Leadership

Gladys Gonzalez has been with Catholic Charities for five years, serving in various roles at multiple sites to advance the mission, increase capacity and sustainability, and has managed over 45 programs providing relief to those most vulnerable in our community. Currently, Gladys is the Executive Director at St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home and is responsible for providing a safe and loving refuge for children in crisis with the goal of breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect in children. Previously, Gladys served as Vice President of Programs for Catholic Charities where she developed, implemented, and maintained operations as the organization established a new business model.

As Executive Director at Guadalupe Community Center, Gladys was instrumental in launching new programs to address emergency services, education, and self-sufficiency initiatives ensuring compliance with federal grants and local funding. Prior to Catholic Charities, she held roles as a Talent Acquisition Manager and Operations Director for Career Transitions, an executive coaching organization. She began her career at USAA where she worked for 19 years with her last role working in the Office of CEO Support. Gladys has a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Rey Acosta, Vice President of Programs, is responsible for direct implementation of the services and support services provided to the children at St. PJ’s Children’s Home. In this role, he also strategizes for goal, objective, and outcome achievement related to the Global Intervention Plan. He is responsible for program operations, staff management, compliance, and quality assurance. Since joining St. PJ’s in 2004, Rey has held other positions including Associate Residential Programs Supervisor, Associate Director of Recruitment and Training, Program Director and Human Resources Manager. Rey earned his Bachelor of Business Administration  from the University of Texas – Permian Basin.

Janina Guajardo, International Program Director, is responsible for the care of international children, ages 5-17, who arrive in the US as unaccompanied minors or human trafficking victims. A licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker and Licensed Childcare Administrator, Janina ensures the safety and well-being of our children with quality of care and service delivery as her highest priorities. Janina  received a Bachelor of Social Work from Texas State University.