Kathleen Swain, LV 09-11, Director
Personal Story
I was born and raised in Philadelphia. While attending Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls I became involved with Community Service Corps.
For college I headed to Chicago and attended Loyola University. While at Loyola I was heavily involved in Campus Ministry; participating and leading Retreats. I also participated in the Alternative Break Immersion program my junior and senior year. Between my amazing college experience, studying abroad, and volunteering I realized how much I had received and wanted to give back.
Upon graduation I moved to Memphis, Tennessee where I served for two years as a Lasallian Volunteer at De La Salle Elementary Blessed Sacrament. My two years were full of laughter, jokes, lots of growth, and fostering life-long friendships. After completing my two years of service I remained in Memphis and served as the Assistant Campus Minister for the Catholic Diocese of Memphis. I worked closely with the students at the University of Memphis and Rhodes College and constantly spoke of my LV experience. I also continued to spend time volunteering at De La Salle.
After spending eight years away from the east coast I decided to return. I previously served in the role as recruitment coordinator for two years, before taking on the exciting and challenging role of director. I am excited to continue to help grow a program that has given so much to me.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Communication, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
Areas of Responsibility
The Director of the Lasallian Volunteers is responsible for leadership, overall direction, and management of the Lasallian Volunteers. The Director functions as part of the Lasallian Volunteers staff team and, with the LV Advisory Board, is responsible for ensuring that the program advances and upholds it Mission as embodied in the Mission statement.
Professional Experience
- Lasallian Volunteers Recruitment Coordinator, 7/2013 – 7/2015
- Assistant Campus Minister / Administrative Assistant, Catholic Diocese of Memphis, Memphis, TN
- Librarian, Computer Teacher, After-School Coordinator, Religion Teacher, De La Salle Elementary Blessed Sacrament, Memphis, TN
Other Interests
- Reading
- Keeping busy with my two kids — James and Annabeth
- Spending time with my family!
Margaret Naughton, Associate Director
Personal Story
Born and raised in Foxborough, Massachusetts, I spent 13 years as a teacher, a campus minister, and a coach. I came across the Brothers of the Christian Schools by accident, wanting to work with a religious order that had a defined charism that would align with my own values of commitment to the preferential option for the poor and excellent educational service to those most in need. In 2005, I left a diocesan high school to work at La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, first as a religion teacher and then as a campus minister.
During my seven years as a campus minister, I led five urban immersion trips to Camden, New Jersey, one trip to Toppa Joppa, Tennesee, and facilitated La Salle’s first trip to the Brother David Darst Center in Chicago. In addition to service trips, I directed our Christian Service program, developed curriculum centered around St. John Baptist de La Salle’s life and educational pedagogy that lined up with the religion curriculum at La Salle, did pastoral care, and helped to animate our school’s mission surrounding the five Lasallian Core Principles.
My introduction to the Lasallian Volunteers was presenting at Orientation in 2014. I returned to La Salle so energized to be a better teacher and coach, and I was much more pastorally present. It is clear to me what a powerful witness the volunteers are not only to the students and clients entrusted to their care, but also the other adults they work alongside. I am excited and honored to be the next associate director of this program which is in faithful fidelity to the Founder’s vision.
Educational Background
- Certificate in Educational Leadership, Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA
- Master of Theology, Providence College, Providence, RI
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Assumption College, Worcester, MA
Areas of Responsibility
The Associate Director for Lasallian Volunteers has overall responsibility for providing consistent, high quality support and programming to the volunteers and their site/communities during each program year. The Associate Director assists the Director in the overall operations of the program. In the absence of the Director, the Associate Director acts in lieu of the Director.
Professional Experience
- Teacher, Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton, MA
- Teacher/Student Services/Coach, La Salle Academy, Providence, RI
- Asst. Field Hockey Coach, East Greenwich High School, East Greenwich, RI
Other Interests
- Traveling
- Working out
- Original writings from the Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle
Michael Phipps, LV 09-11, Recruitment Coordinator
Personal Story
Educational Background
Areas of Responsibility
The Recruitment Coordinator for Lasallian Volunteers, working as a team member, has responsibility for assisting in all programmatic efforts. The Recruitment Coordinator’s primary responsibility is to organize, manage, support and act as key contact person for all areas of recruitment.
Professional Experience
Other Interests
Don Coates, Director of Development
Personal Story
As a native Washingtonian, I was reared in a family rooted in public, civil and military service. While having a faith-filled and gracious upbringing, my parents always pushed to instill ways for assisting those in-need. Whether it was participating at ministry-sponsored soup kitchens or sorting clothing and housewares designated for the city’s homeless population. Our family theme was to never lose sight of “the lost, the least and left-out among us”.
After graduating from college, my initial plan was to pursue a federal law enforcement position or opportunity in public safety here in the DC metro area. However, after landing a position as a court reporter and staying employed there for nearly six years, a new career path came about with an introduction into the nonprofit sector as a development staffer. This new fundraising career all started at a national veteran’s organization here in the District. From there, a nearly 30-year career path in Fund-Development unfolded.
Interestingly, while in my first fundraising position, I was detailed to work with a state-run agency Texas. Based out of their Austin offices, I was dispatched to oversee funding programs for U.S. Air Force veterans throughout the state. It was in my next position at Catholic Charities USA’ national office that helped set the tone for my desire work in some social service capacity.
Currently, I volunteer with several nonprofits whose missions are youth, veterans and social service oriented.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
- Creative Writing Certificate, USDA Graduate School Certificate Program, Washington, DC
Leadership Institutes
- Catholic Charities USA – Leadership Institute, Scottsdale, AZ
- Social Justice Leadership Institute – Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Areas of Responsibility
The Director of Development is responsible for leading the Lasallian Volunteers advancement efforts including:
- Cultivating and coordinating the solicitation of potential donors.
- Developing and implementing plans for development, fundraising and public relations.
- Developing strategies to increase outreach beyond Lasallian Volunteers’ traditional funding base to new prospects.
- Overseeing foundation relations, proposal development and reporting.
- Overseeing the planning and execution of special events/promotions.
- Produces the Lasallian Volunteers annual report and related publications.
Professional Experience
- Fund-Development Consultant and Technical Advisor, DGC Consulting, Washington, DC
- Senior Manager, Development, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Alexandria, VA
- Director, Direct Response Operations, Paulist Fathers, North America Paulist Center, Washington, DC
- Director of Development & Communications, Challenger Center for Space Science Education, Alexandria, VA
- Director, Direct Marketing, Catholic Charities USA, Alexandria, VA
- Board Member (Vice Chair) Woodridge Warriors Youth Organization, Washington, DC
Other Interests
- Youth Mentoring
- Football & Baseball Coaching
- Cross-Fit Training
- Woodwork
- Vintage Automobiles/Specialty Auto Shows