Kerry Robinson to transition to Board of Leadership Roundtable, assume role as President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After nearly two decades serving in executive leadership of the Washington, D.C.-based Catholic nonprofit, Leadership Roundtable, Kerry Alys Robinson, will step down as Executive Partner this August. Robinson will transition to serve on the Board of Directors for Leadership Roundtable as she assumes the role of President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.

“Leadership Roundtable is one of the most vital and transformative ministries to the Church today and I always will be an advocate for its mission,” Robinson said. “When the founder, Geoff Boisi, approached me to serve as its founding Executive Director nearly 20 years ago, I was not only deeply humbled by the offer, but I was profoundly moved by the opportunity to help advance the exigent ministry of hope this prominent group of leaders were offering to the Church.”

Leadership Roundtable formed in 2005 in the wake of the abuse and leadership crises of the Catholic Church as a mission of hope, boldly envisioning that the Church could heal and strengthen by promoting and implementing best management practices to build a leadership culture that is co-responsible, transparent, and accountable.

Robinson was part of the work to form the organization and led Leadership Roundtable for 11 years as founding Executive Director before transitioning to be Global Ambassador in 2016. Most recently, she has served as one of the four-member team of Executive Partners, who lead the organization today.

“As I embark on this new chapter of service to the Church and its vitally important humanitarian work, I am confident in making this transition because I know that my incomparable colleagues at Leadership Roundtable will ensure its mission lives on,” Robinson said.

“Kerry is part of the DNA of Leadership Roundtable. It is not an exaggeration to say that Leadership Roundtable would not exist without the dedication, vision, sacrifice, and inspiration that has been Kerry’s gift to us,” said Boisi, who is also chairman and CEO of Roundtable Investment Partners LLC. “Since before we were even officially formed, Kerry was integral to what would become Leadership Roundtable. In the last 20 years, she has not only been a driving force in the growth and success of Leadership Roundtable, she has personally had tremendous impact on building co-responsibility and accountability in our Church.” 

During Robinson’s tenure, Leadership Roundtable has become a highly respected organization, sought after for its convening power and expertise promoting best leadership and management practices within the Church. Its work has touched more than 75% percent of dioceses across the United States and has influenced actions at the Holy See, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and other bishops’ conferences abroad.

“I have admired over many years Kerry’s love of and dedication to the Church, evidenced in her work at Leadership Roundtable, how she works to promote unity and bridge divides, ever keeping fresh the joy of the Gospel,” said Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “Kerry is a perfect fit for Catholic Charities USA, and I am confident she will build on Sr. Donna Markham’s outstanding legacy.”

“I am very happy to learn that Kerry Robinson has been chosen as the new head of Catholic Charities USA,” said The Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair, archbishop of Hartford. “Kerry has contributed greatly to the life of the Church in our archdiocese and beyond. She will now bring a deep commitment, a wealth of experience, and many leadership gifts to an important outreach of the Church’s mission and witness in our country.”

Robinson will assume the role of President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA in August, succeeding Sr. Donna Markham, OP, who led the service organization for nine years. Robinson will be the first lay woman who is not a religious sister to lead the organization in its more than 100-year history. 

“We are so proud of Kerry! We congratulate her on this prestigious appointment to an organization so vital to the integrity and prominence of the Catholic Church in its mission to alleviate human suffering and deprivation in our nation,” said Elizabeth McCaul, co-chair of Leadership Roundtable’s board of directors and ECB representative to the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank. “Catholic Charities USA is a close and important partner of Leadership Roundtable and, as a preeminent sister Catholic organization, we know the transition will be very smooth with both organizations.” 

Robinson will also transition to a position on the Board of Directors of Leadership Roundtable in August, helping the organization ensure its strategic initiatives remain on track. Leadership Roundtable will continue under the day-to-day leadership of Executive Partners Michael Brough, Patrick Markey, and Kim Smolik.

“Leadership Roundtable would not be where and what it is today without Kerry and her long list of service to the mission of our organization,” said Joe Regan co-chair of the Board of Directors and CEO of Alphadyne Asset Management. “We look forward to welcoming Kerry to our board and her continuation of service to Leadership Roundtable in this new capacity.”

To learn more about Robinson’s appointment to CCUSA, please click here.

Media Contact: Kate Alexander
kate@leadershiproundtable.org