FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It is with great joy and gratitude that I share very good news with you. After a prayerful, intentional, and thorough search, the Board of Directors has appointed Michael Laughery as the next President of Saint Paul’s Outreach (SPO).

Mike brings a deep love for Christ and His Church, coupled with a wealth of experience in strategic planning, leadership, and mission-driven service. A faithful Catholic and joyful disciple, he is equipped to guide SPO’s mission of evangelizing college students and young adults and sending them forth as lifelong missionary disciples.

For the past twelve years, Mike has served at Emmaus Partners where he most recently held the role of Director of Partner Services. Emmaus Partners (formerly Catholic Finance Corporation) is a Catholic non-profit organization in the Twin Cities with a 25-year legacy of empowering parishes and other Catholic ministries to achieve their goals through strategic planning and financial stewardship. His background also includes two decades of leadership in the technology, parish administration and agriculture sectors, where he honed his skills in sales, marketing, finance, strategy, coaching, and people development. I know that the parishes and schools of the Archdiocese that I am privileged to lead have benefited from his generous service and I have long been impressed by his servant’s heart.

Mike shared with me the following message as he prepares to begin serving in this role on December 9th, 2024:

“SPO had a significant impact on the lives of my children. After twenty years in for-profit businesses and 15 years serving Catholic parishes, schools, and dioceses, I look forward to giving back by utilizing my gifts and experience to help SPO reach, call, form, and send many more missionary disciples for this new apostolic age.”

Mike holds a Master of Business Administration from Hamline University and a degree in Agriculture Business from Iowa State University. He and his wife, Renee, are blessed with five children and are active members of Saint Michael parish in Farmington, Minnesota.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Tim Skidmore for his leadership and faithful service as Interim President during this transition. My thanks extend as well to the Board of Directors and the search committee for their dedication and discernment throughout this process.

I invite you to join me in praying for Mike as he transitions into this new role. May the Holy Spirit fill him with the zeal, courage, and wisdom of St. Paul, the patron of SPO, so that he may lead this apostolate with vision and fidelity, serving the Church and advancing the Kingdom of God.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Reverend Bernard A. Hebda

Chair of SPO’s National Board of Directors
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis