What is Arete?

arete [ ə-ˈre-tā ] noun
excellence in action; a life well lived, virtuous and courageous.


OUR VISION: To see every child reach their greatest, God-given potential.

OUR MISSION: To advance the realization of excellence in underserved and marginalized children by opening the doors to opportunity.

OUR MODEL: The Arete model is a holistic journey of academic formation and personal growth, which empowers children to reach their highest potential. 

Through private contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, Arete Scholars awards need-based K-12 scholarships and empowers parents to place their children in private schools that best suit their unique gifts and learning needs. Since 2010, our partners have helped us grant more than 18,000 K-12 scholarships worth nearly $87 million.

We currently operate under tax credit scholarship programs in Georgia and Louisiana. Scholarship eligibility is based on the income guidelines for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRL), and award amounts range from $4,000 to more than $4,900 per year. 



Our Staff & Team

Jason Choate

Director, Education Savings Accounts

jchoate@aretescholars.org

Arthur Dupré

President

adupre@aretescholars.org

Marilyn Hicks

Vice President of Operations

mhicks@aretescholars.org

Shelley Knudsen

Community Engagement Director

sknudsen@aretescholars.org

Andrew Martin

Development Director - Louisiana

amartin@aretescholars.org

Heidie Nesset

Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

hnesset@aretescholars.org

Jason Paul Roberts

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

jroberts@aretescholars.org

Mary Helen Wirwa

Louisiana Scholarship Program Director

maryhw@aretescholars.org

Board of Directors

Name Title Company
Greg Beadles President Atlanta Falcons
Derek Monjure Cofounder Arete Scholars Fund
Jim Smith SVP, Business Strategy Atlanta Braves

Georgia Advisors

Name Title Company
Tim Bentsen Partner (Retired) KPMG
Casey Coffman Chief Commercial & Content Officer Augusta National Golf Club
Barry Feinstein Manager of Customer Operations Gas South
Rick & Barb Gaby Founders The Gaby Foundation
Danny Kling Divisional Vice President Transamerica
Craig Lewis Senior VP – Interim Resources StevenDouglas
Kevin Murphy Area President – GA & FL Gallagher
Lanny Nixon Senior Vice President Wells Fargo Bank
Al Petrangeli Chief Operating Officer Carroll Daniel Construction
Chris Prince General Counsel Mequity Companies

Louisiana Advisors

Name Title Company
James Garvey Honorary Member, Attorney Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale, L.L.P.
SR Carol Shively Superintendent of Schools Diocese of Shreveport
Marian B. Fertitta Superintendent of Schools (Retired) Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Mike Johnson Attorney Law Offices of Mike Johnson
Gene Mills President Louisiana Family Forum
James Clyde President Vivatas, Inc.
Billy L. Clark President Delta College of Arts and Technology
Charlie Davis President Liquid Ventures
Howard Davis Founder / Head of School Providence Classical Academy
Mark Stermer Sr. Pastor The Church in St. Amant
Timmy Teepell Partner OnMessage, Inc.