With a long-standing mission to serve the most vulnerable in a major U.S. metropolitan area, a Catholic Charities agency plays a vital role in providing food, shelter and social services to thousands of individuals and families each year. When their CFO was promoted to the archdiocese, it set off a chain reaction of leadership changes. Facing the challenge of rebuilding their executive team to protect the heart of their work, the faith-based nonprofit entrusted Duffy Group to find leaders who could carry their mission forward and strengthen their already thriving organization. 

The Challenge

Recruiting senior-level talent is never easy — especially for a nonprofit in a competitive market where other industries offer higher salaries and benefits. Attracting experienced leaders to the nonprofit sector required more than just a strong job description. The Catholic-affiliated social service organization needed leaders who could balance strategic expertise with a deep commitment to Catholic values and a heart for service.  

Filling three senior-level roles in close succession introduced additional challenges: 

• Higher salaries and benefits in the private sector made it difficult to attract experienced candidates willing to transition to nonprofit work. 

• A limited number of large nonprofits in the market required a national search to find leaders with the right mix of experience and mission alignment. 

• Candidates needed both operational expertise and a strong understanding of Catholic social teachings to lead with both strategy and heart. 

• These roles made up most of the nonprofit's executive team. The right leadership was essential to keep the organization strong and focused on its mission. 

• Final candidates needed to gain support from a diverse group of stakeholders, including board members and senior leaders. 

The Scenario

The nonprofit first connected with Duffy Group at the Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Conference, building a foundation of trust that became essential when their CFO was promoted to the archdiocese, leaving a key gap in the executive team.  

The faith-based nonprofit initially tried to fill the role through internal networks and public postings, even sending a mass email to contacts in the gaming industry, but finding the right mix of financial expertise and Catholic mission alignment proved difficult. 

Struggling to find the right fit, they turned to Duffy Group for support. The success of that search strengthened the relationship, and when the CEO announced plans to retire and the COO was promoted to the archdiocese, the faith-based nonprofit once again trusted us to help rebuild their executive team. 

The Solution

Finding leaders for faith-based organizations goes beyond qualifications — it's about finding those who truly embrace the mission. For Catholic Charities, we knew the right candidates had to be skilled professionals who also deeply aligned with the organization's values and commitment to service. 

Using our Duffy Recruitment Research™ process, we blended strategic research with thoughtful, story-driven outreach to uncover mission-driven talent. Our goal was to find leaders who could carry their mission forward with both strength and heart. 

• Developed a tailored strategy focused on leaders from similar-sized Catholic and nonprofit organizations who understood the unique demands of faith-based service. 

• Prioritized candidates with a strong commitment to Catholic social teachings and community service. 

• Expanded our search nationwide, engaging passive candidates with the right expertise and values who weren't actively job seeking. 

• Navigated multiple perspectives and expectations from the board and senior leaders, ensuring each finalist could earn the confidence of all decision-makers. 

The Outcome 

Our proprietary approach secured three pivotal leadership placements, strengthening the organization's ability to serve their community. Each leader was carefully chosen not just to fill a role, but to build on the legacy of their predecessors and drive the heart of their mission forward. 

• CFO: Identified 110 candidates, interviewed 5, hired within 2 months 

• CEO: Identified 203 candidates, interviewed 4, hired within 3.5 months 

• COO: Identified 160 candidates, interviewed 5, hired within 4 months 

With deep expertise and a shared commitment to Catholic values, the new leadership team impressed the board, positioning the Catholic Charities affiliate to sustain its essential programs and continue serving its community's most vulnerable.