Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is pleased to congratulate their own Donna Corrado, Ph.D., who was announced as the new commissioner for the New York City Department for the Aging by Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday, 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, the Chief Executive Officer 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 fortunate 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.”
Through her 21-year career with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, the human services arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Dr. Corrado provided leadership across the 160-plus programs which serve vulnerable populations across the continuum of care in the agency’s five service areas. 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 of CCNS’ diverse service areas and funding entities. From there, she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, where she played an integral role in expanding the agency service portfolio, developed new and innovative programming, diversified funding entities, staffed and developed the Board of Directors, co-led agency-wide strategic planning efforts which led to a major agency reorganization and heightened expectations for creating an organization of excellence.
In early November 2013, Dr. Corrado was promoted to Executive Director of Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services Inc. (CCNS). CCNS is an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, CCNS is one of five corporations that provide integrated services to the community under the Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens umbrella. CCNS is comprised of five service areas that deliver programming for persons with developmental disabilities, older adults, persons challenged with mental illness, early child development centers and family and youth services. Sister corporations under Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens provide affordable housing development and management, neighborhood-based community centers and community development services, home care and a nursing and rehabilitation center.
Corrado 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 a Doctorate and Masters 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 and a Bachelor degree from St. Joseph’s College.
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 in November has agreed to return in a full-time capacity to his former role in the interim period. Taberski was working as a part-time Special Assistant for Agency Integration for the past few months.
“We are gracious to Ted for returning to his former role, as he did a remarkable job during his 14-year tenure building a strong foundation for CCNS,” said Siebel. “I am thankful for his deep commitment to the Agency and under his leadership, we will be able to make this transition period seamless.”
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