April 2023 - VP For Finance, Chris Garavaglia

Dear De La Salle Community,

During this Holy Week, as campus becomes a little quieter and we commemorate the Triduum, we are all sending our blessings to you and your family. It has been a little over six months since I became an official member of the De La Salle community, although my heart has been with both De La Salle and Carondelet for many years. With my daughters graduating from Carondelet, my husband, son-in-law, and many extended family members graduating from De La Salle, as well as Carondelet, Winton Drive feels very much like a homecoming. That first day I met with David Holquin back in May of 2022, brought me such a feeling of belonging to a community I love. After wrapping up some major projects at O’Dowd, that first official day I walked on campus in the middle of October 2022, brought such joy to me. I am so honored to be a member of this incredible community with all of you.

I started my career in audit, followed by corporate, consulting, and the last 11+ years at Bishop O’Dowd High School where I was the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.  What a journey, but through it, Catholic education has been my greatest and most cherished career choice. Coming to DLS, I bring a depth of experience but still have so much to learn from this amazing Spartan Brotherhood, and thus I am thrilled to be a part of each day and the exciting future of De La Salle.

While my work is often internally focused, my job is always about ensuring we have the proper resources allocated to fulfill our mission and help us reach our vision. Our financial condition is strong, our upcoming 2023-24 budget is balanced, and we continue to meet the Christian Brothers mandate to be as accessible as possible as we provide financial aid to one-third of our student body, investing $4.5 million in our families for the 2023-24 school year.  Our endowment continues to grow and provide support to this critical mission, our annual giving has grown significantly showing the commitment of our families, alumni, and friends of DLS, and our employees and Board of Trustees continue to participate at 100% giving. What a testimony of what De La Salle means to them!

Our 2023-24 budget shows a significant and ongoing commitment to support our most important resource, our incredible faculty, staff, and coaches, who show their dedication every day in forming Men of Faith, Integrity, and Scholarship. These men and women ensure that our students receive the instructional programming, co-curricular opportunities, and individualized support they need to succeed. I am in awe and so humbled by the commitment, dedication, and care our employees invest every day in our students, their families, and all of our community.  What a testament to the first action word from our Mission Statement – Love!

As we roll out the Strategic Plan and begin the next chapter of De La Salle and the future of our campus and community, I am so excited for the future.  There is hard work ahead, but there is joy, there is love, there is dedication, and commitment, and there is always the promise of God’s love surrounding us. 

I will end with one of my favorite Mother Teresa sayings, which I feel embodies the definition of our mission of Love – it is in my office, so come stop by and say Hello!

Let no one ever come to you without leaving Better and Happier.
Be the living expression of God’s Kindness,
Kindness in your face,
Kindness in your eyes,
Kindness in your smile.

On behalf of all of us at De La Salle High School, we extend our best wishes to you and your family as we prepare to celebrate Easter and the true joy that brings.

Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever,

Chris Garavaglia
Vice President for Finance