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Diocese of Shreveport Welcomes New Director of Development, Mike Oppelt
The Diocese of Shreveport Welcomes New Director of Development, Mike Oppelt
Kierstin Richter, Editor & Public Relations Director
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THE DIOCESE OF Shreveport is proud to welcome Mike Oppelt as our new Director of Development. Oppelt comes to us from Indianapolis, Indiana, where he previously served as owner and president for the Communicators of Indiana - Consulting. He also served as president and CEO of Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Oppelt has a strong background in non-profit fundraising and development, as well as extensive experience working within the Church as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement for the Westside Deanery School System within the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, as well as Our Lady of Providence High School as Director of Development and Institutional Advancement.
Oppelt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as post-graduate work at The Disney Institute for Customer Service in Orlando and at Indiana Purdue University. His passion for education continued as he held an adjunct professor position at Bellarmine University, teaching courses on Fundraising Principles and Techniques. He also served as Director of Development for the Louisville Orchestra, and he owned a plant nursery for over eight years! Not only does Oppelt have a passion for non-profit development, but he also has a strong background in service to the addiction recovery system. He holds certifications in Peer Recovery Coaching II, HIV/AIDS counseling, and Recovery Housing Standards.
Oppelt will be spearheading the 2023 Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal this year, raising money for the Diocese of Shreveport to support our many ministries, including those that support our retired and infirmed priests, Hispanic Ministry, Restorative Justice/Prison, and so many other facets of the good work of the Diocese of Shreveport. (As Bishop Malone says, “The gospel is free, but the utilities are not.”)
Everyone please extend a warm welcome to Mike as he joins our Catholic Center team here in Shreveport. Keep him and the future of our diocese in your prayers as he begins his work here.
If you’d like to personally welcome him or have any questions, email him at moppelt@dioshpt.org.
