Claire Babineaux-Fontenot and Admiral Christopher W. Grady were elected Trustees of the University of Notre Dame at the Board of Trustees鈥� Spring Meeting. In addition, the Most Rev. Patrick M. Neary, C.S.C., was elected to the Board of Fellows, and as such will serve as an ex officio Trustee. Trustee Paulita A. Pike was also elected to the Board of Fellows. All appointments take effect July 1.
In announcing these appointments, Board Chair John Veihmeyer said, 鈥淭he election of these exceptionally talented leaders further strengthens our Board of Trustees and Board of Fellows. Their diverse experiences and deep commitment to Notre Dame鈥檚 unique Catholic character will provide essential perspective as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead. On behalf of the entire Board, I welcome our new colleagues and thank them for their dedication to Our Lady鈥檚 University.鈥�
鈥淲e are profoundly grateful to Claire, Chris, Bishop Pat and Paulita for their willingness to serve the University of Notre Dame in these vitally important governance roles,鈥� said University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. 鈥淓ach brings a remarkable breadth of leadership that will be invaluable to the Board鈥檚 work. I look forward to working closely with them in advancing Notre Dame鈥檚 distinctive mission.鈥�
Babineaux-Fontenot is the former chief executive officer of Feeding America, the nation鈥檚 largest charity, distributing food to more than 49 million people facing hunger each year. Prior to joining Feeding America, Babineaux-Fontenot was executive vice president of finance and global treasurer at Walmart. She is the 2024 recipient of the Laetare Medal, the University鈥檚 most prestigious award given each year to an American Catholic.
Babineaux-Fontenot holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center, and a Master of Laws in taxation from Southern Methodist University Dedman 91视频 of Law. She and her husband, Barry Fontenot, have two children.
Admiral Grady retired in 2025 after 41 years of distinguished service in the United States Navy. From 2021 to 2025 he served as the 12th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation鈥檚 second-highest-ranking military officer. He also held the position of acting chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from February to April 2025. From April 2021 to September 2025, he was the Navy鈥檚 鈥淥ld Salt,鈥� the longest-serving surface warfare officer on active duty.
Grady graduated from Notre Dame with an undergraduate degree in history and received his commission through Notre Dame鈥檚 Naval Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps. He also holds master鈥檚 degrees from Georgetown University, where he participated as a fellow in foreign service at the Edmund A. Walsh 91视频 of Foreign Service, and the National War College. He and his wife, Christine, are the parents of three children, including two Notre Dame graduates.
Elected to the Board of Fellows, Bishop Neary was appointed as the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, by the late Pope Francis in December 2022. Prior to this appointment, he served as pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon, and spent eight years in leadership of the Congregation of Holy Cross seminary in Nairobi, Kenya, and as district superior of Holy Cross in East Africa. Since 2025, he has served as chair of the board of Catholic Relief Services.
Bishop Neary earned an undergraduate degree in history from Notre Dame, and completed his Master of Divinity degree at the Jesuit 91视频 of Theology in Berkeley, California. He was ordained a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1991.
Elected a Fellow, Pike has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2022. She serves as managing partner of the Chicago office of the law firm Ropes & Gray and is a partner in its asset management group, representing registered fund products and counseling boards of directors on governance, regulatory risks, industry trends and insurance matters.
She earned her bachelor鈥檚 and law degrees from Notre Dame and teaches courses in mutual fund regulation at Notre Dame Law 91视频 and the Northwestern Pritzker 91视频 of Law. She and her husband, Zulfiqar Bokhari, who also holds two degrees from the University, are parents of two children, one of them a Notre Dame student.
Composed of six laywomen and laymen and six priests of Notre Dame鈥檚 founding religious community, the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Board of Fellows is the University鈥檚 highest governing body. The Fellows elect the Trustees, adopt and amend the bylaws and are specifically charged with maintaining Notre Dame鈥檚 Catholic character.