Education/Degrees

B.A. from St. Mary’s College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Science, M.S. from Cardinal Stritch University in Administration and Instructional Leadership, Graduate Coursework from UW Milwaukee

About Me

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 to this role. Mrs. Desotell is a product of Catholic education herself growing up in Illinois and attending Catholic schools. Serving as the leader of one of the largest private school system in the state of Wisconsin Mrs. Desotell shares, “Our mission of Catholic education has never been more important! We must work to forge relations and lead through faith as we tend to both the souls and the scholarship of our students served.”

Her extensive background in education includes experience as a grade school teacher, middle school principal, technology and training specialist, consultant and administrator. Prior to joining GRACE, Mrs. Desotell served as the Director of Development at UW-Green Bay.

Significant accomplishments during her tenure at GRACE include:

- Seven years of student enrollment growth
- Assisted to initiate the current GRACE Strategic Plan
- Leadership with CatholicLink, an innovative partnership to advance Catholic education in the greater Green Bay area through the partnership of GRACE, Notre Dame Academy and St. Norbert College
- Led the growth of GRACE school system with the opening of St. John Paul II Classical School in August 2015 and Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical School in August 2021
- Curriculum innovation and leadership to support a consistent and aligned K-8 curriculum taught with fidelity across GRACE
- Led through a pandemic to successfully maintain open doors for education and faith for students in our system
- Support of strong practices of fiscal management to ensure financial resources are stewarded with faith and intention
- Growth in GRACE teacher and employee salaries and wages year by year

Currently in the greater Green Bay area, Mrs. Desotell serves on the following leadership Boards:

- Achieve Brown County Board Member
- Walk to Mary Board Member
- Partners in Education Board Member GB Chamber
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Council Chair
- School Choice Wisconsin Action Board Member

The Desotell family lives in the Green Bay area and they are active members at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Green Bay. Mrs. Desotell and her husband have three grown children, all products of the GRACE System and Catholic education.

Her extensive background in education includes experience as a grade school teacher, middle school principal, technology and training specialist, consultant and administrator. Prior to joining GRACE, Mrs. Desotell served as the Director of Development at UW-Green Bay. Significant accomplishments during her tenure at GRACE include:

- Six years of student enrollment growth
- Assisted to initiate the current GRACE Strategic Plan
- Leadership with CatholicLink, an innovative partnership to advance Catholic education in the greater Green Bay area through the partnership of GRACE, Notre Dame Academy and St. Norbert College
- Led the growth of GRACE school system with the opening of St. John Paul II Classical School in August 2015 and Chesterton Academy of St. John Paul II Classical School in August 2021
- Curriculum innovation and leadership to support a consistent and aligned K-8 curriculum taught with fidelity across GRACE
- Led through a pandemic to successfully maintain open doors for education and faith for students in our system
- Support of strong practices of fiscal management to ensure financial resources are stewarded with faith and intention
- Growth in GRACE teacher and employee salaries and wages year by year

Currently in the greater Green Bay area, Mrs. Desotell serves on the following leadership Boards:

- Achieve Brown County Board Member
- Walk to Mary Board Member
- St. Norbert College Teacher Education Advisory Council
- Partners in Education Board Member Greater Green Bay Chamber
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Council Member
- School Choice Wisconsin Action Board Member

The Desotell family lives in Green Bay and is active at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Green Bay. Mrs. Desotell and her husband have three children all of which have attended and graduated from Catholic schools.