Our Team
|
Alex Urrea
Founder Alex is the son of Colombian immigrants who emigrated to the U.S. in 1966 and shortly became U.S. citizens, entrepreneurs and now grandparents to six grandchildren pursuing higher education. He credits his grandmother with grounding him in Catholic faith and still remembers his first day at American Martyrs School in Bayside, NY when she cried with joy at the sight of seeing him in his uniform for the first time. He is the product of 18 years of Catholic schools and universities. It is his lifelong appreciation and passion for Catholic education that compelled him to launch Procedo. Alex has founded two education companies and is currently the Managing Partner of Eduscape, a professional learning organization that has impacted nearly 800,000 educators in the U.S. and 23 other countries. At Eduscape, he leads a team of innovative, former classroom teachers who develop and deliver exemplary learning experiences for teachers across several disciplines, including EdTech integration, Early Education, STEM, SEL and Cultural Competency. He is also the founding President of his community’s educational foundation, Chair of the West Bergen Mental Health Foundation and Co-Founder of the Innovative Catholic Schools Network. |
|
Denise Monesteri
Development Manager With a background that includes working for international and domestic Fortune 500 companies, Denise brings a multi-faceted career toolbox to the table. Passionate about thinking outside of the box, Denise believes in the power of teamwork and clear communication and is dedicated to creating a collaborative environment where every member feels valued and motivated. A graduate of Hofstra University (B.A.) and a life-long community volunteer, her vision for Procedo is to elevate and push the boundaries with Catholic schools so children continue to have the opportunity for an exceptional education rooted in Christ’s message of inclusion and love. |
|
Christine Coppola
Development Associate Christine brings extensive experience in Client Service Management and Catholic school Development and Marketing to Procedo. She excels in developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive growth, enhance client satisfaction, and foster strong community ties. With proven expertise in designing innovative programs, implementing effective enrollment strategies, and creating comprehensive marketing and development campaigns, she is adept at building robust community networks and managing social media platforms to boost visibility and engagement. Christine’s 360-degree experience as a product of Catholic education, and as a parent and volunteer within the Catholic school system, allows her to approach all tasks through the unique lens of the Catholic school educational system. |
|
Marcie Hebert
Director, STREAM Education Marcie has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic, nationally recognized educators to have taught in Catholic schools. She was one of the original 50 Google Innovative Educators in the world and has delivered professional development to thousands of teachers in the U.S., China and Singapore. Marcie is passionate about helping teachers develop their capacity to integrate technology and STREAM into their classrooms. |
|
Joe Favorito Director
Marketing and Public Relations Joe Favorito is a product of 17 years of Catholic education; beginning at Our Lady Help of Christians Elementary and Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, and then Fordham University. He has over 34 years of strategic communications/ marketing, business development and public relations expertise in sports, entertainment, brand building, media training, television, athletic administration and business. The Brooklyn, New York native has managed the day-to-day activities in strategic communications for: two of the world’s hallmark sports and entertainment brands (the New York Knickerbockers and Philadelphia 76ers); the world’s largest professional sport for women (the WTA Tour); the world’s largest sports National Governing Body (the United States Tennis Association); and the world’s largest annual sporting event (the US Open). He also oversaw the strategic planning, investor relations, communications and digital business development of the International Fight League during its two-year run as a Mixed Martial Arts venture and a publicly traded company before the assets were sold to the UFC. He was named one of Forbes’ “100 Sports Business Must Follows On Twitter” for 2015, their “50 Must Follows” for 2016 and 2017. The Huffington Post’s “Sports Media People To Follow” for 2017 and 2018, BroBible’s 2019 “Sports Business Must Follows,” and SI.com’s 2020 “Top 100 Follows in Sports Business,” as well as being the only sole proprietor selected as a finalist for the Cynopsis Sports PR Awards in 2015. In 2017 he was also selected as one of Sports Business Journal’s “Power Players” in media and communications, the only independent consultant to make the list of 20. |
|
Sr. Elaine Poitras, CSC
Chair, Innovative Catholic Schools Network Sister Elaine firmly believes in the prophetic mission of Catholic schools and has carried out her ministry as teacher, principal, associate superintendent, director of curriculum and testing, and as a Superintendent for two Diocese. She has been a frequent presenter on varied topics for a variety of groups including NCEA. While in her role as Executive Director of the Innovative Catholic School Network she has worked on several initiatives with DePaul University. She is currently and facilitating retreats for new Catholic school leaders in the Archdiocese of Chicago to prepare, encourage, and support them in their roles as the Faith and Spiritual Leaders of their school communities Sister Elaine is a native of New Bedford, MA and currently lives in Merrimack, NH. A product of Catholic schools, Sister entered the Sisters of Holy Cross drawn in great part by their mission of education. She has served in the Dioceses of Norwich, Fall River, Manchester, Rochester, Wheeling-Charleston and the Archdiocese of Boston. Sister holds a BA from Notre Dame College, Manchester, NH, MA from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, CAES in Catholic School Leadership from Boston College, and Ph.D. in School Administration with a minor in pastoral ministry from Boston College. |
|
Ken Willers
Executive Director Ken is currently the President of Notre Dame Academy in Duluth, GA, a Marist and IB World School. He most recently served as the Associate Superintendent of Leadership for Innovation and Growth for the Diocese of Oakland, after a 20-year career as one of the most decorated Catholic School Principals in the country. He has received the following awards: NAESP National Distinguished Principal, Washington, DC, 2017 NCEA Lead. Learn. Proclaim Award for Outstanding Leadership 2017 ISTE Administrator Award for Exemplary Leadership 2016 NCEA Lead. Learn. Proclaim Award for Outstanding Board Leadership 2016 NCEA Outstanding Board Award 2009 Certificate of Honor for Vision with Technology by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors 2004 Catholic School of the Tomorrow Award for Innovation with Technology Ken has a B.A. in Philosophy from Don Bosco College, a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Catholic Diocesan Leadership from the Catholic University of America. |