Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary announced today that Kathy and Ward Fitzgerald will be the recipients of this year’s Saint Charles Borromeo Award, given by the Board of Trustees of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary to recognize those who lead lives of deeply impactful service to others with humility.
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia, will present the award to Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald on March 19, 2025, during a gala at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia.
“The Seminary is proud to honor Kathy and Ward Fitzgerald for their efforts in the local community, the Catholic community and beyond, setting an example of servant leadership for others to follow,” said Most Reverend Keith J. Chylinski, Rector of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. “Like Saint Charles Borromeo, who lived a life of service and humility, the Fitzgeralds share their many talents and unwavering generosity for the betterment of our local and global community.”
“Kathy and I are humbled to serve the Church and Archdiocese,” said Mr. Fitzgerald. “Philadelphia is among the centers of the Catholic Church, holding the Providence as the only US city to be home to two saints – Saint Katharine Drexel and Saint John Neumann,” Mrs. Fitzgerald added. “We are blessed to be vessels of the Church to help Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary continue its mission of helping men called to be witnesses in the ministry of Jesus Christ to fortify their journey.”
Mr. Fitzgerald is the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Managing Principal of EQT Exeter, a global leader in real estate investment management with over 50 offices around the world. Since the firm’s founding in 2006, it has secured approximately $30 billion in fund equity commitments, representing pension, sovereign wealth, endowment, insurance, and foundation partners from around the globe. EQT Exeter’s funds have made over 1,800 real estate investments, corresponding to over 2,500 properties in the warehouse/logistics, office/life science and multifamily sectors. Prior to founding Exeter, Mr. Fitzgerald was part of the senior management team at Rouse/Liberty Property Trust, a publicly traded office and industrial REIT, which he helped take public in 1994.
Mrs. Fitzgerald—the matriarch of the family, while most proud of having raised three beautifully faith-filled children, Francie, Maggie, and Teddy—is a talented artisan and visionary creator. Her most recent projects include the St. Denis Adoration Chapel (Havertown) and the welcoming vestibule at the Inn of Amazing Mercy (Kensington).
As Philadelphia philanthropists, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald also support Project Home, the Papal Foundation, the National Center for Padre Pio, the Catholic Leadership Institute, the Institute for Real Estate and The Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, Franciscan University, and Jefferson University Hospital’s Neurology Department, the Raphael Center for Neurorestoration as well as other charitable endeavors.
About Saint Charles Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 191 years. With a current enrollment of 143 seminarians, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is one of the largest seminaries in the country. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
