As the newly appointed Director of Operations, Cathy Rosen continues to follow her passion for community service and philanthropy, and works to have a positive impact on the lives of individuals, families, and the business community throughout Starved Rock Country.
Born and raised in Utica, Cathy credits her passion for giving back and helping those who are less fortunate to the strong family values she learned from her parents and grandparents in this small, close-knit community. She graduated cum laude from Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois, a Catholic women’s college which taught her the importance of fighting for social justice and community activism.
Cathy brings over 30+ years’ experience in both the private and public sector. She was the office manager/bookkeeper for Rosen Law Firm (1998-2007) where she was responsible for a staff of six and managed client intake and schedules for her husband and several co-counsels. Cathy was the first woman elected alderman in Fairview Heights Illinois where she chaired the Personnel Committee and established legislation to allow constituents to voice their concerns to elected officials on a regular basis.
As an independent contractor for Patrick Quinn, a former Illinois State Treasurer, she promoted a public-private partnership between banks and community-based organizations to promote low and moderate housing initiatives in the Metro-east-St Louis area. Cathy also served as the first woman Illinois Public Action Board member and chaired the Annual Metro-east political fundraisers, in addition to co-chairing a women’s fundraiser for then Senator Paul Simon.
A strong advocate for Catholic education, she was the chairperson and organizer for the first St. Clair School Auction, the largest fundraiser in school history at that time. Demonstrating her commitment to community service, she was a Court-appointed Advocate (CASA) in St. Clair County; a Children’s Home and Aid Society (CHASI) Board member; and served on the Board of the O’Fallon Library for fourteen years.
After moving from O’Fallon to Chicago, Cathy worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago where she supervised a pilot-program to promote financial transparency for schools at risk of closing due to financial instability. Deciding to take a “sabbatical” from the stress of the workplace, Cathy became a “granny-nanny” for her two grandchildren, Sidney and Molly, from birth until they were both in school full-time.
After her Mother’s death, Cathy and Rick, now a semi-retired attorney, moved back to Utica. Although she did not expect to return to full-time employment, Cathy was given the opportunity to join the SRCCF as the Founder, Pamela Beckett’s administrative assistant.
Congratulations Cathy. SRCCF is truly grateful for all that you do!
