Board Members
Our board is composed of professionals in the Omaha area who volunteer their time and talent to our ministry. To them, we are deeply grateful!
Kathy Bessmer- Kathy and her husband, Joel, started Strada Healthcare in 2016 because of the growing need for cost-effective and efficient healthcare. Strada is currently Omaha's leading Direct Primary Care provider. Kathy and Joel also have 16 children - 13 biological and 3 adopted. They know the value and meaning of life, children and family, and exemplify that in all that they do. Kathy's expertise as a business woman, pro-life advocate, and homeschool mom is invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Laura Buddenberg - Laura is the Executive Director of Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS) in Omaha, NE. EPS provides care and support to women and families experiencing a crisis pregnancy. Prior to her work at EPS, Laura worked at Boys Town supporting at risk children in a variety of capacities and has great expertise in communications, human resources, advocacy, and non-profit, pro-life issues. Laura's leadership skills and knowledge are invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Tom Carney- Tom Carney works as a fixed-income portfolio manager at Weitz Investment Management, Inc. He is actively involved in apostolates such as Catholic Answers, Spirit Catholic Radio, and Evangelium Institute . Tom is very pro-life and his financial and leadership expertise are invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Dennis O'Toole- Dennis is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a professional accountant at Berger, Elliott and Pritchard CPAs, L.L.C. Dennis is also actively involved in the Knight of Columbus and has served as a board member and leader in a variety of apostolates or educational foundations. His financial and tax expertise are invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Bernie Schaefer- Bernie Schaefer and his family started Heart of a Child Ministries in 2012. Bernie is the Vice President of Development at Spirit Catholic Radio in Omaha, Nebraska. His experience in development and his intimate connection with this ministry makes Bernie an important member of the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Father Damien Wee- Father Damien Wee is originally from Singapore and came to the United States as a missionary priest. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and received his call to be a priest as a young man. Fr. Damien is currently the pastor at St. Francis Borgia parish in Blair, Nebraska. Father Wee has a love for Jesus, for the sacredness of life and a gift of prayer and contemplation. His spiritual direction and leadership is an invaluable blessing to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Laura Buddenberg - Laura is the Executive Director of Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS) in Omaha, NE. EPS provides care and support to women and families experiencing a crisis pregnancy. Prior to her work at EPS, Laura worked at Boys Town supporting at risk children in a variety of capacities and has great expertise in communications, human resources, advocacy, and non-profit, pro-life issues. Laura's leadership skills and knowledge are invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Tom Carney- Tom Carney works as a fixed-income portfolio manager at Weitz Investment Management, Inc. He is actively involved in apostolates such as Catholic Answers, Spirit Catholic Radio, and Evangelium Institute . Tom is very pro-life and his financial and leadership expertise are invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Dennis O'Toole- Dennis is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a professional accountant at Berger, Elliott and Pritchard CPAs, L.L.C. Dennis is also actively involved in the Knight of Columbus and has served as a board member and leader in a variety of apostolates or educational foundations. His financial and tax expertise are invaluable to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Bernie Schaefer- Bernie Schaefer and his family started Heart of a Child Ministries in 2012. Bernie is the Vice President of Development at Spirit Catholic Radio in Omaha, Nebraska. His experience in development and his intimate connection with this ministry makes Bernie an important member of the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.
Father Damien Wee- Father Damien Wee is originally from Singapore and came to the United States as a missionary priest. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and received his call to be a priest as a young man. Fr. Damien is currently the pastor at St. Francis Borgia parish in Blair, Nebraska. Father Wee has a love for Jesus, for the sacredness of life and a gift of prayer and contemplation. His spiritual direction and leadership is an invaluable blessing to the Heart of a Child Ministries' team.