Catholic Guardian Services appoints five new board members

Catholic Guardian Services, a Manhattan- and Bronx-based human services nonprofit helping at-risk children and families in New York’s underserved communities, has appointed five new members to its board of directors. 

New to the board are: Frank Pacheco, director of e-commerce strategy of Stanley Black & Decker; Luciano Severo Rodembusch, president of Pandora North America; Ania Krasniewska Shahidi, group vice president of Gartner; David Schwed, global head of digital assets technology at BNY Mellon; and Catherine Nelson, a financial advisor specializing in global asset management. 

“The business insights that Frank, Luciano, Ania, David, and Catherine bring to the Board will be invaluable, as we strive to expand our services to help more New Yorkers in need, and enable them to lead safer, healthier lives," said CGS Executive Director Craig Longley in a statement.

The new members are expected to collectively bring years of executive leadership and expertise in achieving enterprise growth to the board of directors, according to CGS.

“Supporting underprivileged populations is a cause very close to my heart,” said Rodembusch in a statement about his appointment. “I’m proud to help raise awareness about Catholic Guardian’s important mission and ensure that they continue to transform lives for another 100 years.”

A longtime advocate of disadvantaged youth, Nelson said, she was "proud to serve on the board of an organization that creates hope and preserves dignity for New York City’s most vulnerable populations.”

Commenting on his board appointment Pacheco said, “the commitment and dedication of Catholic Guardian’s amazing team is truly inspiring. I look forward to a successful collaboration to help make a difference for families in New York’s underserved communities.”

Schwed offered “many thanks" to CGS for naming him to serve on the board. "I’m pleased to serve among a dedicated group of professionals with the goal of achieving the same mission – to guide individuals on a path toward a better life.”

CGS has been helping at-risk children and families in New York’s underserved communities through holistic, trauma-informed care since 1887. The organization provides family support services, foster care and child welfare services, and developmental disability services, and staffs a parenting resource center and the CGS Family Counseling and Wellness Center.