Alumni Board

The Cretin-Derham Hall Alumni Board is an organization whose mission is to foster spirit and a lifelong relationship between alumni and the school. The board strives to promote the goals of the school and to encourage programs of interaction between students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

Board Members

The Cretin-Derham Hall Alumni Board is a group of active alums. Representatives from each of our schools, Cretin, Derham Hall, and Cretin-Derham Hall make up the board. The board meets bi-monthly throughout the year.

  • Board members are  encouraged to attend CDH events and all board meetings.
  • Board members are ambassadors for our school.
  • They represent our core values at Cretin-Derham Hall.

The President serves a two-year term

President - Megan Fee Smith '00
Vice Chair - Brian Nalipinski '96
Secretary - Lindsay Miesbauer Wilhelmy ’99

Past President - Tim Garcia '85

Board Members

Tom Troskey '63, Barb Wylie Thompson '61, Mary McGuire Lynch '85, John Samec '03, Brian Nalipinski '96, Christian Brandt '97, Lindsay Miesbauer Wilhelmy ’99, Scott Anderson ’84, Steve Altier ’86, Laure Waschbusch '84, Peggy Gartland Schafer '79

What it means to be an Alumni Board Member

Position Summary

The CDH Alumni Board is creating pathways for dynamic engagement opportunities that connect alumni to one another and to Cretin-Derham Hall.

As a member of the CDH Alumni Board:

1. Must make a contribution to Annual Giving at Cretin-Derham Hall.

2. Help activate and engage alumni by planning and executing networking, fundraising, social, and volunteer events.

3. Attend bi-monthly meetings on campus. Time spent outside of meetings will consist of serving on an event.

4. Attend and promote our events at Cretin-Derham Hall. Including A Taste of CDH, Community Awards, Alumni Leaders in the Classroom, Gala, Athletic Hall of Fame.

Qualifications:

Positive attitude: must be willing to respectfully discuss ideas and opinions.

Collaborative spirit: must work with CDH staff and alumni of all backgrounds toward common goals.

Leadership: must be willing to work in smaller groups or as individuals to lead various projects & initiatives.

CDH Values: must comply with all program policies and procedures of CDH and the mission of the school. Cretin-Derham Hall is a Catholic, co-educational high school co-sponsored by the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, committed to Christian values and academic excellence in grades nine through twelve. We will educate young men and women of diverse abilities, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds for opportunities in post-secondary education.

 Catholic, Academic, Leadership,
Community, Service, Diversity, Equity

Benefits: Develop leadership experiences and skills. Enjoy networking opportunities with Cretin, Derham Hall and Cretin-Derham Hall alumni of all ages. Remain engaged with CDH and its surrounding communities.

Meet our Alumni Board

Megan Fee Smith '00


Board President


Undergraduate Degree: University of St. Thomas, English (2004)
Graduate Degree: University of St. Thomas, English (2006)
Graduate Degree: University of St. Thomas, Teacher Education (in process)

Spouse: Wally Smith

Children: Colin, Fiona Smith

My experiences in education were founded in the academic excellence that I received at Cretin-Derham Hall. After graduating from CDH in 2000, I attended the University of Saint Thomas, where I received both a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in English. I am also completing a Master of Arts degree in Teacher Education. Currently, I teach Language Arts and Rhetoric at a local K-12 school.

As a teacher, I have grown in appreciation of the instruction and preparation provided by my teachers at CDH. I enjoy working with the CDH Alumni Association and meeting graduates from Cretin, Derham Hall, and Cretin-Derham Hall. Our shared experiences join all of us to form a community that promotes the goals of the school. We work with various alumni and campus groups to provide opportunities that allow alumni to reflect on their past, create connections in the present, and build important, meaningful relationships that continue to strengthen their bond with the CDH community into the future.


Brian Nalipinski '96


Board Vice Chair


Spouse: Jessica

Children: my daughter (Class of '29), our twin boys (Class of '35), and infant son (Class of '37).

I was born and raised in Shoreview, and attended St. Rose of Lima in Roseville. I graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall in 1996, and then received my degree in business from St. Mary’s University in Winona 2000.

I am forever grateful to CDH for the education and values they instilled in me. My four years at CDH were full of memories and experiences that I will always cherish. Mr. Horyza, to this day, is someone I consider to be one of the most influential teachers/mentors I have been blessed to be around. He pushed me to believe in myself.

I have been a part of the Dairy Queen system since I was 15-years-old. I had been traveling and working all over the country for more than 25 years with DQ (working for both corporate as well as franchisees) before 2009, when I finally took the plunge and purchased my own location in Morris, Minnesota.  
Today I live in Hugo with my family.


Lindsay Miesbauer Wilhelmy '99


Board Secretary


Undergraduate Degree: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Class of 2003 - Human Services and Spanish
Graduate Degree: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Class of 2008 - Marriage and Family Therapy
Occupation: Children’s Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Therapist at Washburn Center for Children

Spouse: Dustin

I have a deep appreciation for the education I received at CDH, my experience playing softball, and the friendships I formed along the way. I valued the variety of activities available to me, the academic support that prepared me for college and beyond, and the close-knit community. Working with the Alumni Association allows me to continue to be part of the CDH Community and give back to this family that gave so much to me.

Tim Garcia '85


Past President

College: University of St. Thomas - Criminal Justice
Analyst for Optum – UnitedHealthcare

Spouse: Shelly (Archbishop Brady High School ’85)

Child: Josh '20

I’ve always liked the community aspect of Cretin/CDH both as a student and now as an alumnus – it makes you feel part of something special. The experience of attending Cretin High School was great; it still is a special place for me. 

The experience of playing football, basketball, and baseball and being a captain of those teams gives me some great memories and I continue to support those teams today. However the number one thing for me about Cretin/CDH is the great people I met along the way — the teachers, coaches, parents, and most of all, the great friends I still have to this day.

Steve Altier '86

Board Member

Undergraduate Degree: St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Class of 1991- Biology, Nuclear Medicine
Graduate Degree: University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management Class of 2006 - MBA
Executive Management Consultant, Healthcare and Healthcare Information Technology

Spouse: Katie

Children: Alli ’16, Grace ’18, Charles ’21

Cretin and Derham Hall provided some of my greatest memories as a teenager and as a parent of current students. I believe that an education from Cretin/CDH prepares students extremely well as they continue their education or next steps in life. I have seen firsthand what CDH has done for my own children, and if I can give back just a little to help someone else, that is my goal. I hope that others will see what this great school has to offer and being a part of the Alumni Association keeps me involved in a community like no other. 

Scott Anderson '84

Board Member


College: Bemidji State University Class of 1989 – Business Administration
Account Manager for Hallmark Greeting Cards

Spouse: Kimberly (Cretin Senior Prom date)

Children: Laurel '14 and John '20

I’ve always valued the academic, religious, and social education I received at Cretin. It's been a goal of mine to one day help give back to the school. As a parent of two CDH students I see the true value of the education that CDH continues to provide. Working with the Alumni Association allows me to still feel part of the Cretin-Derham Community.

Christian Brandt '97

Board Member


I graduated in 2001 from Marquette University, and 2007 from Hamline University School of Law. During my senior year at CDH I took a service trip to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Americus, GA. The experience stayed with me, as I spent my first year-plus after college working with Habitat as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Americus and Baltimore.

After law school, I had the great privilege of clerking for a Ramsey County District Court Judge. Since then, I've spent several years in private practice and am currently Corporate Counsel at APi Group, Inc. I am grateful to be able to say that my best friends at CDH remain some of my best friends to this day.

Peggy Gartland Schafer '79

Board Member


1983 – graduated from St. Thomas University (formerly college)
1983-2003 – First Bank Saint Paul Investments and then became US Bancorp Investments
2003-2011 – Various part-time jobs and full-time Mom
2011-present – Cretin-Derham Hall Advancement and Alumni Associate

Spouse: Brad Schafer (married since 1987)

Children: Joe ’08, Ellen ’10, and Carrie ’14 Schafer

I very much enjoy working at Cretin-Derham Hall. It is a wonderful school and a great place to work. I enjoy the energy that being in a vibrant school brings and I enjoy meeting all of the alums that I encounter every day.

Mary McGuire Lynch '85

Board Member


After college, my husband and I settled in St. Paul to raise our family. I have been involved with the Sisters of St. Joseph and supporting CDH since we settled back in. My children have all attended CDH — two graduated and one still attending. I run an interior design firm in St. Paul and love helping out at the school when I can. 

John Samec '03

Board Member


After graduating from CDH, I studied Scientific and Technical Communication at the University of Minnesota. I currently work in the fast-paced development of medical devices, writing Operator’s Manuals, and creating product labeling. Passionate about helping people and new technology, it is a natural fit.

In my free time, I like working on cars, going to concerts, Wild and Twins games, volunteering on the PACER Young Professionals Board, and spending time on the water in Crosslake, MN. My favorite hotspots are: Gopher football tailgates (Lot 37), Las Vegas, and Sarasota, FL. I currently reside in Mendota Heights near family and friends.

Tom Troskey '63

Board Member


Spouse: Linda '67


Children: Anne '96 and Stephen '02



After college, I was employed by three companies: 
1) Gillette Co. - four years as Production Supervisor
2) Greif Brothers Corp. - two years as Administration Manager
3) Waldorf/RockTenn Co. - 37 years as Recycling Manager with responsibilities revolving around the operational and political functions required to expand recycling within our company. I retired in 2011.



I have been very fortunate to be connected for many years with Cretin/CDH. Beginning as a student, then as an alumni association member, and then as a parent of CDH students.

Laure Waschbusch, MD, FACOG '84


Board Member



My undergrad degree was in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University. Then it was on to medical school at the University of Minnesota. Finally, I completed my OB-Gyn residency at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Directly out of residency, I joined Partners OB-Gyn and have spent my entire career with our group.

I have spent many years working in collaboration with the HealthEast care system. I started out heading up peer review then was elected OB department chair for two terms.

I am finishing up my sixth year as President of the HealthEast medical staff and I also sit on the HealthEast board of directors. I have learned a lot about heath care policy and am committed to being part of shaping policy that keeps patients first and continually improves health care quality. I guess my motto would be: to whom much is given much is expected.



I am a breast cancer survivor, so I know the struggles with dealing with the medical system from both sides. I believe this drives my passion for advocating for patients. I was very lucky to have so much support from my patients as well as my friends and family.

Barb Wylie Thompson '61

Board Member


I grew up in St. Mark's parish in St. Paul, and went to Derham Hall High School when it was all girls and was located on the campus of St. Catherine University. We had 46 students in our class, and I still see many of the friends that I made there.

I graduated from St. Catherine University, and taught Health and Phy. Ed. at Burnsville High school. I later worked and taught for 20 years at St. Catherine University in the Teacher Education Program. I am married and raised three children and am blessed with four grandchildren. I am dedicated to the mission of Cretin-Derham Hall, and to the tradition of providing me and all alums with an excellent education.

Come Join Us

We are always looking for alums who share the same common interest – Cretin-Derham Hall!

Questions?

Please contact Michlyn Vogel Walsh '92, CDH Advancement Associate and Alumni Relations, or call 651-696-3335.