Joan F. Neal

Executive Vice President, U.S. Operations

As Executive Vice President for U.S. Operations, Joan F. Neal is responsible for leadership of CRS' mission of serving Catholics in the United States as they respond to the Gospel imperative to build a more just world. In this position, Ms. Neal leads the agency's domestic programs and advocacy aimed at educating and engaging U.S. Catholics in faith-based actions that promote international social justice and solidarity with poor and marginalized people overseas. Currently, under her direction are 6 regional offices located across the country as well as a support staff in Headquarters. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, colleges, universities and other Catholic organizations, U.S. Operations builds relationships across borders and provides concrete opportunities for U.S. Catholics to make a positive difference in the world by living as one, human family.

Prior to joining CRS in September 2002, Ms. Neal was president of her own management consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and leadership development for non-profit organizations. Many of her clients were Catholic agencies, dioceses, organizations and parishes in the Midwest. Ms. Neal also served as Associate Director of Leadership Greater Chicago, a leadership development institute for business, professional, government and non-profit sector executives. Additionally, in her long career as a banker, she held a variety of senior management positions for several large multinational banks.

Ms. Neal has chaired a number of diocesan and national boards and committees. She holds a B.A. in English from Loyola University Chicago, an M.A. in Pastoral Studies and a Certificate in Biblical Spirituality, both from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.