CONGRESO CEO CYNTHIA FIGUEROA TO LEAD PHILADELPHIA HUMAN SERVICES

July 13, 2016
Yvette Nunez, 267-241-9361

Agency embarks on national search for new leader

PHILADELPHIA—Congreso President and CEO Cynthia F. Figueroa will leave the agency as of August 10th after five years as President and CEO to join Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration as Commissioner for the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS). In this capacity, she will oversee the largest child welfare agency in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation, serving thousands of children and families annually. Kenney announced the appointment at a press conference today. Congreso CFO Dominique Bernardo will serve as Congreso’s Interim CEO.

“I am honored to return to the City’s administration team,” said Figueroa, who previously served as Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Human Services under Mayor Nutter. “I believe in Mayor Kenney’s vision for Philadelphia and know that our communities will benefit as a result,” she continued. “Congreso’s mission to strengthen Latino communities is one that I have devoted my career to, having served as either staff, board, funder or CEO for nearly 20 years. I am excited to see its continued growth under new leadership, and am so honored to have led such a qualified, compassionate group of community servants.”
Under her leadership, Congreso has experienced many accomplishments, including opening a Federally Qualified Health Center, expanding its campus with the addition of the Trujillo Center housing Pan American Charter School, founded by Congreso and Harcum College at Congreso, and the national recognition of its Data and Evaluation Department. Also, in recognition of its efforts to support other Latino nonprofits throughout the country, Congreso was named the National Council of La Raza Affiliate of the Year in 2014.

Congreso’s Board of Directors, chaired by Carolina Cabrera DiGiorgio, congratulates Mayor Kenney and his administration for the addition of Cynthia Figueroa to the City’s leadership team. “While we are saddened by Cynthia’s departure,” said DiGiorgio, “we applaud and support her decision, we thank her for her years of service to Congreso, and we look forward to watching her take the helm to continue to serve our communities in her new role. Congreso is a nationally-renowned agency, serving nearly 18,000 of our region’s neediest individuals and families. Our executive leadership team is poised to continue operations and its focus on strengthening Latino communities during the search.”

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