Meet the Xavier Foundation Team!

Chris McCarville is a 1997 Regis High School alumnus and former Xavier High School teacher and administrator who brings a wealth of successful Catholic development and school-oriented experience to his role as President.

Chris was named Xavier's President in 2019. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Iowa in Des Moines, where he has served since 2016. While there, McCarville led the organization through a comprehensive strategic planning process and helped grow the Foundation’s total assets under management. He also cultivated positive relationships with pastors and school leaders within the Diocese of Des Moines.

Prior to his time in Des Moines, Chris served as the Director of Institutional Development at Holy Family Catholic Schools in Dubuque, Iowa. During his time there, he was responsible for all aspects of a major capital campaign to renovate Wahlert Catholic High School.  Before his time at Holy Family, Chris served as the Director of Constituent Relations at Jesuit Preparatory School of Dallas in Dallas, Texas, where he organized various events and helped to raise significant funds in a major capital campaign for the school.

Chris also served in various capacities at Xavier High School from 2002-2008, including serving as a theology teacher in all of those years and Associate Dean of Students during the 2007-2008 school year.

He is a 2001 graduate of Mount Mercy College where he earned his bachelor’s degree in History. In 2008, he earned his Master of Arts in Educational Leadership/Principalship from the University of Northern Iowa.

Email: c[email protected] | Phone: 319-378-4571

Katie Dostal joined the Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation in April 2025. Katie previously served as the Associate Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement at Coe College; where she played a key role in advancing the institution’s philanthropic initiatives. Her expertise in event management, donor relations and strategic communications will be instrumental in furthering the mission of the Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation and supporting its many initiatives throughout the year.

An active member of the All Saints community, Katie has served as Chair of the Walk-a-Thon and is a member of the MOMs group. Beyond Xavier, she is dedicated to supporting the broader community as a board member for the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation and an alumni of the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance Leadership for Five Seasons.  

Katie earned her undergraduate degree from Coe College and her Masters of Organizational Leadership from St. Ambrose University. Katie and her husband, Brette, have two children: A daughter who will be attending Creighton University in the fall and a son currently enrolled in Xavier Catholic Schools.


Email: katie.dostal@crxcs.org | Phone: 319-378-4571 

Amy Thuente joined the Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation as our Campaign and Marketing Manager in 2020. Amy uses her wide variety of skills and expertise to advance the mission of the Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation and its many initiatives and events throughout the year. 

A dedicated member of the St. Matthew community, Amy has served as President of the St. Matthew Board of Education, a member of the St. Matthew Pastoral Council, a classroom volunteer, a member of the Fall Fest Committee, and a contributor to the Middle School Exploratory Committee.

Professionally, she brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, marketing, event management, and fundraising, having previously worked as the Marketing and Community Outreach Director for KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette.

Amy and her husband, Eric, have four children at Xavier Catholic Schools.

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 319-378-4571

Erica Huk joined the Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation in 2024 as the Database Manager and Department Admin. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise in database systems will help further streamline operations, enhance donor engagement, and support the foundation's mission of advancing Catholic education through efficient and impactful data management.

Erica comes to the Foundation from Coe College, where she previously served as the Director of Operations and Systems Administrator for the admission office since 2011.

Erica and her husband, Zachary, have two-elementary aged children who attend All Saints.

Email: erica.huk@crxcs.org | Phone: 319-378-4571

Kathleen Bean joined the Xavier Catholic Schools Foundation as a part-time Events Coordinator in 2024. With Kathleen's years of experience in events management and fundraising, she will oversee events such as Dancing with the Saints, the annual donor reception, Grandparents Mass, Alumni Basketball Tournament and Memorial Mass, to name a few. She will also work to improve alumni relations by organizing engaging events, and creating opportunities for alumni to stay involved and support the Xavier Catholic Schools community.

In addition to her many years of serving on XPX and other parent-led groups, Kathleen is a substitute teacher in our Xavier Catholic Schools, bringing her deep connection to the community and passion for Catholic education to her new role. 

Email: kathleen.bean@crxcs.org | Phone: 319-378-4571

Nick Ireland is a 2001 graduate of Xavier High School and serves as the Communications Director for Xavier High School and the Xavier Foundation. In his role, he oversees many of Xavier's external/internal communication and evangelization efforts (including some K-12 Xavier Catholic Schools initiatives). Nick brings a dynamic range of technical skills to Xavier in the arenas of media, publication, graphic design, marketing, branding, public relations, production, public speaking, web design, entertainment, event coordination, creativity and vision. Nick is happy to be able to blend his skills with his passion for Xavier and Catholic education.

Prior to his arrival at Xavier in 2013, Nick served as the Communications/Marketing Director for Premier Media in Marion from 2008-2013. Before that, he worked for the marketing department at Transamerica Life Insurance Company in Cedar Rapids as a graphic designer/artist and copywriter, serving multiple marketing organizations and brands within the umbrella company. 

In addition to his roles at our Xavier Catholic Schools, Nick also works part time as a DJ for various area events and weddings. He also enjoys serving as a volunteer coach for youth sports his children are involved in.

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 319-378-4571