Your Mission Is Our Mission

As good stewards, we provide direction and counsel to Catholic institutions, guiding them to an improved position of financial strength and security so that they may freely and faithfully fulfill their mission through their various ministries.

Welcome to Emmaus Partners

Let's walk this road together.

Meet the team

Discover the people who form the heart and soul of Emmaus Partners.

  • Judy, a dedicated and energetic leader, has served as managing director at Emmaus Partners since 2020, initially joining the organization in 2011. Her specialization in K-8 Catholic education finance and reporting and her expertise in financial planning, operations, and financial reporting issues testify to her extensive background. With over 35 years of experience in accounting, tax, and nonprofits, working for various firms, from KPMG to Deluxe Corporation, Judy brings clarity and practical solutions to client objectives, ensuring their financial goals are met. Her dedication to the Catholic community, as evident from her role as the parish administrator at St. Jude of the Lake Parish in Mahtomedi, brings even more depth to her ability to meet client needs.

    Judy completed her master's in nonprofit management from Hamline University in 2016, focusing on parish accounting and financial reporting, school finance, and leadership transition. If you share Judy's enthusiasm for K-8 Catholic education or if you need her expertise, she would be delighted to connect with you.

    Outside of work, Judy enjoys outdoor activities, working her acreage with her husband, Rich, and spending time with their grandchildren.

  • As the director of partner services for Emmaus Partners, Mike brings over 30 years of financial, sales, and operational management experience in private and nonprofit sectors. His ability to build collaboration and provide unique acumen and vision integrates well with his zeal to serve the church and help clients achieve their goals.

    Prior to joining Emmaus Partners, Mike was the business administrator for a large suburban church and school and the vice president of Producer Services at The National Pork Board in Des Moines, Iowa.

    A graduate of Iowa State University, Ames, Mike holds an MBA in leadership and change management from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. He has also served on his parish's finance council and as a parish pastoral council chair.

    Mike and his wife, Renee, live in Prior Lake, where they form and serve their five children and the foster children who have come through their door.

  • Phil, a financial consultant at Emmaus Partners since 2006, is a testament to the power of determination and commitment. His understanding of finance and ministry allows him to provide clients with comprehensive financial advice and assistance in building projects and operational planning. Prior to joining Emmaus Partners, Phil served as the director of the Archbishop’s Annual Catholic Appeal for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. During his seven-year tenure as a business banker in the Twin Cities he assisted closely held businesses with lending and other financial needs.

    Phil holds a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Northwestern Seminary and began his career as a Lutheran pastor before pursuing post-graduate theology studies at the University of Notre Dame, a transition that showcases his unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

  • As a financial consultant determined to contribute to your mission, Jill’s diverse educational background is a significant asset to our partners. She holds a BS in Marketing, an MBA in Venture Management, and an MA in Catholic Studies. Jill has proven her value as an administrator at Holy Name of Jesus in Wayzata, following her work in Parish and Clergy Services, where she conducted pastoral visits for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

    Before her work in the church, Jill spent 20 years in data analytics and data science, owned her own consulting business, and most significantly, stayed home with her two children. One of her educational highlights was studying at John Paul II University in Lublin, Poland, where John Paul II taught for many years. In her spare time, Jill enjoys exploring theology, traveling, and like many of us, cherishing moments with friends and family.

  • Jim joined Emmaus Partners as a financial consultant in 2021, bringing a wealth of practical and strategic acumen, experience, and strong ties to the community. His 13 years in accounting, financial management, and operations and five years at a board governance consulting firm honed his expertise. He focused on nonprofits and Catholic schools, demonstrating his comprehensive understanding of the sector.

    For four years, Jim served as a business administrator at the Church of the Annunciation in South Minneapolis and then two years at St. John the Baptist in Savage, both parishes with schools. During his tenure, he partnered with Emmaus Partners to help parish leadership gain clarity on the current reality to make strategic decisions and support parish financial stability.

    He has served as a finance council member, and currently a parish council member at Saints Joachim and Anne, Shakopee. Jim enjoys spending time with his wife, Julie, and their three children, taking trips, making memories and playing pickleball. 

  • Dorfha, our lead financial analyst, joined Emmaus Partners in 2007. With her analytic and solutions-oriented aptitudes, Dorfha is critical to serving our partners. This includes analyzing copious amounts of client data into meaningful patterns to enable clients to make data-informed decisions, managing our loan portfolio, and creating and maintaining clients’ financial models. Dorfha's professional journey brought her to us from a major financial advisory firm where she was a project manager and financial analyst for six years. Prior to that, Dorfha spent seven years in customer service for a large insurance firm. Dorfha holds a BA in Business Management from Bethel University.

  • Mary has been a key member of the Emmaus Partners team since 2013. Her primary role involves crucial support to the financial analyst lead and the financial consultants.  She is particularly skilled in creating and maintaining the necessary financial models that are crucial for Emmaus Partners to effectively serve its clients.  Before joining Emmaus Partners, Mary spent 11 years at CenturyLink, where she served as an analyst. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in management and a master’s degree in business administration from Concordia University. In her free time, Mary enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her friends and family.

  • Amanda has been part of the Emmaus Partners team since its formation and for nearly her entire career. As the third employee hired in 2002, she was instrumental in bringing Emmaus Partners' mission to fruition by creating structure and procedures in its first five years of growth. Her influence is further demonstrated by her decision to return after a three-year hiatus, using her expertise to manage another nonprofit.

    She is a detailed operations professional well-versed in the nonprofit and financial consulting industries. Her duties range from ensuring quality control of Emmaus Partners' organizational and client records to internal HR management to bookkeeping and leveraging technology. 

    Amanda is a core player, managing logistics so that Emmaus Partners runs effectively and proficiently. She is currently pursuing her BA degree in HR management and finance.

  • Kindra, our resourceful and interdisciplinary administrative colleague, joined us in early 2023. She takes on projects of all sizes to enhance our client service capabilities. With 21 years of experience in the insurance industry, including three years as a sales performance manager, Kindra has successfully transitioned her skills to the nonprofit sector. Notably, she holds active property/casualty and life/accident/health insurance licenses, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to professional development. A resident of Inver Grove Heights, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and camping with her husband and two adult children.

  • Since 2018, Lisa has been a leading contributor to our communications, bolstering dialogues with our partners and making resources available for our clients’ success. Her background in advertising as a broadcast production manager for BBDO Advertising/Minneapolis and her degree in communications and journalism from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, have equipped her with the skills to make a significant contribution.

    In addition to thriving on the written word, Lisa enjoys entertaining guests and time with her family.  She is also active in a local Catholic lay community.