Bishop Koenig has appointed Ruth Anne White as executive director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Wilmington, it was announced May 15.
White comes to the diocese from the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare in College Park, Md., where she served as its co-founder and executive director since May 2008. She replaces Fritz Jones who retired in January after 45 years of service in leadership with Catholic Charities.
“Ms. White is one of the nation’s leading experts on child welfare and housing policy. We are blessed to have her join our diocese as the new executive director of Catholic Charities,” said Bishop Koenig. “Her vast experience working with the homeless, youth and children, coupled with her tremendous management and administrative experience, makes her the ideal person to lead our ministries serving our most vulnerable brothers and sisters in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”
In addition to her tenure at the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, White has served as director of housing and community development policy for Catholic Charities USA in Alexandria, Va.; director of housing and homelessness for the Child Welfare League in Washington; program manager for the Hospitality Center and VOA Family Shelter for Volunteers of America of Central Ohio in Columbus, and family development specialist and interim director for Lutheran Social Services Supportive Housing Department in Columbus, Ohio.
White has a degree in social work from Ohio State University, a master’s degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University and is a doctoral candidate, National School of Social Service at Catholic University of America.
She has served on many boards, received multiple honors and has been involved in countless community activities. She has served as adjunct faculty at Gallaudet University and Catholic University of America. Additionally, her work has been featured in various publications and she has given presentations on topics such as housing, homelessness, human behavior, child welfare and families.
“As I prepare to join the Catholic Charities team in Wilmington, I do so with a profound sense of gratitude to Bishop Koenig, the board of directors and the sophisticated network of professionals and parishioners who deliver God’s message of hope and love through their life and work,” White said. “I look forward to investing the inspiration I draw from my Catholic faith and tapping the goodwill of others to dramatically expand our capacity to help shape strong, healthy, and vibrant communities across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”
She is scheduled to start her new job in July.
