Posted December 18, 2024
Takes the helm of Cleveland-based nonprofit February 4, 2025, succeeding Patrick Gareau
CLEVELAND, OHIO – December 18, 2024—Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, today announced the selection of Jim Mullen to serve as the new president and CEO of one of Northeast Ohio's largest comprehensive health and human services organizations. He will succeed Patrick Gareau, who will retire in January 2025.
"Serving individuals, families and communities who deserve transformational and lasting improvement in health equity is my life's work," said Jim Mullen. "It is an honor to follow in the path of my father, J. Thomas Mullen, who served in this very same role from 1994 to 2010. I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity."
Mullen has served as president and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina since 2015. Prior, he spent much of his career in the United Way network, in charge of multi-million-dollar fundraising efforts at United Way of Greater Cleveland and United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. Beyond his work with United Way, Mullen has an extensive background in change management and organizational management. He owned and operated successful small businesses in Lakewood and served as the executive director of the St. Vincent DePaul Society for Northeast Ohio.
"Jim is respected for his thought leadership, innovation, and growth of United Way's services to Summit & Medina counties," said Gareau. "This is highlighted through the impact of United Way's ‘Bold Goals 2025,’ a vision Jim set for transformational and lasting change, paving the way for shared initiatives, partnerships and measurable outcomes."
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, is one of the nation's five largest Catholic Charities agencies. It provides multigenerational services for families and children, emergency assistance to support food security and stable housing, critically needed behavioral health services for people seeking support, health and wellness through CYO athletics, camps for thousands of young people, and more.
"I am pleased to welcome Jim and thank Patrick, who has been instrumental in expanding the reach of Catholic Charities, which has grown to serve 400,000 community members each year. I am grateful to Patrick for the spirit of giving that he has demonstrated throughout his career. I wish him well in his next chapter, where he will, no doubt, continue to serve the community," said Diocese of Cleveland Bishop Edward C. Malesic.
Mullen earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a mini MBA from Belmont University. He is actively involved in the community through board service at the Greater Akron Chamber, ConxusNEO, County of Summit Social Service Advisory Board, and Revere Youth Football. He and his wife, Beth, have three children and reside in Akron.
ABOUT Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland:
As one of the largest comprehensive health and human services organizations in Northeast Ohio, Catholic Charities carries out the healing and helping mission of Jesus across the Diocese of Cleveland. Catholic Charities delivers 150 services at 60 locations to 400,000 individuals each year – providing help and creating hope for people of every race and religion throughout eight counties: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne. For more information, visit www.ccdocle.org.
Media contact: Rebecca Gallant, 216.318.0518, rebecca.gallant@ccdocle.org
Part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
