Leadership

Karen Clay has served as an educator in the Archdiocese of Washington for 13 years. Ms. Clay taught fourth grade and served as the assistant principal at Holy Trinity School in Georgetown, then served as the principal of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic School in Camp Springs, Maryland, before transitioning to Saint Peter’s. She has an additional three years of PreK to 4th grade classroom experience in a DC Public School on Capitol Hill.

Ms. Clay holds a Master of Education degree (summa cum laude) in Administration & Supervision (also known as the Catholic School Leadership Program) from Marymount University; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English from the University of Michigan; certification in Elementary Education (K-12) in the District of Columbia; catechist certification (K-adults) with the Archdiocese of Washington; and licensure in Administration II (K-12) from the Maryland State Department of Education.

Ms. Clay fosters a school community based on Gospel values, and strives to promote the academic, social, and spiritual development of the students of Saint Peter School.

Father Dan Carson joined the Saint Peter School community in June 2022 when Cardinal Gregory appointed him pastor of Saint Peter’s Church.

Prior to this assignment, Father Dan was Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Over the years, he has served as Parochial Vicar at St. Pius X in Bowie and at Holy Redeemer in College Park; administrator at St. Francis Xavier in Newtowne; and pastor at St. John Vianney in Prince Frederick. He also served as an assistant to Bishop Knestout when he was the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the archdiocese.

Father Dan became a priest as a later vocation having previously served many roles in government and the private sector. He began his career in information technology, working in the White House and for the U.S. Senate before shifting into management consulting in New York City. Upon moving back to Washington, D.C., Father Dan led the firm’s financial systems design and implementation for the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. He was subsequently offered—and declined—a partnership in the firm and found the fulfillment he sought in seminary.

Father Dan was ordained after six years of formation at Theological College at Catholic University and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in accounting.