LEADERSHIP

Founding President 

Stephen Holte

Mr. Stephen Holte, founding President of Cristo Rey Orange County High School, has dedicated the past 15 years to Catholic education, serving organizations committed to being engines of opportunity for students from under-resourced communities. Throughout his career, Mr. Holte has built a reputation as a mission-driven leader focused on providing educational access to students of limited means, beginning with his work as a 4th-grade teacher through the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) Service Through Teaching Fellows Program and later as Director of Holy Cross Associates.

His professional journey includes pivotal roles at Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, where he raised over $50M in philanthropic support, and Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, where he helped secure over $17M in support. A board member of the Ignatian Spirituality Project and Christ the King Jesuit College Prep's Advisory Board, Mr. Holte holds a B.B.A in Finance and Business Economics and an M.Ed in Curriculum from the University of Notre Dame, with additional professional development from prestigious organizations like CASE, AFP, and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Founding Principal

Karelyn Roberts

Mrs. Karelyn Roberts is an accomplished and results-driven leader with a proven background in developing high-quality professional learning, project management, leadership coaching, and program evaluation. A Southern California native who spent fourteen years in Texas, she has served in various educational roles, including principal in Castleberry Independent School District and principal, assistant principal, and teacher in Fort Worth ISD, with prior experience as a teacher's assistant and long-term substitute at Juvenile Court and Community Schools in San Diego, CA.

Mrs. Roberts holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science for Single-Subject Teaching from San Diego State University and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. As Founding Principal of Cristo Rey Orange County, she is committed to providing students with a high-quality, research-based education within a faith-filled and nurturing Catholic educational environment. When not dedicated to her educational mission, she enjoys spending time with her husband Anthony, their two children Addisen and Joseph, and their dog Charlie, along with playing soccer, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and reading.

Founding Vice President

of Corporate Work Study

Susan McKeever

Mrs. Susan McKeever, Founding Vice President of the Corporate Work Study Program, is a passionate and innovative leader with over 20 years of Learning and Development experience partnering with organizations to build strong cultures and develop future leaders. With a proven track record across diverse industries including healthcare, engineering, construction, and transportation, Mrs. McKeever brings extensive expertise in talent development, having owned a consulting firm specializing in senior healthcare and housing, and previously worked with organizations like Fluor Corporation, where she developed global leadership programs and performance management systems.

Holding a BS in Management and Human Resources from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and an MBA from Pepperdine University, Mrs. McKeever is an experienced facilitator skilled in programs like DiSC, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, and EQ for Leaders. She will leverage her extensive background to partner with Orange County corporations to secure meaningful jobs and learning opportunities for Cristo Rey students. An active parishioner at St. Martin De Porres with her husband Marty, she is the mother of three children who all received a Catholic high school education, reflecting her commitment to educational excellence.

Founding Chief Finance Officer

Linda Ramirez

Mrs. Linda Ramirez, Chief Financial Officer, is an experienced Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and non-profit sectors. As the first in her family to attend college, she deeply values education and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from California State University, Fullerton. Her professional journey includes financial statement audits at SingerLewak LLP, accounting activities review at Capital Group, and eight years as Finance Manager at St. Edward the Confessor Parish and School, where her passion for serving others through Catholic education was ignited.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Ramirez is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys exploring new hiking trails, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. In 2017, she embarked on a transformative two-week journey along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain, an experience that continues to inspire her, and she aspires to complete the full trek in the future. Grateful for the opportunity to contribute to making Catholic education accessible to all, Ms. Ramirez brings both professional expertise and personal commitment to her role at Cristo Rey.