACE schools by way of offering leadership and support to the Key Focus Area of FAITH as outlined in the GRACE Strategic Plan.
Education Committee
This committee is committed to assuring quality educational programs based upon standards, benchmarks and grade-level expectations. Members focus on educational decisions, curriculum, policy and protocols related to learning, instruction and teacher quality. The Education Committee serves GRACE schools by way of offering leadership and support to the Key Focus Areas of ACADEMICS and EXPERIENCE as outlined in the GRACE Strategic Plan.
Facilities Committee
This committee works to foster relationships between school and parish sites in order to achieve common goals involving safety, appearance and functionality, in order to provide and enhance an inviting, quality, faith-filled teaching and learning environment. This committee has been formed through the ongoing Actions Plans involved in the GRACE Strategic Plan, specifically in relation to the Key Focus Area of VITALITY.
Finance Committee
This committee is committed to establishing a budget that is as efficient and effective as possible in consideration of tuition, parish subsidy and third-source funding. Current goals and work of this committee involve the Key Focus Area of VITALITY as outlined in the GRACE Strategic Plan.
Human Resources Committee
This committee establishes and maintains procedures to attract, develop and retain qualified employees and volunteers for the school system. The committee also establishes and maintains personnel policies and procedures such as those related to compensation, benefits, compliance and personnel development. The committee serves GRACE schools by way of offering leadership and support to the Key Focus Areas of EXPERIENCE and VITALITY as outlined in the GRACE Strategic Plan.
