Our Mission
The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide for the needs of our community through selfless service under the sign of love.
Our Values
Stewardship: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. is faithful to the purpose for which resources are given to manage them in a manner which allows for maximum benefit to the community and the individuals we serve…
Service: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. focuses on the needs of individuals and families, emphasizing social justice, social teaching and community service.
Excellence: The excellence of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. is measured by the ability to make significant and lasting contributions to the Archdiocesan community with the goal of moving individuals we serve towards self-sufficiency.
Advocacy: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. is committed to being a voice for the most vulnerable in our community striving to provide appropriate and timely services to assist families and individuals when they need us most.
Organizational Chart
Leadership
J. Antonio Fernandez, President/CEO
Since 2013, J. Antonio Fernandez has served as the Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio as President/CEO, leading the programs, growth, and development of the largest Catholic social services agency in the city, including sister agencies, Guadalupe Community Center, Seton Home, St. PJ’s Children’s Home, and San Antonio Birth Doulas. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities expanded programs from 17 to 45 and quadrupled the annual budget.
Previously, Mr. Fernandez was Senior Vice President of Operations for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the largest Catholic Charities in the country. In this role, he was responsible for the overall leadership and operations of the programs providing social services and physical plant oversight. Read More
Gladys Gonzalez, Executive Vice President
Gladys Gonzalez has been with the Catholic Charities family of agencies for almost five years, serving in various capacities at multiple sites to advance the mission, to increase capacity and sustainability, and to manage over 45 programs providing relief to those most vulnerable in our community. Currently, Gladys is the Executive Vice President and is responsible for the vision and oversight over all programs serving the community. Programs include family and children’s services, emergency assistance, self-sufficiency services, counseling, legal aid, refugee services, and safe shelter.
In addition, Gladys was previously Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs where she developed, implemented, and maintained operations as the organization established a new business model. Read MoreExecutive Vice President
Tracy Ladgenski, Chief of Staff
Tracy Ladgenski is the Chief of Staff for Catholic Charities with a focus on special projects, advocacy, and fundraising. Previously she served as the Vice President of Mission Advancement in which she was responsible for raising friends and funds for the five non-profit agencies that comprise the Catholic Charities family. In this role, she led the grants, fundraising, events, marketing communications, parish outreach, and volunteer services teams spurring growth for the agency. Prior to that, Tracy was the Grants Director for the Catholic Charities family.
A passionate fundraiser, she has also worked to raise scholarship funds for K-12 and post-secondary education students in need of financial assistance at the Archdiocese of San Antonio as the Director of Hope for the Future and at the University of the Incarnate Word as a Major Gifts Officer. Read More
Lisette DeLeon, Chief Financial Officer
Lisette DeLeon is the Chief Financial Officer for the family of five agencies encompassed by Catholic Charities. In this role, Ms. DeLeon is responsible for planning, implementation, and management of all financial matters including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and negotiations. Previously, Ms. DeLeon was Director of Finance at St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, a Catholic Charities agency, responsible for maintaining the financial health and stability of the home.
Ms. DeLeon has a long work history in finance serving as a Senior Consolidation and Reporting Analyst and General Ledger Team Lead. She has a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Texas A&M University. Read More
Michelle Cammack, Chief Administrative Officer
Michelle Cammack is a seasoned professional with nearly two decades of dedicated service in the non-profit social service sector. Armed with a master’s degree in Psychology, Michelle has leveraged her academic background and practical expertise to make impactful contributions to the field. With over a decade of leadership experience, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering positive change and driving organizational success.In her most recent role as Chief of Administration for Catholic Charities, Michelle has exemplified strategic vision and effective management, overseeing diverse initiatives and ensuring operational excellence. Read More
Tara Ford, Chief Development Officer
Tara Ford is the Chief Development Officer responsible for events and fundraising, grants, marketing communications, volunteer services, development, and parish outreach for the family of Catholic Charities agencies. In this role, she manages the brand, raises funds, and works with stakeholders to support the mission of Catholic Charities. Previously, Tara was the Director of Marketing Communications responsible for brand awareness, publicity, digital marketing, and promotion.
Previously, Tara has experience serving in a variety of capacities as a spokesperson, fundraiser, legislative advocate, and Board leadership. Read More
Lizzy Perales, VP of Programs
Lizzy Perales is the Catholic Charities Vice President of Programs responsible for management and oversight of over 40 programs including Family and Children’s Services, Family Self Sufficiency, Caritas Legal Services, Senior Services, and Refugee Resettlement Services. In this role, she works with senior leadership to execute quality programs and services that provide dignified care for the whole person, from birth to natural death. Previously, Mrs. Perales was the Executive Director of Guadalupe Community Center responsible for programs that assist and empower clients in the heart of San Antonio’s West Side. She also served as Director of Programs and as a Case Manager.
Mrs. Perales has a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services with minors in Spanish and Healthcare Ethics from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. Read More
Board of Directors
Dr. Charlotte Immenschuh – Chair | Matthew E. Pepping – Vice Chair | Michael Raimondi – Treasurer | Hella Scheuerman – Secretary
Richard Acosta | Esther Belz | Larry Benson, Jr. | John Bosworth | Fernanda Cardenas | Dr. Richard Clemons | Daniel Collier | Augustine Cortez, Jr. | Dr. Nicholas Cormier, Jr. | Dr. Mitch Finnie | Juan Antonio Flores | David Garcia | Vincent Gillette, Jr. | Frank Guerra | Greg Matula | Armando Medina | Donna McElroy | Dottie Nichols | Fr. Ricardo Ramirez | Jerry Salinas | Dr. William Stewart, Jr.| Dr. Khaled Tarboush | Trey W Tschirhart
Ex-Officio Members