Brian Dawkins
Pro Football and Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
Brian Dawkins is considered to be one of the top safeties in NFL history. In addition, he has served as an NFL team executive and NFL studio analyst. He is also a Motivational Speaker, and Author of “Blessed by the Best: My Journey to Canton and Beyond.”
Brian combatted depression throughout his career by reliance on his Christian faith and professional resources. During his NFL Hall of Fame speech, Dawkins said, “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for blessing me with the sense to understand that I did not do everything by myself….You have guided me the whole way, orchestrated my life….You stayed faithful to me, and I cannot wait to see what You’re going to do with me next.”
He is enshrined in both the Philadelphia Eagles and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Edward (Ward) Fitzgerald III
Catholic Leadership Institute Board of Director and CNBC Contributor
Mr. Fitzgerald is the CEO and Senior Managing Principal of EQT Exeter, a global leader in real estate investment management with over 50 offices around the world. 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.
In 2016, Ward and his wife, Kathy, were recognized with Papal Knighthood for their previous support of the Catholic Church during the World Meeting of Families with Pope Francis in Philadelphia. Both Ward and Kathy were named recipients of the 2024 Saint Charles Borromeo Award, an annual honor which recognizes those who lead lives of deeply impactful service to others with humility.
Mark Forrest
Mark Forrest is an acclaimed Irish tenor, whose melodic voice has filled concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and cathedrals worldwide. He has sung inspirational hymns for luminaries such as Saint John Paul II and Saint Mother Teresa.
His soothing Broadway melodies have entertained award-winning performers including Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, and Maureen O’Hara. From Presidential entertainment in the White House to his own house with his wife and eight children, Mark continues to inspire the world with his music.
Eddie Morris
Eddie Morris Foundation
Ed is a lifelong member of the Catholic community in the Philadelphia area. He is one of 9 children raised in Delaware County. Ed received his BS from the University of Delaware and his MS from the University of Pennsylvania. He is the father of 6 children, has 6 grandchildren and has been married for 35 wonderful years and is part of the St Norbert Parish.
He established his own successful commercial real estate company 43 years ago and the Edward A. Morris Family Foundation in 2017. Ed has been a leader in many Catholic faith-centered organizations and conducts Large Friendship Celebrations that attract over 500 people to hear outstanding presentations on building one’s relationship with God and one another within his community.
About 8 years ago, in response to the unsatisfied need for people needing a place to go when they were in pain or simply wanted to help out a friend that needed spiritual support, he created Team Hope, which has over 6,000 active members that pray for whoever needs prayers on a daily basis. Part of this mission includes sending out a daily prayer request to over 1,200 people.
This Hall of Fame member of Archbishop Carroll High School, Saint Norbert’s Parish, and The Children of the Father Foundation, loves to share his message of hope and healing with his fellow Christians and can often be heard on In His Sign Catholic Radio. Ed is looking forward to bringing his message to retreatants at ManUp 2025 in order to help them reach their spiritual potential and bring them closer to Our Lord.