Robert Siebel will be retiring as CEO of Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens (CCBQ) and related agencies, effective Nov. 1.
Siebel, a member of St. Andrew the Apostle parish, Bay Ridge, has served in this capacity for over 11 years, in a career spanning 41 years with Catholic Charities.
“I am deeply grateful for all that Catholic Charities has meant in my life; the work we have done together over the years has immeasurably deepened my appreciation of the human spirit and our tremendous collective capacity to do good,” said Siebel. “I look forward with excitement to the next chapter in CCBQ’s evolution.”
Siebel was appointed CEO and executive director in 2002. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities has grown to become one of the largest social service agencies in the country and is credited with expanding the agency’s ability to work and partner with thousands of families, individuals and neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn and Queens.
Siebel joined Catholic Charities in 1973 as a mental health case-aide at its Flatlands Guidance Center, rising through the ranks and holding a variety of positions, including youth development coordinator, regional director for Northern Brooklyn, associate executive director and chief operating officer. He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards, as well as chairing the N.Y.S. Council of Catholic Charities Directors from 2006 to 2009 and serving as a member of the Alexandria, Va.-based Catholic Charities USA board of trustees from 2005 to 2011.
He helped develop numerous service models for the organization, including residential programs for persons struggling with mental illness, services to the homeless and a nationally recognized training program for early childhood development workers, The Caritas Center. He served as chief architect of Catholic Charities’ extensive Sept. 11 disaster response efforts on behalf of affected individuals and families, including bereavement services, counseling, financial assistance, emergency day care and employment services. He served as a similar catalyst to the agency’s robust response to Superstorm Sandy.
“His work with Catholic Charities during the past 41 years has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of families in need throughout Brooklyn and Queens,” said Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, vicar for human services. “Robert has left an indelible imprint upon Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. We are grateful for his years of leadership and dedication.”
During this transition period, Msgr. LoPinto will assume the role of interim CEO. Siebel will assist in a consultative and supportive role through November, 2015.
In 2014, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens completed the first stage of a Strategic Visioning process. The many activities of this phase resulted in a re-articulated mission statement and the setting of strategic directions for the agency in the areas of sustainability, presence and innovation.
