On October 9, at our Chicago Night for Niños, we will gather to celebrate and honor the life and service of Carl Marinacci. A man whose vision, leadership, generosity, and compassion have shaped the Fabretto Children’s Foundation for more than three decades. Over the years, Carl’s steadfast commitment has extended beyond his leadership, as he personally contributed more than one million dollars to ensure Fabretto’s mission continues to thrive.

Carl’s journey began in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where he was born and raised as the son of Italian immigrants. After graduating from his local public high school, he earned a prestigious General Motors scholarship to attend Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated in 1962 with a B.A. in Economics. As a student, he distinguished himself as a member of the Economics Honors Society and the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Carl continued his studies at the University of Chicago, earning an M.B.A. in 1964 as an Honors Fellow.

Carl embarked on a remarkable 35-year career with Amoco Corporation, beginning in 1964. His professional journey took him to Detroit, London, and Chicago, where he served in a variety of leadership roles, including Vice President of Human Resources for European operations and Vice President of Compensation & Benefits. He also contributed his expertise to the Conference Board Compensation Committee and the Oil Industry Benefits Study Group. Carl retired in 1999, closing a distinguished career marked by integrity, vision, and dedication to people.

But Carl’s true legacy extends far beyond his professional achievements. He is the proud father of three sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren. Since 1978, Carl has made his home in Evanston, Illinois, where he has been deeply engaged in civic and community life. His service has included time on the Evanston Human Relations Commission (1986–1990), the Jesuit Volunteer International Corps Board (1995–1998) and the Midtown Education Foundation Board.

Carl’s story with Fabretto began in the early 1990s, when he traveled down to Nicaragua to visit his son, Kevin after Padre Fabretto passed away. After seeing the work that was being done for children and youth in Nicaragua he along with his son, Kevin Marinacci founded the Fabretto Children’s Foundation 501c3 in the U.S. in 1993. Together, they carried forward the mission inspired by Father Rafael Fabretto to expand educational opportunities for children and families in underserved communities. Over the past 35 years, Carl has served as founder, board chair, dedicated board member, and tireless ambassador. Always ensuring that Fabretto’s mission remained grounded in compassion and opportunity.

Carl’s steadfast commitment and vision have left an indelible mark on Fabretto. His leadership helped guide the organization from its earliest days into the vibrant international nonprofit it is today, impacting generations of children across Central America. Quite simply, Fabretto would not be what it is without Carl’s heart and dedication.

As we gather in Chicago on October 9, we will honor Carl not only for his professional accomplishments, but for the countless lives he has touched through his service, generosity, and unwavering belief in the power of education to transform futures.

Please join us at Chicago Night for Niños as we celebrate Carl Marinacci’s extraordinary legacy and continue building bridges to opportunity for children in need. Please email Chrissy ([email protected]) for details about the event click here

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