Karey Circosta has been named publisher and chief executive officer of Ave Maria Press, effective August 31, 2020.

Circosta will succeed Tom Grady, who is retiring after fifteen years at Ave. Circosta is the eleventh publisher, third layperson, and first woman to serve in the role in the organization’s 155-year history.

“The Board of Directors of Ave Maria Press is excited to have Karey Circosta take on the role of CEO and publisher. She has proven herself as a long-time member of the leadership team of Ave and as associate publisher and director of sales and marketing. In addition to her wide variety of skills and accomplishments, she brings a great devotion to Ave’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission of making God known, loved, and served,” said Rev. Anthony V. Szakaly, C.S.C., chairman of the board.

Rev. William M. Lies, C.S.C., provincial superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, also lauded Circosta’s experience and her commitment to the ministry of Holy Cross. “Karey brings talent and enthusiasm as well as vast knowledge and extensive experience to this important apostolate of the U.S. Province,” Lies said. “Ave is an integral part of Holy Cross's service to the Church and the life of faith and I know that Karey will help see that this important ministry continues to flourish. We look forward to Karey’s contributions for many years to come.”

Circosta said she will continue the course set by Grady as Ave moves forward. “I am honored and extremely grateful to the Ave Maria Press board of directors, Fr. Lies, and the Holy Cross Provincial Council for selecting me as the next publisher at Ave,” she said. “I’ve been very fortunate to have worked for and been mentored by Tom Grady these last fifteen years, and while I have huge shoes to fill and we will all miss Tom tremendously, I am dedicated to making sure we continue the work and direction we have been under during Tom’s leadership as well as advancing the Press and our mission in the years to come.”

Grady said Circosta has fearlessly tackled new challenges and responsibilities over the years. “I couldn’t be more delighted at the news that my long-time friend and colleague will become Ave Maria Press’s next publisher. I have known and worked with Karey for more than fifteen years, and I’ve watched in admiration as she has fearlessly tackled new challenges and embraced new responsibilities within the organization,” Grady said. “Karey’s wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as her impressive leadership skills, her strong commitment to Ave’s authors, and her dedication to its mission as a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross will be invaluable as she guides the Press into the future. Congratulations, Karey!”

Lies and Szakaly also praised Grady’s leadership and contributions to Ave Maris Press.

“The board wishes to thank Tom Grady for his many years of service as publisher, during which time Ave has thrived as a vibrant force in Catholic publishing. As Tom retires from Ave, we certainly ask God’s blessing on him and his wife Mary,” Szakaly said. “We are ever so grateful for Tom Grady’s leadership over the last fifteen years,” Lies added.

Circosta joined Ave in 2003 as institutional marketing coordinator, responsible for Ave’s high school textbook marketing and sales. She was promoted to manager, director, and in 2010 to vice president and director of sales and marketing. She added associate publisher to her role in 2018.

Circosta earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Mary’s College and an MBA from Bethel University. She received an executive education certificate in book publishing from the Yale School of Management. Circosta is a member of the board of directors of the Association of Catholic Publishers and serves with several community organizations, including the Junior League of South Bend, where she was president. She was a 2008 “40 Under 40” award recipient from the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce.

Circosta and her husband Nic have two children and live in the South Bend, Indiana, area, where they are parishioners at St. Joseph Parish.