Bishop Duca Names New Director of Catholic Charities

Bishop Michael G. Duca announced today that Stephanie K. Sterling, LCSW-BACS, will become the new Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge effective July 1, 2024.
 
She will succeed David C. Aguillard, who last year announced his retirement effective June 30 after 15 years at the helm of the organization.
 
Sterling is currently Director of Family Services at Catholic Charities and rose to that leadership position after joining the agency as an adoption social worker in 2012.

“Stephanie brings experience and a life-long commitment to the Church’s mission to serve the poor and marginalized, especially women and children,” said Bishop Duca.

“Under her leadership, the Family Services Department obtained the highest accreditation possible as an adoption agency from the prestigious Hague Convention on the Protection of Children. In addition, she has implemented new award-winning services in early-childhood education and parental mentoring. I’m also delighted that David Aguillard will be available through June to assist in a smooth and seamless leadership transition,” the bishop added.
 
“I am honored to be chosen to lead Catholic Charities and the exceptional people I work with,” Sterling said. “I am committed to maintaining Catholic Charities’ reputation as a reliable agency and community resource in times of crisis, effectively providing innovative solutions for urgently arising needs of the underserved in our area,” she said.


(From left to right): Lisa Namikas, Fr. Jamin David, Stephanie Sterling, David Aguillard and Bishop Michael G. Duca

In addition to adoptions, Stephanie has overseen many signature programs of Catholic Charities such as The Sanctuary for Life, a home for homeless pregnant women, and was instrumental in its expansion to double the capacity of that ministry. She created and implemented a peer-to-peer mentoring program in which family coaches go to the homes of families with children and work in partnership to improve school readiness, early childhood development, and increase parental involvement in their children’s education.  That program was recognized by The Aspen Institute and the Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) Disaster Institute as a model of innovation.

Stephanie has also been a leader at the national level through CCUSA, serving as chair of its Children, Youth, and Families Services Steering Committee.

“I am blessed to serve my Catholic faith, the diocese, and our community by using the skills and experience obtained throughout my career. I look forward to working alongside our outstanding team to move the mission of Catholic Charities forward into its next phase,” Sterling said.

Stephanie serves on the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the Louisiana Safe Haven Consortium.  She received her BS from Louisiana State University and her MSW from Tulane.  She holds a 90-hour post graduate certification from Hunter College, NY in Adoption and Foster Care Competence. She has presented at local, statewide, and national conferences on Clinical Adoption Practice, Self-Care, Holistic Family Programs, and Disaster Behavioral Health.