About Us

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of members from diverse and accomplished backgrounds who often have deep and strong relationships with Catholic Charities. 

The board is responsible for guiding the organizational development through long-term planning, overseeing financial management, and ensuring Catholic Charities' accountability to the public.

Corporate Members

Bishop Edward C. Malesic, Bishop of Cleveland, Diocese of Cleveland

Jim Mullen, secretary for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland

Anthony J. Searcy, board chair, Catholic Charities 

Board Officers

CHAIR: Anthony J. Searcy, senior financial consultant, Osaic

VICE CHAIR: Douglas Tayek, advisor for curriculum design, AARP

SECRETARY: Ali Rife, Ph.D., director of talent development, Leaf Home

TREASURER: Joseph Swiderski, CFA, CFP, founder and president, Tamarack Trail Investment Partners LLC 

Board Members 

Charles Aquino, managing director, EdgePoint Capital Advisors

Daniel Bender, senior vice president, commercial lending team lead, Westfield Bank

Tom Bernot, president & COO, Falls & Co.        

Amy Buehner, strategic pricing manager, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company   

Robert Chambers Jr., underwriting manager, PNC Bank

Tony Chin, risk manager, PNC Bank

Bernadette Coberly, office manager, Lighting Dynamics Inc.   

David Croft, chair, business & corporate practice group, Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis  

Christopher Diehl, partner, Thompson Hine LLP            

Sarah Echan, vice president, senior client executive, Oswald Companies        

Kathryn Esbenshade, retired, Young Truck Sales Inc.   

Kate Fiala, records, Highland Middle School    

Eric D. German, CPA, Macc, partner, Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Co.               

Anna Herceg, product analyst, Thomson Reuters         

Allison Kenney, PHR, SHRM-CP, director, membership & HR services, ERC     

Megan Kim, executive director, COSE and senior vice president, membership development & marketing, Greater Cleveland Partnership          

Danielle LeChard, CFP, wealth advisor, Return on Life Wealth Partners             

Robert Loesch, partner, Tucker Ellis LLP            

Joanna N. Lopez Inman Esq., magistrate, Cleveland Housing Court    

Richard Manson, CFO, Olympic Steel Inc.        

Paul F. Marnecheck, commissioner of economic development, City of Brook Park      

Mike Matoney, CEO, New Directions & Crossroads Health; behavioral health surveyor, The Joint Commission

Jim Mullen, president & CEO, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, ex-officio      

Thomas Novak, controller, Richard E. Jacobs Group    

Shannon Patton, shareholder-attorney, Littler Mendelson P.C.               

Kevin Peinkofer, GM commercial lines claims, Progressive Insurance 

Tricia Rhea, president, Karen’s Way Inc.                                             

Jared Rispinto, senior vice president – private bank wealth advisor IV, Huntington Private Bank

Retanio Aj Rucker, senior litigation attorney, The Rucker Law Group LLC           

Andrea Staron, estate planning attorney, UB Greensfelder LLP