New CCCYO exec named
Seeking ways to provide “sustainability long into the future” for Catholic Charities CYO programs while “in the middle of the most unprecedented economic downturn in our lifetimes” will be a major focus of the new CCCYO executive director when he takes reins of the agency and its $39 million budget on Jan. 15. “You have almost a perfect storm – a growing need in our communities for the people we serve, an increase in the number of clients at a time when it is incredibly challenging for us to raise funds from the local community, the state or from private donors,” said Jeff Bialik who was announced Dec. 1 as the next CCCYO executive director.
Bialik, 52, will succeed Brian Cahill, who for the past nine years has headed CCCYO, one of the Bay Area’s largest non-profit social service providers with 30 programs and more than 600 employees in the Archdiocese.
“We are very pleased that Jeff will take over as executive director upon Brian’s retirement,” stated CCCYO Board President Cecilia Herbert in a Dec. 1 CCCYO news release.
“We feel confident he brings the talent, experience and thoughtful leadership that will ensure Catholic Charities CYO’s ability to continue to serve the needs of the most vulnerable in our society.”
She continued, “We were attracted to Jeff as much for his compassion and concern for those in need as his abilities as a strategic leader. We are delighted to have him join us.”
As part of the selection process, Bialik met with representatives of CCCYO’s Board of Directors, senior leadership of the agency, a search committee, and Archbishop George Niederauer, who is chairman of the Board.
“What really pleased me was how absolutely committed every single person is – from top to bottom, from the Board members to staff -- to the fine work that Catholic Charities CYO does,” Bialik told Catholic San Francisco, “and how eager they are to really tackle these issues of both short-term financial and service delivery issues as well as the long-term issue of sustainability.”
Bialik said it is “too early for me to speculate” on what programming or staffing adjustments could be faced by the agency. “I am not the executive director yet, and so I am going to be taking advantage of the time between now and Jan. 15 to get as many briefings as I possibly can, get educated as quickly as I can so that when I come on board I will be ready to hit the ground running.”
A graduate of the University of Washington and the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Bialik most recently served as the vice president for finance and enrollment management, Chief Financial Officer and treasurer at Dominican University in San Rafael where he was responsible for the office of admissions, financial aid, human resources, facilities, financial and business services and $45 million budget for the college.
Prior to his position at Dominican, Bialik was the vice president of operations at Golden Gate University for eight years.
According to the CCCYO release, “Bialik has dedicated his time and leadership abilities to a number of organizations, including the Marin Education Fund, American Red Cross, North Bay Leadership Council, National Association of College and University Business Officers, Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce.”
He resides in San Rafael with his wife Mabel and their two children: Ellen, 16, and Adam, 22. Bialik said he hopes his familiarity with Marin County policy makers and governmental processes will be an asset to CCCYO on projects such as developing senior housing on land owned by its St. Vincent School for Boys there.
“I do have some experience with the entitlement process, the environmental impact support process, in Marin County. I actually managed the process at Dominican College in the 1990s that eventually led to approval by the City of San Rafael. I also know many of the players there in terms of the board of supervisors, assemblymen, and others who I hope will be part of the conversation as this process goes further,” Bialik said.
He said that during the interview process for his new position he had “sort of joked with the staff” that he has a special interest in the St. Vincent project “not only from the standpoint of my role with Catholic Charities, but I am also a neighbor” and he can “see the campus from my front porch.”
By Dan Morris-Young
