Melissa Woinarowicz has been chosen by the Sacred Heart Foundation Board of Directors as the next Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Foundation, effective September 3, 2024. Melissa Woinarowicz is originally from northwestern MN, having grown up on a family farm in the communities of Fisher and Fertile, MN.  Melissa received her BA in philosophy from North Dakota State University, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Mary.  

Asked what she is most looking forward to as the new Executive Director for the Sacred Heart Foundation, she said, "Whether in parish ministry or mission integration or leader development, Jesus has always called me to help connect people to the truth of His love for them.”  

Melissa has worked in parish ministry in the Diocese of Fargo for over 20 years in the areas of Liturgy and Music, Evangelization and Adult Catechesis, RCIA, Pastoral Care, and Finance and Administration.  For the past three years, Melissa has worked in Catholic Healthcare with Commonspirit Health in the area of Human Resources and Mission Integration, as well as Leader Development and Training. 

As the Foundation continues to deepen its ties with alumni and friends, Erin O’Leary, Foundation Board President shared, “We look ahead to the future with confidence in Melissa to build relationships with our supporters and bring the Sacred Heart Foundation into the next era. We are thankful for the help of the Sacred Heart family in our search for a new Executive Director.
Fr. Matt Schmitz, Pastor and Superintendent of Sacred Heart Church and School shares his gratitude to the Foundation Board for their work in the hiring process. “I am thankful to Erin O’Leary for filling the role of Executive Director in the interim and the Board’s work in the process.  We are grateful for Melissa’s willingness to serve.”

Woinarowicz will begin work with the Foundation on September 1, 2024. “I look forward to continuing to connect people in this community to the generosity and love of God, because I know that we are at our best, at our most generous, when we know how loved we are and how great the adventure is to which we have been called.  I look forward to helping to nurture the dreams and visions of the men and women of Sacred Heart and our greater community as we ensure the future of this Catholic School for generations to come.”