Leadership Announcement: President & VP of Advancement

Dawn Zoppa’s selection as President concludes an intensive search following the retirement of current president Phil Kerr.

 

Throughout the process, the Board and Presidential Search Committee were deeply moved not only by Dawn’s exceptional professional caliber but by her dynamic warmth, compelling vision, and lifelong devotion to her Catholic faith.

"It was vital that our next president possess not only a sharp strategic mind to ensure our operational strength, but also a deep devotion to our spiritual values and the fabric of our school culture,” said Board President Michael O’Connell. “Dawn impressed us with her energy, her passion, and her commitment to Catholic education. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome her and her family to the St. Francis community."

 

Dawn steps into this role with more than 20 years of high-level executive and corporate leadership experience, backed by a proven track record of driving mission-centered growth. An alumnus of St. Xavier University Graham School of Management, she built her career foundation in business development, delivery and operations — a background that honed her innate gift for building deep relationships and cultivating stakeholder buy-in.

 

Throughout a distinguished career with industry leaders like Marsh, Ventiv Technology, and Ryan Specialty, Dawn specialized in driving strategic growth and pioneering high-impact community partnerships. Most recently, as the co-founder and Head of Digital & Technical Solutions at Ascendex Underwriters, she served as a primary architect for the organization’s mission and vision and was a frequent speaker at events such as Insuretech Connect and Women in Insurance Technology.

 

“I am truly honored to join the St. Francis High School community and excited for the opportunity to help lead its next chapter of excellence,” Dawn said. “St. Francis has a strong tradition of faith, academic greatness, leadership, and service, and I look forward to partnering with students and families, faculty, alumni, and supporters to help build upon that foundation and support the school’s continued success.”

 

Dawn’s heart has always been rooted in Catholic education and service. For the past several years, she has poured her expertise back into the community as a mentor and coach for the INCubator Program at Providence Catholic High School, guiding students through a formative entrepreneurship curriculum. Her deep commitment to faith in action is also reflected by her aid and support of Misericordia Heart of Mercy, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and her alma mater, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.

 

In her new role, she will partner closely with Principal Raeann Huhn to ensure that St. Francis’ administrative and operational strength seamlessly supports a vibrant campus ministry, rigorous academic excellence, and the formation of our students — mind, body, and spirit.

 

Dawn and her husband are residents of Lockport, and their daughter is a recent graduate of Providence Catholic High School.

 

Please join us in extending a joyful and warm welcome to Dawn as she joins the St. Francis High School community!

We are pleased to announce that Bob Mamminga is the new Vice President of Advancement. For over two decades, Bob has been a cornerstone of our school community. While many of you know him best as our dedicated Band Director and Director of the Performing and Visual Arts Department, his impact on our institution extends far beyond the music room. Bob has cultivated not only musical excellence within our school but also a vibrant, interconnected community of students, parents, and alumni.

Bob’s transition into this leadership role is a natural evolution of his commitment to our school’s mission. Since 2024, he has balanced his music leadership with a part-time position in the Advancement Office. During this time, he has worked closely under the mentorship of President Phil Kerr, gaining invaluable experience in development, donor relations, and institutional strategy.

 

Through this mentorship and dedicated professional development, Bob has demonstrated a profound ability to translate the same passion and community-building spirit he brought to the band program into the wider landscape of institutional advancement. He understands the unique DNA of our community, and he is uniquely positioned to ensure that our school continues to thrive for years to come. Bob and his wife, Jen, reside in Geneva with their three children, Amber '25, Elena '27, and Ryan '29.

 

As Bob embarks on this new chapter, we want to assure our students, families, and supporters that we are deeply committed to maintaining the high standards of excellence within our Performing and Visual Arts programs. Bob will continue to be a part of the music program and an active member of the Performing and Visual Arts Department. Our priority is to build upon the strong foundation Bob has established, continuing to foster creativity and artistic growth as a vital component of the student experience.

 

Please join us in congratulating Bob on his new position. We look forward to the vision and energy he will bring to his new role as we continue to advance our mission together.