Catholic Charities Northwest Team
Meet the Team
Beth Kwasny, Interim CEO
Beth grew up in San Francisco but has called Texas home since her first Air Force assignment brought her to San Angelo.
She has worked in the defense sector for over 30 years in both military and contractor roles. Her military career culminated with her retirement from the JRB Fort Worth as the 301st Fighter Wing’s Inspector General. Beth’s passion for the mission of Catholic Charities Fort Worth began when she attended her first Creating Hope in 2005. For the last 20 years has volunteered in various capacities at CCFW to include the honor of serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Beth earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the United States Air Force Academy and her master’s in Systems Technology from Louisiana State University, Shreveport. She resides in Sunset with her husband and children.
Laura Sotelo, Regional Director of Northwest Services
Laura grew up in Iowa where her family moved following her father’s retirement from the Marine Corps. She has worked at CCFW for nearly 25 years in a variety of roles including client services, program management, Parish Social Ministry, and Endowment & Planned Giving. Laura oversaw the planning team that developed the plan for expansion into the northwest part of our service area and became the first director of the Northwest Campus when it opened in Wichita Falls in 2014. Since then, she has been part of the development of both short and long-term services offered in the community and developed the plan to implement the Education Navigation program throughout the diocese.
Laura earned her Masters of Servant Leadership from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She and her husband, Tim, love to travel and are blessed with four children and are the proud grandparents of three grandsons, who keep their weekends busy with lots of soccer.
Rita Gauthier, Director of Client Services
Rita has 35 years of experience in developing and leading teams with solution-oriented goals and outcomes. She helped develop and expand the Education Navigation program which now serves students in eight community colleges and three four-year universities across our 28-county service area. She serves as the Director of Client Services for the Wichita Falls campus.
Rita obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Midwestern State University and was a member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society. She and her husband Paul enjoy the outdoors and attend all the games and activities of their six grandchildren.
Daniel Dalton, Education Navigation Program Manager
Daniel Dalton has extensive experience in educational mentoring, systems, and research. His background is in Applied Psychology and Sociology with a master’s degree in Applied Psychology from Tarleton State University. His graduate work specifically focused on virtual and in-person support systems’ attenuation of stress resulting in an increase in general well-being. While completing his graduate work, Dalton began his work as a Navigator for Education Navigation applying his findings on support systems to empower vocational students to achieve their educational and financial goals. He has since worked as a supervisor and then a Program Manager within Education Navigation. Under his leadership, the Education Navigation program remains focused on implementing research-based practices, practical training, and transforming program systems.
Mindy Cuba
Engagement Coordinator
