Media CenterCatholic Relief Services Hires New Global Chief People & Diversity Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kim Pozniak
Catholic Relief Services
(571) 263-1193
[email protected]

BALTIMORE, MD, September 2, 2020 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) today announced Candace Osunsade will be joining the organization as its new Executive Vice President/Global Chief People and Diversity Officer. Osunsade officially begins her new role on October 13, 2020.

Osunsade previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and held Human Resource leadership roles at Erickson Retirement Communities, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company and ADP.

“We are thrilled and humbled to attract someone as talented and engaging as Candace,” said Sean Callahan, CEO and president at CRS. “Her track record of recruiting, cultivating and retaining top notch, diverse teams will be a tremendous asset to CRS as we continue to seek out and support the best talent around the world to fulfill our mission. Her personal commitment to service to community aligns beautifully with CRS’ ethos.”

In her new role, Osunsade will lead HR teams at CRS’ global headquarters in Baltimore and their support for HR teams in country programs around the world. With upwards of 7,000 staff globally, she will spearhead strategic initiatives to support CRS’ talented, mission-driven global team.

“I was immediately drawn to the mission of CRS and the talented people committed to improving the human experience for people in need,” she said.  “As a philanthropist and world traveler, I am delighted at this opportunity to join CRS in a leadership role.”

Osunsade added that, “My life choices reflect my unwavering commitment to empowering people to be their best; when much has been given much is required.  Joining the CRS team will allow me to continue to fulfill my purpose of a life in service to others; engaging as a thought partner to fully leverage our diverse and richly talented team of people around the world.”

A graduate of Cornell University, Osunsade is a certified Senior Human Resource Professional, a Non- Profit Standards of Excellence Consultant and an Executive Leadership Coach. In 2015, Osunsade was recognized as the Non-Profit Chief Human Resource Officer of the Year by HRO Today and, most recently, as one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland by The Daily Record. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Executive Alliance, and the Women’s Business Council. Osunsade is also actively engaged in the Baltimore community as a Board Member for Building Steps, Associated Black Charities, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and the Maryland Governor’s Tourism and Development Commission.

“Especially in this uncertain time of COVID-19 and many employees working remotely, we need a leader to bolster employee engagement and guide our talented mission-driven global workforce with experience, expertise and compassion, and Candace is the right person for the job,” Callahan said.

# # #

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.  For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Journalists & editors:

For photos, audio clips, video material & b-roll, contact: Nikki Gamer at [email protected] or 443-955-7125

Online Tools:

CRS Online Press Room: www.crs.org/press-room