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 BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR    

                                                   

JOHN B. VEIHMEYER     

   Mr. Veihmeyer was the global chairman of KPMG International, a leading professional services organization operating in over 150 countries. He previously held numerous leadership roles at KPMG, including U.S. Chairman and CEO and managing partner of KPMG’s Washington, D.C., operations. He received a BBA in accounting (cum Laude) from the University of Notre Dame in 1977.

     Mr. Veihmeyer currently serves on the boards of the Ford Motor Co., and the University of Notre Dame, and chairs the boards of the Ladies Professional Golf Association as well as Catholic Charities of Washington, D.C.  He also serves as a senior advisor to Tanium and Zotec, Inc.

     Mr. Veihmeyer has served as a member of the Business Roundtable, as well as the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. He served on the boards of the Financial Accounting Foundation, Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP) Catalyst, the U.S.-India Business Council, and Saint Mary’s College, as well as the executive committee of the Business–Higher Education Forum (BHEF).

     He has been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today magazine and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Corporate Governance by Directorship Magazine. In 2011 he received the CEO Leadership Award from Diversity Best Practices for his commitment to diversity, and in 2013 was honored as “Responsible CEO of the Year” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine.

    Along with his wife, Beth, Mr. Veihmeyer was a driving force behind KPMG’s “Family for Literacy” (KFFL) program. In its 13-year history, KFFL has provided nearly 7 million books to children in need in the U.S., and has now expanded to nearly 20 countries.  The Veihmeyers live in Potomac, Maryland, and have three children.

 

COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR 

                                               
 

KELLY BRANAMAN

Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools

Kelly Branaman has worked for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington since 2003. She has held several positions in the Catholic Schools Office, including roles in special education, curriculum, and various leadership assignments. Ms. Branaman was named Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools in August 2020 by Cardinal Wilton Gregory. Ms. Branaman leads a collaborative and dynamic team of professionals who provide leadership and support to 61 Archdiocesan schools and works closely with 29 independent Catholic Schools across the archdiocese.

As Secretary and Superintendent, Ms. Branaman works to ensure strong Catholic formation and academic excellence for more than 26,000 students. She leads the Cardinal’s vision of creating and maintaining strong Catholic schools in areas of Catholic identity, academic excellence, school enrollment and advancement, governance and strategic planning. In her time in the Archdiocese, Ms. Branaman has supported school leaders to welcome and more effectively educate students with special learning needs and has supported school leaders and educators in enhancing instruction with nationally recognized professional development. She has also led the development and implementation of the first Archdiocesan Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools in 2018. New in her role as Superintendent, Ms.Branaman, along with CSO staff and school leaders, led a successful return to in-person learning and school operations in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Ms. Branaman is most proud of the servant leadership that she has modeled throughout her tenure and the many relationships formed with colleagues, pastors, school leaders, teachers and school staff during her years of service.

Ms. Branaman has received two national awards in Catholic education: the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Sister Catherine T. McNamee, CJS, President’s Award in 2002 for accomplishments in serving the Archdiocese of Louisville. In 2017, Ms. Branaman received the NCEA Lead, Learn, Proclaim Award for her leadership and commitment to Catholic education in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Ms. Branaman recently served as an NCEA committee member to revise the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, which was completed in 2023. Ms. Branaman sits on several archdiocesan school corporate boards, the Catholic Education Foundation Board, and the Cardinal’s Administrative Board and Archdiocesan Board of Education.

Ms. Branaman is originally from Indiana. She has a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in elementary education and special education, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Louisville. Ms. Branaman is also a graduate fellow of the Harvard University Graduate School, Center for Education Policy Research Strategic Data Project.

  PAUL ZURKOWKSI FOUNDER'S AWARD                                    

                                                                

 Posthumously      

TIM TEHAN                              

 Tim Tehan was the oldest of eight children, born and raised in Washington, DC, where he built a remarkable life and career. He and his wife, Lisa, were set to celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary in October. Tim and Lisa met at a sports bar on the Jersey Shore, and he was immediately impressed by her athletic prowess, which has since led to a career in coaching and teaching. They have two daughters: Maggie, a real estate agent in the Washington, DC area, and Katie, who recently graduated at the top of her class from the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

After attending Catholic schools in Montgomery County, Tim pursued higher education at Loyola University of Maryland, where he remained actively involved with the school and its athletic programs.

In 1981, Tim began his career in financial services on the wholesaling side of insurance, with one of his first clients being Wayo Yegen. He later transitioned to the retail side of the business and was part of Wayo’s Triad team for over fifteen years. Tim was dedicated to his clients, becoming a trusted business advisor by genuinely caring about their families and long-term goals.

Outside of work, Tim enjoyed playing golf with family and friends, attending sporting events, and fostering connections to support others' success. He was also deeply committed to his church and community, volunteering his time coaching basketball at St. Jane de Chantal and football at Georgetown Prep. Coach Tehan was truly a man for others.

Those who knew and loved Tim would describe him as generous and loyal, someone who took the time to genuinely connect with everyone he met. Tim will be remembered for his sincere concern for others and his infectious smile.