Board of Directors
Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt, Honorary Chair
The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt has been the Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis since May 2, 2008. Saint Paul’s Outreach is honored to have the support of Archbishop Nienstedt in our work of inviting young adults in this Archdiocese to a deeper relationship with Christ in the fullness of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Nienstedt... Read More
Reverend Peter Laird, President
Fr. Peter A. Laird serves the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He holds a law degree from the University of Wisconsin and Licentiate and Doctoral Degrees in Sacred Theology from the John Paul II Institute and Alphonsianum Academy at the Lateran University in Rome, Italy. He has served... Read More
Reverend Andrew Cozzens, Vice President
Father Andrew Cozzens currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Theology at The Saint Paul Seminary where he has taught since 2006. He received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in Rome, Italy. When he was studying for his BA at Benedictine College, he became involved with Saint Paul’s Outreach.... Read More
Reverend Kevin Finnegan, Vice President
Fr. Kevin Finnegan is the Pastor of Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault, Minnesota. Fr. Kevin is a founding member of the Board of Directors. He serves on the Program Committee. Read More →
Deacon Jim Meyer, Secretary/ Finance Chair
Deacon Jim Meyer is the Parish Life Coordinator at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. In addition to his work with Saint Paul’s Outreach, Deacon Meyer is a member of the Relevant Radio leadership council, a volunteer at Catholic Charities St. Anthony Residence and the former Police Chaplain for the City of Richfield. He holds a Masters... Read More
Gordon DeMarais, Founder & Executive Director
Gordon C. DeMarais has been involved in full-time ministry for over 25 years. In addition to his work with Saint Paul’s Outreach, Mr. DeMarais is also a leader of the Community of Christ the Redeemer, an association of the lay faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He received his Master of Arts in Theology from... Read More
Jessica Nelson, Secretary
Jessica Nelson is an alumna of SPO at the University of St. Thomas, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law and is now an attorney with Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt in Minneapolis, MN. In addition to her work as an attorney, Mrs. Nelson... Read More
Steven Kennedy, Board Affairs Chair
Steven Kennedy is a graduate of St. John’s University and the Virginia School of Law. He and his wife Mary are members of St. Bartholomew’s parish in Wayzata. They have four children who attend Providence Academy. Mr. Kennedy is a partner in Faegre and Benson Law Firm in Minneapolis. He serves on a number of boards, including the... Read More
Mark Berchem
Mark Berchem is the Founder & Executive Director of NET Ministries. He holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota in addition to a Master of Theological Studies from the University of Dallas. In addition to his work with NET Ministries, Mr. Berchem has served on the Boards of St. Michael School and the... Read More
Denny Farrell
Denny Farrell is the Parish Administrator for Guardian Angels Parish in Oakdale, Minnesota. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, he holds a BA in Business Administration. He has been actively serving with SPO for many years, and has also been involved with the DeLaSalle Alumni Association, the DeLaSalle Board of Trustees, and the... Read More
Laura Hemler
Laura Hemler is an alumna of the University of Notre Dame (B.A.) and the University of Chicago (M.B.A.). She has served with the Saint Paul Seminary and Holy Family Academy and has been an active leader in many political campaigns over the years. She and her husband David have three children (ages 7-12) and attend Holy Family parish in... Read More
Al Kraling
Al Kraling is the CEO of CPU Options. He is a graduate of North Dakota State University, where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees. In addition to his service with SPO, Mr. Kraling is also a member of the NET Ministries Board of Directors and is a leader of the Community of Christ the Redeemer, an association of... Read More
Sheila Letscher
Sheila Letscher is a graduate of the University of Illinois (B.A.) and Harvard Law School (J.D.). She is an active member of Our Lady of Grace Parish, where she serves as a member of the Parent Advisory Board for Youth Ministry, as the website coordinator, and as the Middle School Service Club coordinator at the parish school. Mrs. Letscher... Read More
Jim McQuillan
James McQuillan is the President of RJF Financial Services. He graduated with Honors from St. John’s University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and entered the financial services business in 1984. In 1989 he co-founded McQuillan Lahti Associates with Joseph Lahti, working as independent financial services advisors to businesses... Read More
Sarah Mealey
Sarah Mealey is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and Kansas State University, and she is the Vice President of Strategy and Field Implementation at Ameriprise Financial. She, her husband Tom and their four children are parishioners at Holy Family in St. Louis Park. Mrs. Mealey has served on... Read More
Dan Moran
Dan Moran is a Sr. VP of Investments at Merrill Lynch. Mr. Moran is an alumni of St. Olaf College, where he received a B.A. in 1985. He graduated from the Harry J. Flynn Catechetical institute in 2010. In addition to his active service on the SPO Board of Directors, Mr. Moran is a member of the Board of Family Fest Ministries, Inc., Notre... Read More