After spending 25 years in media and commercial real estate, I took a turn that changed the way I think about impact. I stepped into nonprofit leadership, serving as the CEO of a church, school, and daycare in Wisconsin. That role opened my eyes to the unique challenges—and opportunities—faith-based organizations face when they try to grow their ministries.
Now, with TRIUN3, I have the privilege of helping these organizations across the country navigate finances, HR, and long-term planning. But even the best strategy needs the right partners to bring it to life.
This is where Catalyst Construction steps in.
Shared Values, Stronger Results
TRIUN3 is more than an outsourced CFO or HR firm—we’re a partner that walks alongside ministries to help them build sustainably, stay mission-focused, and prepare for growth. Our approach is highly personal and deeply invested. That’s one of the reasons I believe so strongly in working with Catalyst. We’re cut from the same cloth.
We first connected through a few Wisconsin building projects, but the relationship solidified as both of our teams expanded into Arizona. Today, we even share physical office space, which makes collaboration seamless.
Catalyst doesn’t just build buildings—they build with purpose. They ask the right questions from day one:
- What’s your mission?
- What can you realistically afford?
- How can your space serve you better without overextending your resources?
It’s a refreshing and much-needed mindset in a world where construction can easily become overly complicated and expensive.
Helping Ministries Spend Smarter
What I love most about working with Catalyst is their willingness to challenge assumptions. I’ve been in many meetings where a school or church board thinks they have everything figured out—expansion plans drawn up, square footage calculated, wish list in hand.
And then Catalyst walks in and says, “Let’s take a step back.”
Instead of pushing for more, they often show clients how to do more with less. They’ll suggest multi-purpose spaces that reduce costs. They’ll run the numbers to make sure you’re building what you need, not just what looks nice on paper. And they do it all with humility, creativity, and a genuine commitment to your mission.
They also bring key stakeholders into the process, which is rare. Catalyst encourages organizations to get involved with volunteer work or community efforts that both reduce costs and deepen engagement.
A Partner Worth Trusting
The truth is, there are a lot of construction companies out there with impressive portfolios. But Catalyst stands out because they lead with service.
They’ll spend significant time and resources up front—evaluating your site, providing renderings, offering strategic input—all before you sign a contract. That’s virtually unheard of.
And it’s not just a tactic to win business. It’s who they are. Their mission aligns with ours at TRIUN3: help ministries thrive, without compromising values or stretching budgets thin.
I’ve personally partnered with them on projects in Wisconsin and Arizona, including my former school, Trinity Lutheran in Mequon, Wisconsin. In Arizona, we’re working on several church and school projects together, including a master plan for a large K–12 campus that incorporates creative solutions like multi-tenant housing to generate passive income.
Better Together
One of the greatest assets Catalyst brings to any project is their network. Whether it’s bringing in TRIUN3 to support financial strategy or connecting a client with a trusted fundraising partner, Catalyst surrounds themselves with people who share the same purpose: to serve well.
I often tell organizations to bring in your partners early. Before decisions are made, before dreams run too far ahead, bring in experts like Catalyst and TRIUN3 to help you define your:
- Goals
- Clarify your budget
- Chart a realistic path forward
It saves time, prevents infighting, and sets your project up for success.
Working with Catalyst isn’t just productive—it’s energizing.
In fact, I know people who’ve partnered with them and later asked, “How can I work there?”
That says something.
When you build with people who believe in what you’re doing, who invest fully, and who share your values, the result is more than a building—it’s a legacy.
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