The new board, chaired by business leader David Longo (center back), is part of a reorganization to increase the agency’s ties to parishes and broaden its impact in the rapidly growing region. (Photo provided)CHARLOTTE — As a first step in a transformation to broaden its impact, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has appointed members to a new Governing Board of Directors that will give it more autonomy.
Charlotte businessman and philanthropist David Longo was elected chair by the 13 board members appointed Nov. 3, with attorney Tom Mitchell selected vice chair.
“Working alongside our dedicated staff, volunteers and supporters, we aspire to become the most innovative and impactful Catholic Charities organization in the country,” said Longo. “We are excited to build on this ministry’s strong foundation, expand its reach and help more people flourish.”
Longo has held a variety of civic leadership posts, including chairman of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and has grown a small office furniture startup into one of the region’s premier workplace solutions companies.
Catholic Charities is restructuring and pursuing other changes that include better facilities, deeper ties to parishes, and more guidance from communities across western North Carolina in identifying their most pressing needs.
The newly formed Governing Board of Directors replaces the agency’s previous Advisory Board and will have more authority to guide the agency’s work, approve policy, hire and evaluate the CEO, and implement changes in collaboration with Bishop Michael Martin.
This structure aligns with best practices at many Catholic Charities agencies across the country.
Wake Forest University professor Susan Danhauer will serve as board secretary, and two additional board members will be appointed in January. Members will serve three-year terms.
Longo said he is grateful for Bishop Martin’s leadership and vision for service to others – and his call for evangelization.
“Catholic Charities offers a powerful opportunity to put our faith into action,” he said. “Sharing Christ’s love by honoring the dignity of every person and responding to our neighbors in need.”
— Christina Lee Knauss
Catholic Charities’ Governing Board of Directors
- Leandre Adifon is CEO of Bipv LumenGeo, a solar energy company, and founder and CEO of technology consulting firm Pyramid Base Technologies. He has extensive global experience in technology, innovation and engineering, and operations.
- Dr. Suzanne Danhauer is a psychologist and tenured professor at Wake Forest University, a senior associate dean for faculty well-being, and director of the Center for Integrative Medicine. Her career has included leadership roles in integrative medicine, research and institutional wellbeing.
- Shaun Dreyer is a Truist executive who previously worked at Wells Fargo and Bank of America.
- Greg Efthimiou is a nationally recognized senior communications executive specializing in corporate and media relations, brand building, social media and community relations. He is vice president of communications for GoDaddy, the world’s largest website domain registrar.
- Heather Finke coordinates “Walking With Purpose” Bible study for 100 women at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte. She serves on the board of Heart Math Tutoring and previously served on the boards of TeachForAmerica, Belmont Abbey College and Charlotte Latin School. Also tutors elementary school children in math.
- Donna Green is a community volunteer with a passion for education, evident in her roles as a math teacher at KIPP Academy and volunteer counselor at Roof Above, a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness.
- David Longo is founder, chairman of the board and CEO of CBI Workplace Solutions, a premier workplace solutions provider in the Southeast with locations in the Carolinas, Tennessee and Florida. He founded the Live Love Serve Foundation, a charitable organization that supports CBI associates in times of need and contributes to community causes.
- Tara Mingledorff has more than 17 years of experience in fundraising, communications and advocacy, with expertise in developing fundraising strategies and building coalitions. Her work with Castlebar Strategies includes leading fundraising programs for political campaigns, committees and nonprofits.
- Tom Mitchell is chair and managing partner of Moore & Van Allen, a full-service commercial law firm with clients throughout the Southeast. He is a member of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council, chairs the board of directors at Charlotte Center City Partners and is a member of the board of trustees at Johnson C. Smith University.
- Father Adrian Porras, a priest in the Diocese of Charlotte for 25 years, is currently pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Arden. He is the newly appointed Vicar Forane for the Hendersonville vicariate and works with the western regional office of Catholic Charities in Asheville.
- Mike Rizer is executive director of corporate citizenship at Ally Financial and president of the Ally Charitable Foundation. He is active in the Charlotte community and currently serves on the Social Justice Committee of Mercy Investments.
- Dr. Sarah Schroth taught art history at the Atlanta College of Art and at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and served as adjunct professor at Duke University in the art and art history department from 1994 to 2019. The author of three books, she also served as curator for the Ackland Museum of Art, UNC-Chapel Hill, and was senior curator at Nasher Museum of Art at Duke.
- Mercy Sister Rose Marie Tresp has more than 30 years of experience serving on the boards of hospitals and nonprofit organizations. Since 2008, she has served on the National Mercy Justice Team, where she advocates and educates on the Mercy Critical Concerns of immigration, the environment, non-violence, women’s issues and racism.