Donna Corrado, executive director at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services Inc. (CCNS), an affiliate of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, has been appointed the new commissioner for the N.Y.C. Department for the Aging, as announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Feb. 18.
“During her 22 years of dedicated service and leadership to Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, Donna has displayed a deep compassion for those we serve and a creativity in responding to human needs,” remarked Robert Siebel, CEO of Catholic Charities and affiliated agencies. “Through her time here, Donna has demonstrated that she is a champion for the older adult. We know she will make a strong contribution as a vibrant member of Mayor de Blasio’s team.”
“I have had the good fortune over the past 22 years to have humbly served Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, by advancing its mission, expanding the agency’s portfolio of human services and contributing to its transformation to an agency of excellence,” remarked Dr. Corrado. “My formative years at Catholic Charities grounded me and strengthened my commitment to issues of social justice. I share Mayor de Blasio’s vision and values and I am honored to join the Administration to serve and represent over 1.4 million older adults living throughout all five boroughs of New York City.”
Dr. Corrado began her career in 1992 as a program director for Catholic Charities’ older adult programs. Later, serving as the director of the Office of Government Relations and Public Policy, she developed a broader understanding of policy issues and expanded her knowledge and expertise.
She was promoted to chief operating officer, where she played an integral role in expanding the agency service portfolio, developing new and innovative programming, diversifying funding entities, staffing and developing the board of directors and co-leading agency-wide strategic planning efforts, which led to a major agency reorganization and heightened expectations for creating an organization of excellence.
Last year, she was promoted to executive director of CCNS.
She also actively serves on several local and national committees and professional associations. In 2010, she received the Reverend Robert V. Lott Humanitarian Award presented by the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc., and in 2005, she was elected a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine.
She holds doctorate and master of philosophy degrees in social policy and administration from the Graduate Center of City University of New York; a master of social work degree from Stony Brook University, L.I.; and a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College, Clinton Hill.
Thaddeus Taberski, who held the position of executive director of CCNS at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens for 14 years before Dr. Corrado succeeded him, will return in a full-time capacity until a new director is named. Taberski was working as a part-time special assistant for agency integration for the past few months.