Letter from Executive Director Mike Dunn

Time flies when you are having fun! That old, wise saying certainly applies to my experience as the Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati (SVDP). I began my journey as the Executive Director on June 1, 2015. I did not have clear expectations of what the journey would entail, only that I was excited to have the opportunity to serve in this way.

Whatever expectations I did have, clearly my experiences have surpassed those expectations. My time at SVDP has been such a gift. I have met so many tremendous people and had so many memorable experiences. There are not many positions where you have the opportunity to meet with a Vincentian, a city leader, a generous donor, a homeless person, and a single mom trying to raise her family on an entry-level income all during the same day. For me, that has been a common occurrence.

Neighbors helping Neighbors is so simple, yet so beautiful and complex. Who really is doing the helping and who really is being helped? I have learned so much about my fellow neighbor and myself during these last seven plus years. This has been the most life-giving professional experience I have ever had, by a long shot.

There is never a great time to step away from such a wonderful organization, but as SVDP begins to make preparations for its new strategic plan to be implemented on October 1, 2023, I thought this window of time was best for such a move, both for the organization, as well as for the new Executive Director who succeeds me. December 31, 2022 will be my last day as Executive Director. I am confident we will hire someone great to guide SVDP into the future.

My wife, Anne, and my kids, James, Katie and Emily, are remaining in Cincinnati and we will continue to support SVDP in any way we can. SVDP has made such a significant positive impact on my life, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had. Thank you!

Should you have questions about this transition, please contact Alison Zlatic, SVDP District Council President, at alisonzlatic@gmail.com.

Mike Dunn, Executive Director