Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

The Archdiocese of Baltimore hired, from left, Joann Pelipesky, Yvonne Wenger and Bernadette Maldonado to leadership posts.

Archdiocese of Baltimore appoints new directors


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Uncategorized

Archbishop William E. Lori has made several leadership appointments at the Catholic Center in Baltimore.

Bernadette Maldonado, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Silver Spring, was appointed chief advancement officer and executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation July 15. Her background includes strategic fundraising and she has served in multiple leadership roles for different universities, including University of Maryland, Creighton University and University of San Diego.

Maldonado is responsible for overseeing fundraising efforts of the archdiocese, including parish stewardship programs, the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries, the Partners in Excellence scholarship program and the Catholic Community Foundation.

“I have this deep feeling within my heart to support stewardship as a process which leads to generosity,” she said.

Only four months after her arrival, she led the first international annual Giving Tuesday in which more than $43,700 was raised for parishes from the #GiveCatholicAOB online campaign in collaboration with Give Central.

“As a Catholic woman and Catholic leader,” Maldonado said, “I have the opportunity, along my team, to help expand the understanding and awareness about these ultimate acts of generosity through the lens of stewardship, which are an ongoing expression of our faith in supporting the work of the ministries in the archdiocese.”

Yvonne Wenger, a parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas in Hampden, was appointed director of community affairs Dec. 10. She comes from a background of journalism with the Baltimore Sun, covering poverty, the child support system and social welfare.

Wenger’s new role includes developing and strengthening archdiocesan partnerships with local government officials, community leaders and others serving in the community.

She said the church will move forward in terms of Community Affairs by “creating impact, meeting needs and strengthening ties.” These actions will be reflected in maintaining the archdiocesan grief ministry, supporting archdiocesan mental wellness resources, participating in the archdiocesan racial justice group, organizing local parish vaccination clinics and assisting people with other pandemic-related issues, helping to establish a Boys & Girls club at a former Catholic school in Cumberland and staffing the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.

“The church wants to do more, not less,” she said. “I want to create connections and network. I want people to know that I’m here and I want to help.”

Joann M. Pelipesky, a parishioner of St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Bethesda, was appointed executive director of human resources Dec. 13. She comes from an extensive background in human resources management in the corporate and nonprofit arenas.

Pelipesky’s position develops and implements structures and systems to support the workforce of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Her role oversees employee benefits and provides human resource services for parishes, Catholic schools and Central Services.

She arrives as a leader in human resources at a time in which the country faces recruitment challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic. Pelipesky is a member of the COVID-19 task force, which meets every other week to discuss current and future protocols and federal mandates.

The mission of human resources is to “provide resources and benefits, lead people to the right information and make sure employees have a place to go,” she said.

“I’ve always said in my career, I try to keep it ‘human’ in human resources,” Pelipesky said. “We’re not just about processes. We need to have that human touch from a perspective of great empathetic listeners.”

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

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