Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland Names Christopher Larson as Chief Executive Officer

Posted April 16, 2026

CLEVELAND, OH- APRIL 16, 2026- Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, today announced the appointment of Christopher Larson as its next Chief Executive Officer. Larson will assume the role on June 1.

Larson brings more than 35 years of nonprofit leadership experience to this critical role, with a focus on organizational development, leadership training, and delivering measurable community impact. He most recently served as Senior Vice President of Talent Strategy & Operations at City Year, Inc., a national education nonprofit, where he led leadership development and organizational alignment efforts across multiple sites.

Larson previously served as Executive Director of City Year Cleveland and as Chief Operating Officer of El Barrio, giving him deep experience in the Cleveland community and a strong understanding of local needs.

"Chris brings the experience and leadership needed to guide Catholic Charities into its next chapter," said Anthony Searcy, Catholic Charities Board Chair. "His ability to build strong teams, align organizations around clear goals, and deliver results makes him well-suited to lead our mission forward."

Throughout his career, Larson has led significant organizational growth, strengthened community partnerships, and developed leaders at scale. His work has focused on aligning strategy, people, and performance to deliver meaningful outcomes.

"I am honored and humbled to join Catholic Charities and to continue the work of building on a legacy of service," said Larson. "It's truly an honor to have this opportunity to work alongside our dedicated staff and partners within our community to strengthen impact and expand opportunities for those we are privileged to serve."

Catholic Charities also extends its gratitude to Dan Horrigan, who served as Interim CEO during the leadership transition. His stewardship provided continuity and stability for the organization during this period of change.

ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND:

As one of Northeast Ohio’s largest health and human service nonprofit organizations, Catholic Charities provides help and creates hope for people of every race and religion across eight counties: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne. All services are rooted in the belief that every person is made in God’s image. Our programs help the individuals and families we serve — especially those living in poverty — reach their full potential. To learn more, visit ccdocle.org.

Media contact: Terrance Ray, 216.403.4919, Terrance.Ray@ccdocle.org