Jeb Myers 
President

Mr. Myers is a graduate of St. John’s University, MN. He served students and their families in inner-city Camden, New Jersey and on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, MT, as teacher, coach and principal before becoming our first assistant principal for Academics. He became principal in January of 2010, was named interim president in September 2014, and later named president in March 2015.  When he’s not at school, he enjoys running and spending time with his wife and four children.

 

 

 

Karen Kelley-Ariwoola
Vice President of Advancement

Ms. Kelley-Ariwoola is a seasoned philanthropic professional who has deep experience on both sides of the philanthropic equation—both giving and raising charitable dollars. Ensuring a high-quality education for under-resourced youth is a life-long passion. Prior to joining Cristo Rey in September 2018, Karen served as the Chief Officer of External Relations at the Harvest Network of Schools (HNS), where she led a team responsible for development, communications, and volunteer/community partnerships. From 1994-2012, Karen served in various roles at The Minneapolis Foundation including Vice President, Community Philanthropy and Interim President and CEO of the Foundation. Karen loves nonprofit board service and currently serves on the boards of the MacPhail Center for Music and as chair of the Northside Achievement Zone. She is also a former chair of the Minnesota Council of Foundations. Karen holds a M.A. in Family Support Studies from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Western Illinois University. Karen is a long-time resident of North Minneapolis, where she resides with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with family, engaging with her church, cooking, journaling, and organizing family pictures.

 

 

Robert Carpentier 
Activities Director

Mr. Carpentier was raised in the New York City area and moved to Minnesota in 1991. He has been in education for 25 years, teaching and coaching middle and high school students. Rob holds a Bachelor’s Degree in history and political science from Valparaiso University and a Juris Doctor earned at William Mitchell College of Law. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, reading, golfing and engaging with his own children.  The role of Activities Director provides him with new and exciting opportunities to interact with students and provide mentoring, which are two primary reasons he entered the field of education.

 

 

Jessica Cass
Marketing and Communications Manager

Ms. Cass built her first website in 1999 and has been passionate about mass communication and technology ever since. As a high school student, Ms. Cass helped create and manage her local area school district’s first website. She went on to earn her degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota, while working full-time as a web designer, and as a deejay and fundraiser at Radio K (KUOM 770 AM). Prior to joining the Cristo Rey community in 2009, she was a member of the Advancement team at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, where she helped the school launch an annual online registration process and modernize its fundraising and communications efforts. Ms. Cass resides in Minneapolis and enjoys reading, live music, traveling, and eating.

 

 

Raquel Gudiel-Diaz

Director of College Counseling

Ms. Gudiel-Diaz is passionate about higher education and college access work. She started her career at Cristo Rey as the Graduate Support Coordinator, supporting alumni in college retention and persistence. She left Cristo Rey to gain experience as an advisor for Career and Technical Educational programs at Century College. She was on the founding team at Hiawatha Collegiate High School where she developed the College Exploration Program and taught the Early College Seminar course. Ms. Gudiel-Diaz rejoined the Cristo Rey staff in 2017 as the Director of College Counseling, where she supports students and families through the college process.  Ms. Gudiel-Diaz enjoys cooking, traveling and visiting her family in Los Angeles, California in her spare time.

 

 

Erin Healy
Principal

Ms. Healy has been a part of the Cristo Rey community since 2008 when she was hired to teach 9th grade English. She has also served as Dean of Student Achievement for grades 9, 10, and 11 between 2011-2017, and most recently as Dean of Curriculum. Before Cristo Rey, Ms. Healy taught in schools in North Saint Paul and Denver, Colorado. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of St. Thomas and her Masters in Education is from the University of Notre Dame. She lives in St. Louis Park with her husband and three children.

 

 

Kesiah Kolbow
Director, Corporate Work Study Program

Ms. Kolbow has over 10 years of experience writing and delivering programs designed to build community and promote equity, access and STEM opportunities in schools across the United States. Recognizing a passion for working in education, she joined the Cristo Rey community in 2014 as a member of the Corporate Work Study Program. She quickly was connected with the Cristo Rey Network National Corporate Work Study Program team, which developed the College and Career Readiness curriculum, providing a structure and roadmap for teaching students 21st century business skills. Kesiah looks forward to using her education from the University of St. Thomas to invest in Cristo Rey’s success.

 

Mel McCaa
Director, Human Resources

Ms. McCaa is a Human Resources leader, and served as Global HR Director at Silicon Graphics, as well as other high tech companies, before coming to Cristo Rey. She has served on many boards, including Florida A&M (Industry Cluster), National Society of Black Engineers (board of Corporate Affiliates), Cray Research (Grants to Education) and Union Gospel Mission. She is a graduate of Augsburg University and holds a certificate in Increasing Workforce Performance, a Mini Master in Project Management and Mini MBA for nonprofits from the University of St. Thomas. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and enjoys spending time with family, serving others and sports.

 

Fr. John M. Paul, S.J. 
Director of Jesuit Mission and Identity

Fr. John M. Paul, S.J. presently serves as the Superior of the Markoe House Jesuit Community in Minneapolis. Prior to coming to Cristo Rey, Fr. Paul worked in the Provincial Offices in Milwaukee as Assistant Provincial, Director of Formation for the young Jesuits in their formation program, and Provincial Liaison for Native Ministry. Other responsibilities have included being Director of Novices and teacher, Superintendent of Schools and President at Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota.

 

 

 

 

Myriam Vigil
Director of Admissions

Ms. Vigil joined Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in August 2009 as admissions coordinator. She became assistant director of admissions in 2011 before becoming director of admissions in 2015. Previously she worked in San Diego, CA, her hometown, as a Case Manager working with under-resourced families. Ms. Vigil is a graduate of National University School of Business and also attended San Diego State University. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two children.

 

 

 

 

Matthew Von Ende
General Manager

Mr. Von Ende has worked for many years in non-profit information technology and facilities management, principally with our partner organization, Urban Ventures. He joined Cristo Rey Jesuit H.S. in 2007 and became General Manager in 2009. He is married and is the proud foster parent of a Cristo Rey Jesuit graduate.