Our Team

Waleed Zaru joined the Bethlehem University Foundation as Executive Director in January 2026, providing strategic leadership to advance the Foundation’s mission and support Bethlehem University’s long-term sustainability. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in resource development and organizational management, working closely with boards, partners, and supporters to strengthen institutions and align strategy with mission. As a Palestinian American, Waleed brings a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and geopolitical context in which Bethlehem University operates. He is deeply committed to collaboration, transparency, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders in the United States and around the world.

Kathy Carver joined the Bethlehem University Foundation in 2022. A lifelong lay ecclesial minister, Kathy began her career in Catholic youth ministry, serving in parish and diocesan leadership roles. She spent 23 years with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry as Associate Director, where she supported parish and diocesan leaders throughout the United States and collaborated with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on initiatives and priorities related to young people.

Kathy’s experience includes nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, communications, publishing, and mission advancement. Throughout her career, she has developed programs and resources, led organizational initiatives, and built partnerships that strengthen mission-driven organizations. She holds an M.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University Chicago and a B.A in Psychology from Merrimack College.

Kathy and her husband, Bruce Baumgarten, have been married for more than 39 years and reside in Maryland.

Ruby Freeman trat 2023 der Bethlehem University Foundation bei und fungiert als Leiterin für Verlagswesen und Betrieb. Ruby stammt aus Washington, D.C. und hat einen MA-Abschluss der University of Baltimore in Publikationsdesign und einen BS-Abschluss der University of the District of Columbia in Druckmanagement. Zusätzlich zur Seitengestaltung bringt sie Projektmanagement- und Organisationsfähigkeiten in die Stiftung ein und möchte einen großen Beitrag zur Arbeit von BUF leisten.

Ronald Hays (Ron) is in his second stint as Controller with Bethlehem University Foundation, having initially started in 2019. He spent most of his career in financial planning and analysis for both for-profit and not-for-profit companies. Ron holds a degree in Accounting from the University of Wyoming and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Ron volunteers doing income tax for various VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Association) organizations.

Renee brings to Bethlehem University Foundation a distinctive approach to brand strategy, creative storytelling, and mission-driven marketing, grounded in both scrappy tactical execution and the science of MBA-level Brand Management. She has partnered with startups and nonprofits across legal, education, sustainability, and biotech industries. As Chief Marketing Officer of Skydrops Sustainable Water Technologies in Qatar, she led the branding and marketing of their premium and luxury water brands from the ground up to regional category leader, representing Qatar as its only private company at the U.N.’s COP28 Climate Conference. Her work has also been featured at U.S. Congressional hearings.

Renee is a founding team member of Red Candle: Light for Palestine, a coalition-led movement, and has worked with CMEP (Churches for Middle East Peace), NEME (Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East), Church at the Crossroads, and High Country Peace and Justice.

An Orthodox Christian, Renee lives in the mountains of North Carolina with her children.