Leadership Roundtable inaugurated the J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal to inspire a culture of giving that promotes excellence in Church management and leadership. The Monan Medal seeks to thank and inspire philanthropists of the Catholic Faith who emulate and personify the vision, character, creativity, and commitment to excellence of the late Rev. J. Donald Monan of the Society of Jesus. 

Fr. Monan’s life was a living testimony to how best practices, implemented in collaboration between clergy and laity, can transform a Catholic institution to bring excellence to management and mission. Fr. Monan dedicated his life to spreading Christ’s mission through the inclusive partnership of the clergy, religious and lay Catholic leaders. He worked to build and lead Catholic initiatives of service grounded in the foundation of solid best practices in temporal affairs, principles that include thoughtful governance disciplines, accountable management, creative human and financial resource stewardship and effective communication.

The J. Donald Monan, SJ Distinguished Catholic Philanthropy Medal is an annual honor conferred upon Catholic philanthropists who have invested generously and faithfully in the Catholic Church’s work to lead through exemplary temporal affairs, and who’s giving reflects Fr. Monan’s deeply held belief in collaborative excellence and partnership.

Karen and Mark Rauenhorst

Mark and Karen Rauenhorst are dedicated catholic lay leaders within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and beyond. They have devoted years to serving on the board of directors for multiple charitable, academic, and faith-based organizations. They also initiated the Mark and Karen Rauenhorst Foundation more than 20 years ago as a way to support the broader community as part of their faith. Mark serves on the board of directors of Ascension Catholic Academy, Creighton University, GHR Foundation, and Catholic Relief Services, and the advisory council for Mendoza College of Business. Karen perviously served as acting President of the St. Catherine University in St. Paul, and currently serves on the boards of Catholic Relief Services Foundation, Corporate Board of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, FADICA, and NCEA. Mark and Kare have been married for 45 years, have four adult children, and seven grandchildren.

Noelle M. Robinson and Patrick W. McGrory

The Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities, Inc. was established in 1945. John J. and Helena S. Raskob were Catholics with a simple but profound vision. They believed that God had blessed them abundantly, and that they, in turn, were called to give thanks through personal service and generous financial support of the Catholic Church. They envisioned that this call to service and religious philanthropy would be a legacy for their descendants, to be handed on from generation to generation. They modeled an approach to philanthropy emphasizing behind-the-scenes, practical, and pastoral grant-making. The Foundation that John J. and Helena S. Raskob established continues in their memory, with 140 family members, reaching to five generations, and has distributed more than $200 million in grants to Catholic organizations and programs throughout the world.

Michele Montrone Cogan

Sandra and Paul Montrone, natives of Scranton, PA, are descendants of Italian immigrants, a culture that placed family and religion at the center of life. Fittingly, they established the Penates Foundation in 1983, named after the Roman god of family. Since its inception, the Foundation has actively involved the Montrone family members in its administration, and the charities it supports. These include a broad range of Catholic organizations — here in the U.S. and abroad — including African Sisters Education Collaborative, Mary Mother of Peace in Medjugorje, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools Foundation, Good Shepard Services, St. Ann’s Shrine Basilica, St. Charles Children’s Home, and a wide variety of schools, churches, and religious groups. Sandra and Paul have been married for 57 years, have three children — Michele, Angelo, and Jerome — and 11 grandchildren.

Leadership Roundtable identifies Catholic organizations and institutions that strive to implement best practices in their management, finances, or human resource development. At its annual meeting, Leadership Roundtable recognizes examples of such organizations and presents them with Leadership Roundtable Best Practices Award.