Kellen joins diocesan staff as marketing, development specialist

Feb. 21, 2008

The Diocese of Sioux City welcomed Cari Kellen as the marketing and development specialist on Feb. 11.

She attended Spalding Elementary and High School in Granville, graduating in 1994. She graduated from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in art and mass communications.

Kellen has worked at the Sioux City Journal and at the Fox television station in Sioux City, where she worked in promotions and as director of creative services. She was also the director of marketing for a nursing home and worked most recently for Vantus Bank as a sales and marketing specialist.

"They went through a whole name change there (Vantus Bank) so I gained a lot of experience there," she said.

As the marketing and development specialist for the diocese, Kellen will work with development directors at the schools on grants and marketing plans.

She will also work with the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation, the Diocesan Annual Appeal and events such as the Bishop's Dinner.

Among her goals are to increase attendance at the Catholic schools, create more public awareness and raise funds for the tuition foundation.

Kellen and her two children, Colten and Caleb, are parishioners at St. Michael Parish in Sioux City. Her sons are in fourth grade and kindergarten respectively at Holy Cross School.

She is one of nine children and the daughter of Liz and Joe Kellen, a recent chair-couple for the Bishop's Dinner for Catholic Education.