Schedule a call

About Us

sursum (adv.); up, upwards

Sursum Consulting partners with Catholic organizations as they rise to greater heights by incorporating proven approaches in development, talent management, and leadership strategies to enhance mission-driven engagement. We serve clients globally as non-profit consultants with expertise in fundraising and talent strategies.

Sursum sun burst graphic light

Mission

We exist to build leadership resources and grow financial health within Catholic organizations so that they can fulfill their missions and contribute to the long-term vitality of the Church.

Our Story

For over two decades, we've been at the forefront of partnering with renowned Catholic organizations, equipping and empowering them to fulfill their mission. We help organizations reach new levels by focusing on growth planning, capital raising, and expanding community engagement.

Sursum Consulting was born out of a profound dedication to serving Catholic organizations, and the choice of name reflects this commitment. 'Sursum,' a Latin term meaning 'upward,' embodies our mission: to uplift Catholic institutions, guiding them towards their highest potential. At Sursum Consulting, we are faithful to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. We see our work as a call to ascend, assisting Catholic entities in their journey toward greater growth, impact, and service to communities. The name Sursum Consulting encapsulates our purpose, faith, and unwavering commitment to the organizations we are privileged to serve.

With years of experience in philanthropy, our knowledgeable team creates unparalleled value for clients. From understanding the mission, listening to the vision, developing a strategic path forward, and implementing an executable plan to achieve it, we're dedicated to our client's success at every step. Our holistic approach and breadth of services equip organizations to make a lasting impact.

Sharon meeting with group of clergy
Sharon speaking at a leadership panel

Meet Our Team

Sharon headshot

Sharon Kucia

CEO

Sharon is a seasoned strategic leader with extensive experience driving business growth and development across both for-profit and nonprofit organizations over the past two decades. She has a proven track record of providing strategic vision and expertise to support impactful philanthropic initiatives and communication strategies while ensuring alignment with organizational mission and values. As a dedicated professional recognized for developing, recruiting, and training high-performing teams to achieve objectives, Sharon assists leaders in developing strategic plans to encourage long-term organizational health, growth, and transformation. She thrives in fast-paced consulting environments and enjoys helping clients create customized solutions for complex business issues.

Sharon has served in executive leadership positions within her last two consulting firms. With most of her career spent at the intersection of business and faith, she has utilized her development and management skills to support the Church.

Sharon and her husband, Eric, attend St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. In their personal time they enjoy traveling, cooking, exercising, and wine tasting.

Education

  • Boston College, B.A., Political Science
  • Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and The Fund Raising School

Community Involvement

  • Charlotte Chapter of Legatus, Founding President and Member 
  • St. Joseph College Seminary Board Member
  • Young Catholic Professionals – Charlotte Chapter, Board Chair 

Dave Cook

Vice President

Learn more
Howard headshot

Howard Craig

Consultant

Learn more

Patrick Diener

Vice President

Learn more
Wayne headshot

Wayne Mueller

Consultant

Learn more
Jennifer headshot

Jennifer Parker

Consultant

Learn more

Let’s Get Started in 3 Easy Steps

We can’t wait to hear about your organization and goals!

Schedule a call
01

Let’s talk so we can learn more about your needs.

02

If we’re a good fit, we’ll recommend the next steps in the project.

03

We’ll get started to help your organization achieve its goals.

X

About Dave

Dave Cook is an entrepreneurial non-profit leader devoted to helping missions reach their full potential. He has served in myriad executive and development roles over a 20-year career. He is animated by his faith and enjoys exploring new and creative ways to promote human flourishing.

Dave is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a bachelors in mathematics and philosophy. He later attained an MBA at George Mason University. Throughout his career, he has applied best practices in entrepreneurship and business to the non-profit world. As Director of Programs at the Youth Leadership Foundation, he more than doubled program capacity and helped YLF be recognized as one of the “Best Non-Profits in the Greater Washington Area” by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. He went on to serve as Executive Director for YLF, establishing the organization’s first annual giving program and securing coverage for YLF’s programs on national television.

Dave’s first foray into the diocesan world was as Director of Operations and Stewardship for a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Overseeing all the temporal activities of the church and school, Dave expanded ministry volunteerism, improved school enrollment and initiated multiple capital improvement projects, among other managerial duties. Eventually, Dave moved across the Potomac River to become Director of the Annual Appeal for the Archdiocese of Washington, where he navigated the covid-19 pandemic through novel digital and integrated marketing forms of donor outreach, inspiring nearly 30,000 gifts and $11 million in donations per year from the local faithful to support archdiocesan ministries. He then expanded his horizons internationally, serving as Executive Director for World Villages for Children, the North American development arm of the Sisters of Mary of Banneux, a religious order committed to lifting children out of poverty.

Dave’s past volunteer service includes membership on the Diocese of Arlington Pastoral Council, the Board of Directors for the International Catholic Stewardship Council and the Board of Directors for the Youth Leadership Foundation. He currently serves as Finance Council Chair for Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He is also a Knight of Columbus, Eucharistic adorer, lector, basketball coach and men’s group leader at his parish. Dave is a devoted husband and father of six children. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing basketball and golf, and watching his beloved Fighting Irish on TV on Fall Saturdays.

 

Education

  • Notre Dame, M.S., Mathematics & Philosophy
  • George Mason University, MBA

Community Involvement

  • Youth Leadership Foundation – Director of Programs
  • World Villages for Children, Executive Director
X

About Howard

Howard Craig enjoyed a 40+ year career in Christian ministry, including 13 years as a missionary in Thailand. Following his missionary service, Howard gleaned management and communication expertise as the Executive Vice President for Guaranteed Marketing Solutions (GMS). He grew the company to $12 million in annual revenue before resigning to join RSI, a consulting firm that provided stewardship services to the Church.

He joined RSI as a Senior Executive Consultant in 2001 and later was appointed Vice President of Mission Advancement Services with O’Meara, Ferguson, Whelan and Conway. During his tenure, he was the Capital Campaign Project Manager for three diocesan-wide capital campaigns in the Archdioceses of Milwaukee, Detroit, and later Chicago.

From 2014 to January 2017, he served in a more institutional capacity as the Vice President for Advancement for the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus. As the Vice President of Development for the Midwest Jesuits, he led a team of 12 fundraising professionals to raise support for the mission of the Jesuits throughout twelve states of the upper Midwest USA, East Africa, and Peru. In 2017, Howard accepted a position as the Director of the Nonprofit Practice Group for Inveniam Capital Partners, a financial firm dedicated to assisting small and medium businesses and non-profits with fundraising and gaining access to capital in the marketplace. In 2018, he also served as the Vice President of Development for Beyond, an ecumenical mission organization.

During the past 18 years, Howard has led over 175 successful church and church stewardship campaigns in 33 states and raised over $360 million.

Howard and his wife, Cheryl, are parishioners at St. Joseph Parish in Fort Worth, Texas.

Education

  • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, MDiv
  • Oklahoma Baptist University, B.A, Religion and Psychology
X

About PATRICK

Patrick Diener is a dynamic leader with a diverse background in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Patrick has successfully driven growth for organizations ranging from international NGOs to small Catholic parishes, delivering strategic solutions that align with mission, values, and long-term sustainability. Recognized for his innovative approach to fundraising and business development—rooted in both theology and psychology—Patrick brings a deep understanding of how faith and philanthropy intersect, ensuring that all initiatives are mission-driven and spiritually grounded.

Patrick has held several executive leadership roles, both in consulting and leading fundraising operations for a variety of successful nonprofits. From spearheading large diocesan and university capital campaigns to managing the fundraising at multiple nonprofit organizations, Patrick has consistently delivered strong outcomes. His expertise in building and training high-performing teams has enabled organizations to surpass fundraising goals, secure major gifts, and strengthen long-term donor relationships. Patrick’s hands-on leadership style and strategic vision have empowered nonprofits to grow in scale, mission impact, and financial sustainability.

Additionally, Patrick founded the Institute for Catholic Philanthropy at the University of Mary, a pioneering certificate and MBA program that equips Catholic fundraising professionals with the tools they need for success, rooting best practices in philanthropy within the Catholic faith. This program is recognized for providing fundraisers with a deep, faith-based approach while delivering practical skills that align with the unique needs of Catholic organizations.

Patrick resides in Cheshire, CT with his wife Kathryn and their six children.  They are active parishioners at Blessed Michael McGivney Parish in New Haven. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys skiing, photography, and running an amateur sugaring operation on his historic micro-farm.

Education

  • UNC Charlotte, B.A., Anthropology
  • Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family Studies at the Catholic University of America, M.T.S., Sacred Theology
  • University of Southern Mississippi, Post Grad Studies, Systems Theory
    Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
  • Master Trainer
    Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)

Community Involvement

  • Legatus Member, Fairfield CT Chapter

  • Member, Council 1, Knights of Columbus  

     

X

About Wayne

Wayne loves the deep mystery and beauty of the Catholic faith and is passionate about efforts that support the dignity of life and nuclear family and promote the Eucharist. He believes vibrant Catholic schools play a unique and irreplaceable role in these efforts.

​After a 12-year banking career, Wayne joined the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools (GTACS) in 2004 as the Director of Advancement. In this role, Wayne is responsible for all aspects of fundraising, including major gift relationships, annual giving and events, capital campaigns, and planned giving. He also functions as the Executive Director of the GTACS Foundation, which maintains over $7 million of endowed assets and real estate.

​During the past decade, Wayne has worked to create a mission-focused fundraising culture, discovering unique ways to generate deeper donor relationships and multi-year pledges. These efforts have resulted in consistent annual fundraising revenue of $1 million.

Wayne led a successful 7-year, $16 million capital campaign to create a new Immaculate Conception Elementary School campus. This campus opened in 2019 and currently enrolls over 600 students from preschool through 5th grade.​

Wayne has been a key team member for a robust strategic planning team for 15 years. This team engages in a disciplined annual process that consistently improves all facets of the school culture, including spiritual, academic, and financial.

Wayne has been married for over 25 years to a wonderful wife, Heidi. He is the proud father of Benjamin, Owen, Joshua, Lauren, and Elijah. He enjoys fishing, hiking, travel, and biking.

Education

  • Bowling Green State University, B.S., Finance

Community Involvement

  • Northern Michigan Catholic Foundation, Director
X

About Jennifer

As a fundraising leader, Jennifer has over 20 years of advancement services, fundraising, and alumni/donor relations experience with religious and educational non-profits, including 15 years in higher education.

As an experienced advancement professional, she has a depth of experience in fundraising leadership, personal solicitation, and developing and implementing programs and activities designed to secure financial support. She is well-versed in capital campaigns, annual giving, planned giving, and advancement services operations.

Jennifer has worked with religious communities, Catholic dioceses, Catholic colleges, universities, and high schools. She has also served on many non-profit boards and volunteered to assist in improving advancement efforts. She has increased fundraising goals and consistently led clients in strategic planning to reach those goals. Jennifer’s most recent assignment was working with the Franciscan Sisters, TOR. During her time with them, she increased fundraising goals by 22.1% and consistently met those goals, increased the number of monthly donors by 128% in less than 3 years, and re-engaged 37% of lapsed donors (since 2010). Additionally, she created a mission advancement office structure and developed and implemented a policies and procedure manual for the entire mission advancement department. 

Jennifer served as a consultant for The Pelican Group, advising clients on fundraising campaigns and arranging project financing. She worked on the consulting team that led the strategy for a three-phased strategic and capital campaign plan totaling $272 million at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Jennifer was instrumental in raising funds for their silent portion of the campaign. She built a comprehensive advancement and alumni relations program for Madonna High School, a Catholic High School in the West Virginia panhandle. She increased the donor database by 38%, increased the number of first-time donors by 165%, and exceeded the annual fund goal by over 40%.

Education

  • Franciscan University, M.S., Education and Business Administration
  • Chestnut Hill College, B.S., Economics

Community Involvement

  • Steubenville Catholic High School – Strategic Planning Committee, Member
  • Sacred Heart Center of Hope, Board Member