Archdiocese Names Executive Director of Development; Head of Catholic Education Advancement Appointed

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After a yearlong, nationwide search, Bettina Alonso has been named executive director of the archdiocese’s Development Office. Ms. Alonso, who previously served as vice president for global development at Oceana, an international advocacy organization working for ocean conservation, began her appointment Nov. 17.

She replaces Helen Lowe, who announced plans to step down as executive director last November after serving 20 years in that position.

Ms. Alonso, a lifelong Catholic who hails from Spain, served at Oceana for 10 years, starting in the organization’s office in her native land and moving to New York seven years ago when she was appointed vice-president. Fluent in English, Spanish and German, she holds a master’s degree in international affairs.

In a Nov. 17 letter announcing Ms. Alonso’s appointment, Cardinal Dolan said she was “excited” to focus her development efforts on her faith. “She will, most assuredly, be a resource to our archdiocese, and I am sure that you will join me in welcoming her,” he wrote.

During her tenure at Oceana she helped increase the organization’s operating budget from $8 million in 2004 to close to $30 million in 2014. She plans to bring that fund-raising acumen to the archdiocese.

“I think I saved a lot of sardines in 10 years, and Cardinal Dolan likes to play with those words and say that now I’m saving souls,” she said with a laugh. As executive director, she described her mission as simply “to raise as much money as we can for the archdiocese.”

“It’s a very interesting challenge,” she said.

She said she saw plenty of opportunities to get the word out about how the archdiocese touches the lives of the faithful in the archdiocese in so many ways. “I don’t think people are aware of all the services and all the support we provide,” she said adding she is impressed by the diversity of people and parishes in the Archdiocese of New York.

The archdiocese also announced the appointment of Susan George as executive director of the new Catholic Education Advancement Office. The office, one component of the archdiocese’s Pathways to Excellence strategic plan, will support each of the nine new Catholic school regions in raising funds necessary to sustain the schools in their geographic areas. Ms. George served for the last 10 years as executive director of the archdiocese’s Inner-City Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition assistance to low-income students attending inner-city Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

Cardinal Dolan praised Ms. George’s work in that capacity stating, “With her experience and passion for Catholic education we could not think of a stronger candidate than Susan to coordinate and execute our fund-raising strategy for Catholic schools.” Ms. George will continue to maintain oversight of the Inner-City Scholarship Fund as she takes on a larger portfolio.

“I’m really excited,” she told CNY. “I’ve been here for 10 years and I’m very committed to Catholic education. I’m thrilled to be able work with all the schools in addition to the inner-city schools.”