The Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania staff assists with investment strategies that support Catholic values and donor intent. It is staffed by experienced community-engagement, fundraising, non-profit professionals from business, education, and philanthropic sectors. They are uniquely qualified to assist donors and the organizations they care about in the financial investment, legal, charitable foundations, and Catholic communities.
Pete Waldron, President
Pete Waldron has served as President of the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania since September 2017. During the past five years, the Catholic Foundation has grown under his leadership adding more than 100 new endowment funds and 65 new donor partners.
He has worked for more than 30 years in community involvement, marketing communications and promotions, and advertising and sponsorship sales. His project management experience includes a variety of sectors in energy and petroleum, consumer products, newspapers, government/public service, economic development, and non-profit and charitable foundations. Prior to starting with the Catholic Foundation, Pete headed up Corporate Citizenship & Philanthropy for Cross America Partners. He has served as an appointed government official for the County of Lehigh, a national marketing consultant for The Hershey Company, and in editorial, public relations and advertising posts at The Morning Call newspapers.
Pete has held volunteer leadership positions on a variety of non-profit boards
and development committees and has assisted many Catholic organizations in their fundraising efforts including: St. Thomas More School, Allentown Central Catholic High School (ACCHS), Mercy School, and Cay Galgon Life House. He currently serves on the following board of directors: PBS39 Foundation (Secretary), IABC Lehigh Valley (Past President), Cultural Coalition in Downtown Allentown, and the Pennsylvania Lambda Educational Foundation (President). Pete was also involved in the creation of multiple 501 (c )3 charitable foundations including the Lehigh Gas Foundation and the Cross America Partners Foundation, serving as Vice President and Executive Director for both.
He is a graduate of Penn State. Pete and his wife Terese are members of St. Thomas More Parish, Allentown.
Deborah Kipp, Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving
As Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving, Deb Kipp oversees the Partner Program for the Catholic Foundation. She works with the Foundation’s partners to help them market and grow their endowment funds.
Deb has more than 24 years of fundraising experience focused on endowments, capital gifts and planned giving. Prior to her position at the Catholic Foundation, she was the Senior Associate Vice President of Development for Muhlenberg College where she was a principal gift officer while managing a talented leadership, planned giving and foundation/corporate relations team.
Deb received the College’s Chairman’s Award for her efforts towards the successful conclusion of several campaigns. The Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognized her with their Executive Fundraiser Award for her professional accomplishments and donor centeredness.
Deb received a M.Ed. in Counseling from Kutztown University. She is a sustaining Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a coveted credential reflecting application of ethical best practices in fundraising.
Deb is a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena parish in Allentown, where she serves on the parish finance committee, as a lector and as a member of the Women’s Alliance. She also volunteers on the Wildlands Conservancy‘s development committee, the Muhlenberg College Board of Associates and for Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Lisa Geosits, Director of Donation Relations
Lisa Geosits, EdD is the Director of Donor Relations for the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania. Lisa manages and stewards the ongoing relationship, information sharing, and communication efforts with the Foundation partners and donors.
Through her conviction to provide a positive future for Catholic organizations, she inspires others to support the mission of Catholic institutions. With a focus on long-term sustainability, her commitment involves the introduction and implementation of a variety of innovative marketing programs and activities that promote faith, community, and partnerships. Prior to Lisa joining the Catholic Foundation team, she was the Director of School Advancement at St. Joseph the Worker School, where she expanded the marketing and development efforts.
Lisa received the National Catholic Education Associations Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award for her leadership and promotion of Catholic education. The Healey Foundation has also recognized Lisa for her enrollment accomplishments.
Lisa received her Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Abilene Christian University. She is a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish where she has served on various parish committees. Lisa also serves as the current Chair of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown.