Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York announced on Tuesday that J. Antonio Fernández, the president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, will assume the role of chief executive officer. Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the long-serving executive director for the first quarter of the 21st century, will transition to an advisory role as executive director emeritus, effective September 8, 2025.

As executive director, Monsignor Sullivan’s first major task was to assist with the response to the September 11 terrorist attack as chair of the September 11 United Services Group, a human services sector-wide effort to assist impacted families and individuals. Since then, he has led Catholic Charities in responding to major community-wide emergencies, including Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2015, Monsignor Sullivan organized the visits of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis to the New York City area. More recently, he has guided the organization and partner agencies in response to the arrival of an unprecedented number of migrants to the New York City area.

“Catholic Charities has for over a century provided essential services to all New Yorkers,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan. “In addition to being a man of faith, Monsignor Sullivan is also a person of relentless pragmatism when it comes to organizing services that are critical to the vibrancy of our city and state and our most vulnerable communities. He has guided Catholic Charities through numerous crises and has done so with a spirit of kindness and a mind for action. We are so fortunate that he will continue to advise the agency. I enthusiastically welcome J. Antonio Fernández in his new role as chief executive officer of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. I had the opportunity to personally meet with Antonio and was delighted that he accepted our offer to lead Catholic Charities in New York.”

“Catholic Charities affirms daily through its services to non-Catholics and Catholics alike the dignity of each person as made in the image of God. If they are hungry, we help feed them; if in need of shelter, we house them,” said Monsignor Sullivan. “It has been an honor to be part of this organization and its long history. For more than a century, our values have remained firm, and our commitment has been renewed as new needs emerge at different and difficult times in New York. I am proud to be part of a team of dedicated professionals and generous volunteers who have contributed so much to improving the lives of New Yorkers. I am confident that this legacy will continue and grow under the leadership of Catholic Charities’ new CEO J. Antonio Fernández.”

“Catholic Charities is an important beacon of hope for all New Yorkers, exemplifying care, love, and respect for those in need,” said Catholic Charities of New York CEO J. Antonio Fernández. “Catholic Charities is a critical resource to those who require support and assistance. I thank Cardinal Dolan and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve, and I look forward to working with Monsignor Sullivan to lead Catholic Charities into the future.”

“Monsignor Sullivan’s leadership has grown Catholic Charities into one of the largest social service organizations in the country,” said Board of Trustees Chair William D. Anderson Jr. “We thank him for his years of service and appreciate his continued resolve and dedication to our organization in a new advisory role. At the same time, we enthusiastically welcome J. Antonio Fernández to New York and Catholic Charities. We’re confident that the organization he is taking over is strong, even in the face of extraordinary challenges, as it provides help and support with dignity to so many families and individuals in communities throughout the Archdiocese.”

Fernández was appointed as president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in 2013. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities of San Antonio provided critical housing services, child and youth services, humanitarian response, and immigration and legal assistance across 19 counties in South Texas. Prior to that role, he served as senior vice president of operations at the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for nearly four years. He was also deputy director of welfare programs at Casa Central. He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Counseling Psychology, and a Bachelor of Psychology. He is certified for nonprofit organizations and is a licensed professional counselor. Fernández also serves on the Board of Trustees at Catholic Charities USA.

Catholic Charities of New York serves over 400,000 New Yorkers annually and, through its programs, helps to build the fabric of a caring New York.