Catholic Charities Names New ExecutiveDirector

Catholic Charities Names New Executive Director

Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities of Baltimore, announced today the appointment of David W. Kinkopf as the next Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Baltimore. Kinkopf succeeds William J. McCarthy, who has led Catholic Charities since 2009 and who announced last year his plans to retire in 2025, leading to an extensive national search. Kinkopf will begin serving in his position July 1, 2025. Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services.

“I am so honored to join more than 1,700 colleagues and countless partners in the community as we advance the long tradition of serving our neighbors with dignity, compassion, and love,” Kinkopf said. “Now more than ever, our sisters and brothers throughout the State of Maryland need the services provided by the 80-plus programs of Catholic Charities, and I’m humbled to be called to lead those who affirm the dignity of every individual served by Catholic Charities.”

“I’ve been blessed to work closely with Dave through the years, and I’ve come to know him well. A parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, he is devoted to his Catholic faith. He has a heart for the poor and the marginalized,” Archbishop Lori said. “Dave is a gifted and energetic leader of the highest integrity. He has admirably served both the Catholic community and the civic community, and I look forward to his leadership of Catholic Charities of Baltimore in the years ahead.”

Kinkopf is currently a partner at the Baltimore law firm of Gallagher Evelius & Jones, which he joined in 1995. For decades, the firm has represented nonprofit and for-profit institutions including Catholic Charities, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Mercy Health Services, Loyola University Maryland, Bozzuto & Associates, Brightview Senior Living, and many other prominent entities serving the Baltimore and greater Maryland communities. Dan Rizzo, President of the Catholic Charities Board and member of the Search Committee noted, “I have had the pleasure of working with Dave on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations in Baltimore and appreciate how deeply committed he is to improving the lives of our neighbors in need and making our community stronger.”

Kinkopf served for five years as a Regent for the University System of Maryland, which employs over 35,000 faculty and staff and has an annual budget of over $7 billion. Former UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski said, “Dave is a widely respected leader who cares about the community and understands the importance of working with all stakeholders to advance the important work of complex institutions like Catholic Charities, which are so vital to our region.” Kinkopf has been an active volunteer in many areas, including providing pro bono work representing prisoners in lawsuits challenging prison conditions and immigrants in actions regarding fair treatment and individual status proceedings. Kinkopf has also served on numerous charitable boards and foundations including the Crane Family Foundation, the O’Neill Health Care Fund, the Sheppard Pratt Health System and Foundation, and the Baltimore Equitable Insurance Foundation. Marjorie Rodgers Cheshire, Chair of Baltimore Equitable Insurance and Principal of A&R Development, remarked: “I have worked with Dave in a variety of settings where he leads with a deep concern for operational excellence and achieving results.  He digs into problems to understand what is at issue and then works collaboratively to develop and implement solutions that succeed.”

Kinkopf’s passion for service and the pursuit of justice took root during his undergraduate years at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, after which he spent a year as a community volunteer at a soup kitchen and education/job training hub in Catao, Puerto Rico outside of San Juan. Following service work in Puerto Rico, Kinkopf attended Harvard Law School and then clerked for Chief U.S. District Court Judge J. Frederick Motz in Baltimore before joining the Gallagher law firm.

Dave, his wife, Kristen, and their children Paul, Catherine, and John, have been active supporters and participants in many Baltimore-area Catholic institutions and ministries, including those of Catholic Charities. Kristen worked for over 17 years at Catholic Charities, leaving in 2016 after serving most recently as its first Director of Mission Integration.

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside both Dave and Kristen and have gotten to know their family over the years, having witnessed the entire family’s commitment to Catholic Charities and our mission,” Bill McCarthy said. “Dave is the leader this organization needs at this time and shares the heart for service to our neighbors which is personified by our Catholic Charities colleagues.”

About Catholic Charities of Baltimore

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, with more than 80 programs in 200 locations. Inspired by the gospel mandates to love, serve, and teach, Catholic Charities is committed to a Maryland where each person has the opportunity to reach his or her God-given potential. Catholic Charities was established in 1923 and focuses on the key causes of Achieving Independence, Welcoming New Neighbors, Empowering Careers, Supporting Children & Families, Healing Trauma & Addiction and Aging with Dignity. Today, Catholic Charities is a family of more than 1,700 talented and dedicated colleagues, supported by nearly 4,000 selfless volunteers, and more than 10,000 generous donors. This Catholic Charities community includes people of all faiths, ages, and ethnicities, and together, they touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year.

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