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Securing Mission-Aligned Catholic Leaders Nationwide

Catholic Recruiting Solutions helps Catholic schools, dioceses, religious communities, nonprofit foundations, and social ministries identify exceptional leaders who strengthen mission, culture, and long-term vitality. We partner with institutions navigating transition, growth, or renewal—conducting high-touch, mission-centered searches that prioritize Catholic identity, governance understanding, and cultural alignment.

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Our Mission

Who We Serve & What We Do

Assisting Catholic institutions through a mission-focused executive search and thoughtful consideration in finding leadership candidates that will enhance their cultural environment, meet the challenges associated with complexity, and help advance the Church's mission with clarity and direction.

What We Do

Our organization works with Catholic organizations to recruit high-level senior and executive leaders (presidents, principals, superintendents, executive directors, advancement leaders, operations administrators, etc.). Our recruiting efforts include a national search, expert analysis of Catholic identity, and a commitment to discerning and identifying the right leadership candidate.

Who We Serve

We partner with boards, priests, superintendents, religious superiors, and all other stakeholders who make decisions related to hiring senior executives with Catholic organizations, institutions, or Catholic schools, dioceses, and organizations. Working closely with key leaders and other stakeholders in recruiting supports stable transitions and overall institutional vitality in the long term.

Our Approach

In establishing every search, we fully support the recruitment effort in professionalism, pastoral sensitivity, and respect for the Church's work and mission. Our primary focus is on finding leaders who will enhance the culture in the organization, assist the leadership in managing systemic challenges, and lead the organization with clarity, fidelity, and purpose.

Leadership Roles We Help You Fill

We carry out searches across the nation for the top leadership positions within Catholic organizations. We assist schools, dioceses, and ministries in locating leaders whose mission and vision align with theirs, as well as helping them build strong foundations for their organizations based on Catholic core values and governance realities.

Explore Executive Roles

School & System Leadership

School presidents, principals, heads of school, and system-level leaders guiding Catholic education and institutional culture.

Diocesan & Ministry Executives

Senior diocesan leaders overseeing Catholic education, finance, operations, identity, and mission-driven ministries.

Mission & Formation Leadership

Leaders responsible for Catholic identity, formation, and mission integration across institutions and systems.

Advancement & Enrollment

Directors of advancement, enrollment, and development supporting sustainability, growth, and community engagement.

Operational & Administrative Roles

Finance, communications, and human resources leaders ensuring strong operations and governance alignment.

Foundation & Apostolic Leadership

Executives serving Catholic foundations, ministries, and apostolates advancing the Church’s mission.

Our Impact

Our National PK–12 Catholic Leadership Experience

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Catholic School Campuses Served
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of U.S. Dioceses Partnered
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School Strategic Plans Facilitated
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Leadership Placements Supported
Testimonials

Our Work Advances Catholic Leadership Nationwide

ACELA provides support for Catholic leaders, from boardrooms to classrooms. We are committed to building long-term relationships with our clients in the Catholic community, contributing to the mission, strengthening institutions, and inspiring transformational leadership.

"Mike Furey leads with sharp intuition, strategic clarity, and deep integrity. I trust him—and ACELA—completely."

Dr. Pattie Davis
Dr. Pattie Davis
Superintendent of Catholic Schools

"Mike and Steven guided me through pivotal discernment and now inspire me to join ACELA, contributing my leadership to its mission."

Dr. W. Paul Harrington
Dr. W. Paul Harrington
Head of School

"ACELA leads with clarity, compassion, and uncommon attentiveness—especially when serving under-resourced Catholic schools and communities."

Jocelyn Smith
Jocelyn Smith
Ed.D.

"Mike’s professionalism and strategic insight delivered strong leaders who met the evolving needs of Catholic school communities."

Todd R. Sweda
Todd R. Sweda
Ed.D.

"Katie, Mike, Steven and their team brought strategic clarity, mission-driven insight, and governance support that continues to transform our board and school community."

Ricci Ososkie
Ricci Ososkie
Board Chair

"Mike Furey’s experience, personalized engagements, and heart for service make him a blessing to Catholic education."

Dr. Marco Clark
Dr. Marco Clark
President

"Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph & Capuchin Soup Kitchen (Detroit, MI)."

Lindsey Meyer
Lindsey Meyer
Director of Corporate Relations

"Stephen’s steady counsel, in partnership with our board, helped guide a pivotal season of leadership and mission renewal."

Ken Willers-Former President
Ken Willers-Former President
Notre Dame Academy (Duluth, GA)

"No other firm, at any price, matches Mike’s relational depth, strategic clarity, and mission-driven stewardship."

Tim Cullen
Tim Cullen
President at St. Dominic Savio High School and Holy Family School (Austin, TX)

"A Mother Seton Award winner and lifelong servant of Catholic education, Steven Virgadamo unites mission, leadership, and strategy—guiding Catholic schools toward faithful, sustainable, mission-driven vitality."

Steve Hammond
Steve Hammond
Former Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Insights & Resources

Featured Articles

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Trusted
Nationwide

Our Approach to
Catholic Executive Search

We have established a process for candidate identification and selection that includes focused listening, thoughtful discernment, and in-depth collaboration. Our understanding of each institution's mission, culture, governance, and community will ensure each search is based on clarity, trust, and shared commitments.

  • Mission-focused discovery of culture, governance, and strategic needs
  • Clear leadership profile aligned to Catholic identity and context
  • Targeted national outreach and candidate engagement
  • Mission-centered interviews and rigorous leadership vetting
  • Guided communication, stakeholder alignment, and transition planning
Learn More About Our Approach →

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Catholic Mission Partners is a strategic initiative powered by ACELA Solutions—national experts supporting Catholic institutions with leadership development, governance strategy, culture strengthening, operational assessments, and long-term strategic planning.

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Powered by ACELA Solutions

Catholic Recruiting Solutions is a strategic initiative powered by ACELA Solutions—national experts in Catholic executive search, leadership development, organizational assessments, and mission-centered governance.

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