Washington, D.C., March 12, 2026 — Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington formally launched its Corporate Advisory Council, a new initiative designed to deepen engagement with the business community and strengthen support for the agency’s mission to serve those most in need.
“The launch of our Corporate Advisory Council marks a significant new chapter in our engagement with the business community,” said Jim Malloy, Catholic Charities DC president and CEO. “When mission-driven service organizations like ours and corporate leaders come together, the impact we can achieve for those in need that can be truly transformative as we work together to a build a stronger, more resilient community for all.”
The Corporate Advisory Council is comprised of business leaders from a range of industry sectors who will serve as ambassadors for the Catholic Charities DC’s brand, promote volunteerism, and help influence philanthropic support to ensure long-term mission delivery.
“Catholic Charities DC has an unwavering commitment to serving every person in need who comes through their doors, regardless of faith background or walk of life,” said Geoff Gonella, Chair of the Corporate Advisory Council and Chief Executive Officer at Cornerstone Government Affairs. “They meet people where they are, with dignity and without condition. As business leaders, we have the means and responsibility to invest in organizations that are doing this kind of meaningful work to help uplift our community.”
With an external-facing strategic focus, the Council serves as a conduit between Catholic Charities DC’s comprehensive social services and the philanthropic investments available through the business community, increasing brand awareness and driving alignment between corporate giving and community need.
By launching the Corporate Advisory Council, Catholic Charities DC, one of the largest social services agencies serving Washington, D.C. and neighboring Maryland counties, reinforces its commitment to building meaningful partnerships that support individuals and families across the region.
Corporate Advisory Council Members
Candice Austin, Director of State Government and Local Affairs at Verizon; Brian Bernasek, Managing Director, Partner, and Co-Head of Americas Corporate Private Equity at Carlyle Group; Terence Callahan, President, DC Market for United Bank; Dave Diluigi, Board Chair of Catholic Charities DC and Head of US Markets at Wilmington Trust/M&T Bank; Steve Jepson, Senior Vice President, Commercial Markets at CareFirst; Dan Kotter, Greater Washington Office Managing Partner for Ernst & Young; Susan Lacz, CEO of Ridgewells Catering; Meg Lewis, Federal Portfolio Manager at Zachary Piper Solutions; Dennis Lucey, Vice President at AKIMA; John Richardson, Retired Admiral and Former Chief of Naval Operations and Current Board Member at Boeing, BWX Technologies, Inc., and Constellation Energy Corporation; Jessica Zielke, Senior Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Hilton.
About Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Catholic Charities DC is one of the largest independent social services agencies in the metropolitan D.C. area. As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Washington, Catholic Charities DC invests in communities by providing critical services to hundreds of thousands of people in need throughout the District of Columbia and Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland. The organization works tirelessly to give help that empowers and hope that lasts to those it serves regardless of background, belief, or circumstance. For more information, visit www.catholiccharitiesdc.org and follow us on social media @CCADW.
Media: For additional information, contact Catholic Charities’ Communications department at communications@cc-dc.org.