By Annalise Laumeyer
Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
Chris Slater, chief financial officer and interim chief executive officer (CEO) for Catholic Charities West Michigan, has been appointed by Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, as the CEO of Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM).
Slater, who has been serving as the interim CEO since October of 2017, will begin his new duties on July 16.
Bishop Walkowiak welcomed Slater to the position. “With Chris serving as interim CEO, Catholic Charities West Michigan has been operating well and is heading in an overall positive direction,” he said. “Catholic Charities West Michigan is a vital organization which allows the Catholic Church to serve people and families in need through many areas of education and programming.”
“I joined Catholic Charities West Michigan to be part of an agency that provides direct service to those most in need. After three years it is clear I made the right decision,” said Slater. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to continue leading our incredible staff that serves the most vulnerable throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids and beyond.”
Slater has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Michigan University. Prior to beginning work at Catholic Charities West Michigan in 2015, Slater served as the vice president of finance for Heart of West Michigan United Way. He serves on many community boards including as treasurer for Health Net West Michigan. Former CEO Kathleen Allen left the agency in October 2017.
About Catholic Charities West Michigan
For seven decades, Catholic Charities West Michigan has been feeding the hungry, counseling those who struggle and building strong families. Through a broad spectrum of social service programs focused on the needs of children and families, CCWM serves residents of 11 counties in West Michigan. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, CCWM has more than 275 employees who work from 11 locations and last year touched the lives of more than 21,000 individuals from Traverse City to Holland and points in between. CCWM operates the God’s Kitchen meal site on Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids and a food pantry on Third Street in Muskegon. For more information, visit www.ccwestmi.org.
