The Amalia & Nicola Giuliani Fund for Religion & the Arts is now a Donor Advised Fund at Fairfield County’s Community Foundation (FCCF).

The following board members were instrumental in advancing the meaningful mission of the Foundation for many years, and also preserving the integrity of the Foundation as it converted into a Donor Advised Fund at FCCF. While the Board of Directors has dissolved, their partnership and goodwill for this work continues.

Fr. John B. Giuliani ~ Former Board President

Father John was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he attended public schools before studying for the priesthood, and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1960 for the Diocese of Bridgeport.

He earned master’s degrees in theology and in American studies. During the 1960s and 1970s, he taught religion and the humanities in the diocesan seminary, as well as at Sacred Heart and Fairfield Universities.

In the late 1970s, he embarked on a new pursuit in founding the Benedictine Grange, a small monastic community in Redding, Connecticut, where he inspired a variety of ministries flowing from the contemplative life.

Father John is a world-renowned painter of iconic depictions of Native Americans. His work has been exhibited in numerous museums, galleries and churches, including the New Britain Museum of American Art, St. John the Divine in New York City and Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, and many works are permanently installed in the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas. Details of his work are illustrated on the home page and throughout this website.
Some of Father John’s artwork may be viewed at jbgicon.com

Gregory Hauck ~ Former Board Vice President and Current Primary Advisor

Gregory was a founding member of the Benedictine Grange, where he worshipped for over forty years. He lived in community there for twelve years and was a member of the liturgical music ensemble. He served on the Board of Directors of the Giuliani Foundation as Vice President for thirty-six years, from 1982 to 2018.

He credits the Giuliani family for teaching him the art of hospitality, the beauty of Italian cuisine and the value of a table-centered way of living.

One of Gregory’s passions is transforming spaces that sustain mindful and soulful living. Over the years he has contributed to various community efforts, including Good Shepherd House of Hospitality, Bread and Roses, Love Makes a Family and the Triangle Community Center.

He currently manages two housing programs at Family Centers, assisting those who are homeless and live with a chronic mental illness.

Gregory holds an English degree and teaching certificate from Yale College.

Jane McCaffrey ~ Former Board Treasurer

Jane served on the Board of the Giuliani Foundation from 1990 to 2018, with particular responsibility for keeping track of the finances and preparing the annual IRS form 990.

It has been her joy to watch the fledgling foundation grow in the last twenty years, expanding its outreach to organizations around the world.

A CPA, with an undergraduate degree from Harvard/Radcliffe and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Jane lives in Redding, CT. Her door is always open, especially to former Grange community members and the families of her three children, which include eight grandchildren.

Karen Veronica ~ Former Board Secretary

Karen, a long-time resident of Redding, Connecticut, now lives in Mount Gilead, Ohio, to be near her five grandchildren.

Along with friends and colleagues in 1989 she turned her home in Redding into an award- winning hospice guesthouse called Bread & Roses. Beauty and nourishment were provided for men and women with AIDS in the 100-year-old house and in neighborhood locations in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford and Danbury.

Before the Bread & Roses years she raised two daughters, Hope and Andrea, and worked as a school counselor and teacher of human sexuality. Karen Veronica earned her master’s degree from New York University and her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University.

Kathleen Deignan, CND ~ Former Board Member

Kathleen is Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College where she is the founding director of the Iona Spirituality Institute and the Berry Forum for Ecological Dialogue.

A sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame, she was a founding member of the Benedictine Grange liturgical ensemble, and Composer in Residence for Schola Ministries, which has produced a dozen CD collections of her original sacred songs.

Dr. Deignan is the past President of the International Thomas Merton Society and sat on the Board of the Giuliani Foundation for many years. She currently serves on the boards of GreenFaith and The American Teilhard Association.

She is the author of ChristSpirit: The Eschatology of Shaker Christianity, When the Trees Say Nothing: Thomas Merton’s Writings on Nature, and Thomas Merton: A Book of Hours.

Pamela Jones ~ Former Board Member

Pamela is a transactional attorney specializing in the television, media and entertainment industries.

Ms. Jones has managed the legal and business affairs departments for leading broadcast and cable television networks including BBC Worldwide Americas, CBS Entertainment and MTV Networks.

She maintains a law practice in New York and Connecticut. She is an organic gardener and was an active member of the Benedictine Grange in Redding, CT for over thirty years.

Marion Najamy ~ Former Board Member

Marion has worked in skilled nursing facilities for over 30 years. She credits her success in achieving a Medicare Five Star Rated Facility by developing strong relationships with residents, families and staff.

Marion is an artist and graphic designer creating detailed surface art known as MinutesArt. She was a long time musician/percussionist with the music ministry at the Benedictine Grange.

Marion holds a BS from the University of Bridgeport and a LTC Administration Certification from Quinnipiac College.

She was a member of the Giuliani Foundation Board from 2004 to 2018.

Dennis Torres ~ Former Board Member and Current Secondary Advisor

Dennis served on the board of the foundation from 2004 to 2018. Currently working for Family Centers Inc in Stamford CT as the Director of Healthcare Program, Dennis is a seasoned manager with diverse experience in nonprofit administration, law and healthcare provision.

He was born in New York City, received his BA from Fredonia College, JD from Pace University, and MS in Social Work from Columbia University.

For over twenty-five years, Dennis has joined with other committed individuals, groups and agencies working in support of children, families and populations living in poverty, addressing the private and social costs that poverty has on communities.

Dennis currently resides in Bridgeport, CT.