Our Team

Philanthropic Professionals

Supporting Catholic Donors & Organizations

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia team is comprised of philanthropic advisors, fundraisers, marketers, writers, and nonprofit operation professionals who share your faith, your values, your community, and your commitment to the future of our faith. Taking a personal approach in all we do, we work directly with our donors and partners to determine how to best achieve their charitable goals.

We’re ready to help with your goals, your challenges and your legacy.

Ted Qualli
President & Chief Executive Officer
Ted Qualli
President & Chief Executive Officer

Ted Qualli serves as the President and CEO of The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP) – the region’s largest independent, nonprofit community foundation committed to growing philanthropy according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In this role, Ted is spearheading the implementation of a new five-year strategic plan, bringing his experience and leadership to the organization as it seeks to significantly grow the Foundation’s assets in partnership with donors and Catholic organizations to help secure the future of our faith.

Prior to joining CFGP, Ted led external affairs for the Philadelphia Foundation, where his primary focus was on establishing The Civic Coalition to Save Lives—a broad cross-sector effort that brought together more than 100 business, civic, and philanthropic CEOs and organizations committed to decreasing gun violence in Philadelphia.

From 2013-2021, Ted served as Executive Director of the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia (PAL) - one of Philadelphia’s largest out-of-school-time (OST) program providers. As the first civilian executive director in the organization’s 70+ year history, Ted developed and executed a new strategic direction, operational model, and fiscal strategy, which resulted in transformational philanthropic investments, a metrics and outcomes program that quantified the program’s positive impact on juvenile crime and opened five new PAL Centers.

Prior to joining PAL, Ted spent seven years on the leadership team for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Independence Region. During this time, he also served as President of the Big Brothers Big Sisters State Association of Pennsylvania, coordinating public policy and fundraising efforts on behalf of Pennsylvania’s 26 BBBS agencies and launching the Commonwealth’s first-ever statewide Mentoring Children of Prisoners program.

Before joining the non-profit sector, Ted spent five years working in various communications capacities for the City of Philadelphia during the Mayoral Administration of John F. Street.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ted has been recognized as one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and was identified by the Philadelphia Daily News as one of 10 “up-and-comers” playing vital roles in shaping the city’s future. He was also a recipient of the Holy Family University Alumni Achievement Award in 2020.

Ted has served on various nonprofit and civic boards of directors, including the Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association, the Council Rock Education Foundation, Holy Family University’s Alumni Association, and the Blue Bell Hill Civic Association.

Ted holds an M.A. in Professional Communications from La Salle University and a B.A. in English from Holy Family University. He and his wife Maria, a Doctor of Nursing Practice, have three children and live in South Jersey, where they are active members of their parish, St. Teresa of Calcutta.

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Ted
Connor Ames
Project Manager
Connor Ames
Project Manager

Connor joined CFGP in May 2019. He first found his passion for nonprofit work in 2015, during a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Since then, Connor has worked in various nonprofit development roles.

Connor is a South Jersey native and an avid Philly sports fan. He attended Loyola University Maryland, where he attained a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in emerging media. In his free time, Connor enjoys music, reading, going to the gym, and exploring Philly restaurants with his wife, Megan.

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Connor
Shelley Bethea
Data Entry Clerk
Shelley Bethea
Data Entry Clerk

Shelley joined the CFGP team in February 2023 as a Data Entry Clerk. She has over 17 years of experience working at various nonprofit organizations. Shelley is very excited about being a part of fulfilling the mission of CFGP.

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Shelley
Molly Carroll
Executive Assistant
Molly Carroll
Executive Assistant

Molly joined the CFGP team in September of 2023. She was born and raised in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. She attended John W. Hallahan Catholic School for Girls and continued her education at La Salle University where she received her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family at their mountain house on Lake Wallenpaupack, going to concerts and trying out new cooking recipes.

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Molly
Benjamin Centeno
Controller
Benjamin Centeno
Controller

Benjamin Centeno joined the CFGP team in March of 2024. He is a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of LaSalle University. Benjamin has over twenty years of experience in non-profit finance. He takes pleasure in working in the non-profit sector and is thrilled to be a part of the CFGP team. During his free time, he enjoys cheering for all of Philadelphia's sports teams and spending quality time with his family.

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Benjamin
Sean Curtis
Data Entry Clerk
Sean Curtis
Data Entry Clerk

Sean joined the CFGP team in October of 2023. He was born and raised in Berwyn, PA, and attended Conestoga High School where he graduated in 2017. Sean was recently working in the greater Philadelphia area and is excited to be working for a nonprofit located in Center City. In his free time, he enjoys playing in men’s soccer leagues, spending time with his friends, and watching movies.

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Sean
Devon Fine
Bookkeeper, Data Entry Clerk
Devon Fine
Bookkeeper, Data Entry Clerk

Devon Fine joined the CFGP team in June 2023. She is originally from the Philadelphia neighborhood Fishtown, and she attended J.W. Hallahan All Girls Catholic High School. Devon holds a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Devon is new to the nonprofit sector, and she is very excited to be making an impact in the very same community she grew up in.

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Devon
Krissy Freeman
Associate Director, Partner Development
Krissy Freeman
Associate Director, Partner Development

Krissy Freeman joined CFGP as Associate Director, Partner Development in February 2023. Krissy’s entire career has focused on fundraising and nonprofit development. While most of her experience is in education, she is passionate about all nonprofit work and its impact on the community. Krissy was drawn to her current role because of the opportunity to work with multiple CFGP clients and bring new initiatives to further their mission.

Krissy graduated from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Originally from Georgia, she now resides in West Philadelphia. Krissy is an avid reader and enjoys traveling as much as possible.

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Krissy
Kurt A. Gabbard
Chief Financial Officer
Kurt A. Gabbard
Chief Financial Officer

Kurt Gabbard currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.  In that role, he serves as an integral member of the Senior Executive Management team. He is responsible for financial strategy and oversight of all accounting, finance, human resources, and risk management/legal/compliance activities.

Previously Kurt served as Vice President for Finance, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Princeton Theological Seminary, a graduate theological school related to the Presbyterian Church (USA) located in Princeton, New Jersey.  In that role, he was responsible for the seminary’s financial affairs, human resources, and information technology services. Kurt began his career in church-related higher education in 1993 at Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi. He served as Vice President for Business Affairs and later as Vice President for Advancement.  Before coming to Princeton Seminary in 2015, he was Chief Business Officer for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. He previously held the same position for McCormick Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.

Kurt is a registered certified public accountant in Illinois and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He and his wife, Lisa, have three adult children and live in Buckingham Township in central Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

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Kurt
Emily Gambino
Chief Partner Development Officer
Emily Gambino
Chief Partner Development Officer

Emily has been with the Foundation since 2014 and currently oversees CFGP’s many fundraising and development consulting clients. Emily’s love of the nonprofit sector started in college when she served on the Executive Council of Indiana University Dance Marathon. She quickly changed her major from Biology to Nonprofit Management, and hasn’t looked back since! Emily is a proud graduate of Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), and a native of Indianapolis.

Emily loves spending her days helping nonprofits of all sizes overcome their unique challenges and raise the funds they need to fulfill their mission. She is proud to have helped raise nearly $40 million for clients since joining the MAS team.

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Emily
Deacon Jack Hasson
Office and Advancement Coordinator
Deacon Jack Hasson
Office and Advancement Coordinator

Deacon Jack was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Bishop Daniel Thomas in June 2012 and is assigned to St. Eleanor Parish in Collegeville. He earned a Certificate in Catholic Bioethics from Catholic Distance University in 2015.  Deacon Jack is a member of the Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing and other Archdiocesan Committees and Boards.

Deacon Jack enjoys time with his wife and family, traveling and attending local cultural events in the Philadelphia region.

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Jack
James Henry
Relationship Manager
James Henry
Relationship Manager

James joined The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia as a Relationship Manager in June 2024. He has a background in enterprise technology sales and business development and has managed key client relationships with industry leaders such as Dell, HP, and AWS. James is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Business Marketing. He combines his professional expertise with a passion for community engagement, gained through volunteer work in Thailand, Mexico, and Geneva. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through sports and gym workouts, exploring global cuisines through cooking, and embarking on adventures that take him to different corners of the globe.

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James
Valerie Jean
Senior Development Coordinator
Valerie Jean
Senior Development Coordinator

Valerie joined the CFGP team in September 2021 as a Project Coordinator. After graduating from Loyola University of Maryland for Global Studies, she enrolled in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Brooklyn, NY. There she served as an immigration counselor at Catholic Migration Services, assisting clients through the naturalization process. Valerie then went on to earn her Master’s degree at NYU for Global Affairs. Valerie enjoys art, theater, and walking around the city in her spare time.

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Valerie
Russell Lafferty
Database Administrator
Russell Lafferty
Database Administrator

Russell has been with the Foundation since its inception in 2013, and currently manages the Data Department, which processes data for the Catholic Charities Appeal, the St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Appeal, and other clients.

In his spare time, Russell enjoys reading, football, listening to an eclectic mix of music, and spending time with his family as often as possible.

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Russell
Alaina Longo
Director, Marketing
Alaina Longo
Director, Marketing

Alaina joined the CFGP team as the Director, Marketing in May 2024. She previously served as the Deputy Communications Officer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (2019-2024) and Media and Events Specialist for Catholic Human Services (2016-2019). She is passionate about non-profit work and using her time and talent in service to others.

Alaina holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Rowan University and lives in South Jersey with her husband Mike, daughter Eavan, and son Wyatt. She enjoys gardening, trying out new recipes, and spending time in Cape May with her family.

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Alaina
James Looney
Associate Director, Advancement
James Looney
Associate Director, Advancement

James came to CFGP as a development officer in August 2022 and has served in his current role as Associate Director of Advancement since July of 2023. In this role, James works collaboratively with CFGP client partners to help them achieve their fundraising goals, and assists individual donors to renew the world through their philanthropic efforts.

Previously, James worked at Wakefield Country Day School in rural Virginia, where he helped to execute WCDS’s 50th anniversary Founders weekend, as well as a two-year campaign to ensure the future sustainability of the school.

James holds two Bachelor of Music degrees from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. He and his wife Heather live in Malvern, PA. James also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Chester County Pops Orchestra.

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James
Leda Milazzo
Marketing Manager
Leda Milazzo
Marketing Manager

Leda joined the staff of CFGP in December 2021 as the Marketing Manager. She brings with her wide-ranging experience in religious communications, marketing, and design. Leda comes to us from the historic center city church, The Church of the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square, where she was responsible for all digital and print communications.

Leda is married and in 2019 moved from New York to the greater Philadelphia area. She holds a BS in marketing from SUNY Oswego and a MA in American Studies from Fairfield University. She is thrilled to be in service of CFGP’s mission.

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Leda
Matthew Nienas
Relationship Manager
Matthew Nienas
Relationship Manager

Matthew joined the CFGP team in February 2023. Originally from Wisconsin, he attended University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and graduated with a degree in English Rhetoric and Philosophy, prior to accepting roles within the non-profit realm. He was part of the founding corps for City Year Denver, provided administrative support for three years at Beyond Literacy, as well as analyzed data and compiled campaign results for United Way.

Matthew enjoys gardening, writing, and exploring nature. He is the copy editor for “I See Jesus” written by Diane Nienas, which unfolds the story of his family and faith. Matthew resides in South Jersey where he is happily married to his wife, Valerie.

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Matthew
Garrett Owen
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Garrett Owen
Chief Philanthropy Officer

Garrett serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer for CFGP after joining the team in January 2024.  With over 15 years of non-profit fundraising and leadership experience, Garrett is responsible for the oversight of CFGP’s Advancement strategy and providing donors with pathways to support causes and priorities meaningful to them. Garrett is passionate about helping individuals achieve their charitable goals and create an impact in their communities through the transformational power of philanthropy.

Previously, Garrett served as Senior Director of Development for Doylestown Health in Doylestown, PA. In this role, he helped lead a Foundation Office that successfully completed a $100 million comprehensive campaign in support of the growth and expansion of the health system. Prior to his ten years with Doylestown Health, Garrett served as the Development Director of Special Events for Samaritans, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of suicide in Greater Boston. Garrett is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners as well as the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia.

Garrett holds a Bachelor of Arts from Providence College in Providence, RI.  He and his wife, Lisa, have four children and live in Perkasie Borough, Bucks County, PA. Garrett and his family are active members at St. Agnes Parish in Sellersville, PA. He also currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Bucks County Children’s Museum in New Hope, PA.

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Garrett
Peggy Sweeney
Major Gift Specialist
Peggy Sweeney
Major Gift Specialist

Peggy comes to CFGP after a 16-year career at the National Liberty Museum (NLM) where she held the position of Chief Development Officer. In this leadership team role, she successfully developed and secured strategic, high-impact funding partnerships with local and national supporters.

Before her time with NLM, Peggy worked as Program Director at the John Templeton Foundation for six years. Prior to this, she was an Instructor of French at the College of William and Mary. Peggy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell University and Master of Arts degree from The Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia (PGCGP) and resides in Philadelphia.

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Peggy
Jessica Townsend
Data Entry Clerk
Jessica Townsend
Data Entry Clerk

Jess joined CFGP as a Data Entry Clerk in 2018. Before joining CFGP, Jess worked in both retail and guest services. She grew up in South Jersey but has lived in Philadelphia for years. Jess is passionate about all things Disney including the history of the company and its parks. When she’s not working, she likes spending time with family, crocheting, cooking, and baking.

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Jessica
Kristine Visco
Director, Partner Development
Kristine Visco
Director, Partner Development

Kristine, who is the Director, Partner Development joined the CFGP team in August 2020.

She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from LaSalle University. Kristine is grateful to put the theories of nonprofit and organizational leadership into practice in her role at CFGP. She loves working with CFGP’s partners and seeing first-hand the incredible individuals and groups that benefit from each Catholic charity. Kristine and her husband live in a suburb of Philadelphia with their golden retriever Bodhi. They enjoy spending time outdoors gardening, golfing, and relaxing on the beach.

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Kristine