Catholic Charities Providing Help. Creating Hope.

New staff brings wealth of experience
to Catholic Charities

By Judy Bokorney
Web Site Editor

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. recently hired two new executive staff members. Philomena Pereira D’Sa is now chief operating officer (COO) for the organization and Robert Saunders is director of all programs in Collier County.

D’Sa will support staff of the 31 programs of Catholic Charities throughout the ten-county Diocese of Venice in Southwest Florida. She will oversee the fiscal and operational responsibilities of the agency while President/Chief Executive Officer Peter Routsis-Arroyo, in addition to his regular duties, will focus more on expanding disaster preparedness and response services, Catholic Charities Housing, Inc. and the Catholic Charities Foundation.

“Catholic Charities is growing and must be responsive and prepared to meet the demands of an increasing population in Southwest Florida,” D’Sa said. “I have experience in empowering staff, reengineering programs, and building new initiatives within a community. I am not here to make changes for the sake of making changes, I am here to support an already effective organization.”

D’Sa formerly worked with the BT Group in Sarasota where she provided consultation to companies on business and leadership development. Prior to that job, she was the executive director of Catholic Social Services of Morris County in New Jersey. She also was an adjunct professor at William Patterson University and held several director positions at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey. Overall D’Sa has more than 20 years of broad based knowledge in directing non-profit organizations and health care centers.

“A COO wears a lot of hats,” D’Sa said. “I like problem solving, enhancing and fine-tuning programs, and providing staff with resources and training while meeting their administrative needs.”

D’Sa has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master of Social Work degree in Social Administration from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City.

President Routsis-Arroyo said the development of the new COO position represents the growth of both Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Venice. “Philomena comes to us with a solid Catholic Charities background and truly has the mission in her heart,” he said.

“This job is more of a vocation to me,” D’Sa said. “We have many vulnerable people in Southwest Florida, such as low-income families, migrant farm workers and the elderly, that seek assistance. God places us where we are needed and I believe each of us can make a change in our community.”

Robert Saunders also comes to Catholic Charities with a wealth of experience. Saunders will oversee all programs in Collier County provided at the Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities and the Counseling Center of Catholic Charities both in Naples, and Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities in Immokalee.

Saunders, a seasoned administrator, was looking to wind down his career with a job that was more hands-on after years of leading non-profit organizations. “I want to get back to working directly with clients,” he said. “I plan to immerse myself into the culture of Catholic Charities and connect with the community by becoming active and contributing beyond my job.”

With 30 years of management in the fields of developmental disabilities, behavioral healthcare, child welfare and traumatic brain injury services, Saunders brings strength in staff development, budgetary issues and new program initiatives to Catholic Charities of Collier County.

“I am aware of the good reputation Catholic Charities has in the community,” Saunders said. “The foundation of the organization is excellent and the staff is fiercely dedicated to their mission.”

Most recently, Saunders was the chief operating officer of Lee County Mental Health, Inc. and also acted as COO for the Center for Family Support in New York City prior to the position in Fort Myers. He worked in executive director and director positions for Adults and Children With Learning and Developmental Disabilities in Bethpage, NY and United Cerebral Palsy in both Kingston and Roosevelt, New York.  He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. John’s University in Queens, NY and a master’s degree in social service from Fordham University in New York City.

“Bob will be a tremendous addition to not only Collier County but to Catholic Charities as a whole,” said Routsis-Arroyo.

“I am a social worker by training,” Saunders said. “After years of being in administration, I am looking forward to working closer with the client and the community of Collier County,” Saunders said.

For more information about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. call 941-488-5581.