Nancy Padberg, CEO of Catholic Education Arizona, has been a
driving force behind the organization’s success. Her leadership reflects a
personal dedication to education, shaped by her father, who always emphasized its importance in her life.
“Education changes the trajectory of people’s lives,” she says. “The more you know, the better decisions you can make. Study after study shows that quality education leads to better health, stronger families, and better income.”
CEA’s scholarship program relies on tax credits from individuals and corporations. Anyone can donate their tax credits and choose which school will benefit—most often schools that serve low-income students. A third-party scholarship program oversees the application process, ensuring fairness and transparency in awarding scholarships.
The organization has also built strong relationships with corporations like Shea Homes and Lumen, securing significant contributions—some as large as $6 million. Through its Changing Lives division, CEA even facilitates planned giving options, like IRA rollovers and legacy donations.
But CEA’s work doesn’t stop at academics. They take a holistic approach to education, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit of each student. Community service plays a big role, too. Students get involved with organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, offering their time to help the homeless, elderly, and others in need.
“Catholic education is about the whole child,” Padberg explains. “Our students are grounded in faith and leave prepared for life’s challenges, with a strong sense of responsibility to their communities.”
The results speak for themselves. In the past five years, CEA has seen a remarkable 54% growth. The organization boasts an impressive 99% graduation rate, with 96% of its students moving on to higher education. Partnerships are vital to CEA’s ongoing success, and National Bank of Arizona has been a key ally for the last 20 years.
Padberg says the bank’s steady support and sound financial guidance have been critical to the organization’s growth and impact. “We’ve experienced steady growth and National Bank of Arizona has been a huge part of that,” Padberg shares. “They understand our mission and the nuances of our revenue streams—from tax credits to donations to planned giving. It’s so important to have a financial partner we can rely on.” CEA’s success wouldn’t be possible without its dedicated team and supportive culture. Padberg is quick to credit her colleagues and board of directors for their unwavering commitment.
“We base our culture on trust, respect and value for one another,” she says. “I attribute our growth to our talented team. Our healthy culture is the foundation of everything we do, how we operate, how we collaborate, how we speak to one another, and how we treat each other. Our ‘Dream Team,’ as we call it, is the heart of our organization. We wouldn’t be where we are without them.”
