BSM Board of Directors Welcomes New Members

With the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Benilde-St. Margaret’s School is pleased to announce that Tom Lynch ’85 has been appointed chair of the school’s Board of Directors and four new members of the BSM community have been named to the Board.

“We are fortunate to have a Board of Directors that is engaged and committed to the success of BSM. I look forward to working closely with Tom as Board chair in the coming year,” said Danielle Hermanny ’03, BSM president, noting, “Our new Board members represent a wide range of experiences and perspectives, and I appreciate their willingness to serve BSM in this capacity.” 

Officers of the BSM Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 school year include: Tom Lynch ‘85 (chair), Laura Portz (past chair), Patrick Kocourek ‘85 (treasurer), Phong Luong (secretary), and Danielle Hermanny ’03 (president).

Lynch succeeds Laura Portz who served as Board chair from 2021-2023, and will remain in the role of past chair for one more year on the Board. “Laura has led the Board through a successful transition for BSM with the appointment of Danielle as the school’s new president,” Lynch said, “I am extremely grateful for her dedicated and compassionate leadership as board chair.”

The four new directors named to the Board include Lance Butner, Martha Long, Miquel Purvis McMoore ’89, and Armando Mojica ’86. They succeed Ann Ruff ’73, Jason Matz, Perry Schmidt, and John Vonhof ’86 who completed their service with the 2022-2023 school year. 

“The Board serves the community through oversight and governance to ensure BSM is meeting the objectives of our strategic plan today and is well-resourced to achieve its goals in the future,” Lynch explained, adding, “Ann, Jason, Perry, and John have been outstanding contributors with a passion for BSM and its mission to empower, educate and inspire learners within a Catholic community. It has been a pleasure to work with each of them and we are thankful for their service to our school.”

The new directors began their three-year terms on July 1, 2023. Read more about the current Board of Directors and the Board governance.

About the New Board Members

Brother Michael Kadow, FSC is a graduate of St. Mary’s University, Winona, MN and Loyola University of Chicago. He has been a De La Salle Christian Brother for over forty years, having served in middle and high schools in Illinois as a teacher and administrator. In particular, Br Michael served as executive director for the John XXIII Educational Center in Chicago and in leadership roles for the Midwest District of De La Salle Christian Brothers.

Having just moved to the Twin Cities, Br. Michael is getting settled into the Christian Brothers community life here and looks forward to becoming more acquainted with the BSM community. "I have visited classes at BSM a number of times a few years ago, and am excited to learn more about today's school community, and helping encourage the development of the Lasallian Spirit at BSM."

Sister Cathy Steffens, CSJ is a 1962 graduate of St. Margaret’s Academy and member of the Sisters of St. Joseph community in St. Paul. Sr. Cathy previously taught in Catholic elementary schools in Minnesota and North Dakota and was assistant principal at Carondelet School, Minneapolis. She served for many years as co-director of campus ministry at St. Catherine University and was most recently on the province leadership team of the Sisters of St Joseph.

Sr. Cathy has served in a variety of additional roles including leader of Justice Outreach trips for college students, director of group retreats and private spiritual guidance, and pilgrimage guide to LePuy, France, where the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph was founded in 1650. Sr. Cathy is excited to catch up with life at BSM, having been involved in plays, dances, and choirs while a student at the original St. Margaret’s location in downtown Minneapolis for two years and for her final two years at the “new” campus in Kenwood. “How exciting to help forward the wonderful combined work of Benilde-St. Margaret’s.”

Lance Butner, a resident of Eden Prairie, is married to Mary, an alum of the Class of 1985, and father to four BSM alumna and current students who all dance: Maddie ’21, Lily ’23, Casey ’25, and Sadie ’28.

He has served on the BSM Advancement Committee since 2020 and been an assistant coach for the BSM boys’ golf team for five years.

As CEO of Consilium Wealth Group, Butner has been a financial planner since 1990. He and his family are members of St. Hubert Catholic Church, Chanhassen, MN, and is excited to further the school’s goals. “I want to assist in any way I can to continue and help implement the mission of BSM.” 

Martha Long, a resident of Medina, has been active in the BSM community since 2016, serving in a variety of roles with the BSM Parent Association, most recently as treasurer, and chairing PA events to support the school. Long has also been very active with the BSM girls’ and boys’ swim teams as Ryan ’22 and Elizabeth ’24 have swam competitively for BSM. Long and her husband Bill have two older daughters, Allison and Naomi who graduated from Wayzata High School.

An accountant, Long has worked for major international corporations, most recently at Jones Lang LaSalle after a 16-year hiatus to raise her children. Long and her family are members of Holy Name of Jesus Church, Wayzata, MN where she has chaired the liturgical environment committee which has allowed her to be active and contribute to the spiritual life of the parish. Long is passionate about volunteering and making meaningful contributions to society and is especially looking forward to participating in two parish-run mission trips: to Cuba in 2024 and Ethiopia in 2025. “It is a tremendous honor to be part of the exceptional BSM community. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to serve on the board and aspire to make a positive impact in the lives of our students and the BSM community.”

Miquel Purvis McMoore ’89, a resident of Golden Valley, is a BSM alum, Class of ’89 and mother of McKenzie McMoore ’25. McMoore has been involved in the BSM community since 2021, serving most recently on the Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging committee. 

McMoore has spent most of her career leading kpCompanies, a national executive search, and interim professional services firm. Outside of her involvement at BSM, she serves on the board of directors at Summit Academy OIC, Mpls Regional Chamber, and the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Additionally, she is a member of the U of M's, Carlson School of Business women's advisory board.

McMoore is an accomplished professional, a dedicated Christian, and an active member of the BSM community. With her background in executive search and her involvement in various nonprofit organizations, she brings valuable perspectives and experience to contribute to the governance and continued success of Benilde-St. Margaret's School.

As a parent of a BSM student, McMoore is passionate about supporting the school and being actively engaged in its activities. "I am proud to see my daughter flourishing at BSM and benefiting from the various opportunities the school provides, especially for showcasing her innate leadership skills."

Armando Mojica ’86, a resident of Plymouth, is a BSM alum, Class of 1986. He and his wife Ria are parents of Luis ’19, Nadya ’20, and Bianca ’23. Mojica has served on the Strategic Planning Committee since 2021 and attends every BSM theater production since his children participated in productions while students. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and has a Masters in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Currently, he serves as Chief Operating Officer at EETech, a media, digital presence and data focused company. He and Ria also co-own Engineering for Kids Minneapolis, an organization providing STEM-based activities, camps, and programs. The Mojicas support the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Pinkyswear, and Blue Water Theatre in Wayzata. He and his family are members of Holy Name of Jesus Church, Wayzata, MN.

“The BSM Community has been an integral part of my life,” Mojica said, “Even after living overseas for 15 years, I immediately connected with the BSM community and it has now become a passion for me to help BSM be the best it can be.”