A Legacy of Compassion: Cynthia Colbert retires from Catholic Charities

Retiring CEO Cynthia Nunes Colbert, at left, said she will miss meeting those who visit Catholic Charities three food pantries, including Trini’s Market at the Mamie George Community Center in Fort Bend. (Photo by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)HOUSTON — For more than a decade, Cynthia Nunes Colbert dedicated her life to serving as a voice for the poor and vulnerable as president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. After much prayerful discernment, she decided the time is right to retire. 

“Leading Catholic Charities has been one of the greatest blessings of my career,” she said. “Every day, I’ve been inspired by our work as we care for our neighbors in need through services that offer relief and stability. Most of all, I am inspired when I see Christ reflected in the faces of the people we help. They are God’s children, representing all walks of life and faith backgrounds.” 

As she looks back on her years at Catholic Charities, she says it has truly been a blessing to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities for growth at the agency. 

Those challenges included steering a swift response to several natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Within just a few days following one of the most devastating storms in U.S. history, Colbert rallied the staff to set up distribution of food, cleaning supplies, financial assistance and other essentials to people who suffered storm loss. Other weather catastrophes followed, and Colbert ensured that her team moved into action each time.

She also led the organization through one of the most extraordinary periods in our country’s history, the COVID-19 pandemic. With Colbert at the helm, Catholic Charities was recognized for its outstanding record in administering public funds. The agency was trusted with providing $250 million in federal funds to families who were in financial peril — including eviction — as a result of the pandemic.

More recently, Colbert led the launch of a $25 million campaign to fund construction of the new Family Opportunity Center in the Eastex-Jensen community. The facility will open by 2028 — after Colbert leaves the agency, reflecting her vision as a state-of-the-art food pantry and a wide array of services to support families on their journey toward self-sufficiency. 

During her tenure at Catholic Charities, Colbert earned numerous awards and accolades, testaments to her steadfast leadership and commitment to the organization. She received recognition from the Houston Business Journal, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and, most recently, the International Association of Top Professionals. She has given generously of her time and talents, serving on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Houston Branch of the Dallas Federal Reserve, the United Way, the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation, the Network for Behavioral Health, and Catholic Charities USA. Additionally, she has dedicated her time to nurturing the next generation of nonprofit leaders as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Downtown. 

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Colbert is most proud to be the mother of two sons, David and Derek, and clearly evidences her love for her family. Tragically, in 2018, Colbert experienced heart-shattering loss when David died unexpectedly from heatstroke.
“The loss of a child is the unthinkable, the unimaginable. No one knows how to cope until it happens to you,” she said. 

Despite her immense grief, Colbert continued to guide Catholic Charities with courage and clarity. Under her direction, the agency thrived and is well-positioned to carry out its mission for many years to come, offering hope and restoring faith for so many. 

Colbert said she thanks all donors for their generosity, and also for the confidence they placed in Catholic Charities. 

“Your trust allows us to dream bigger, respond faster and serve more effectively,” she said. “It has been a privilege to steward your gifts and to witness the impact they create in the lives of the families and individuals we serve every day.”

As she prepares to enter her new chapter, she looks forward to spending more time with family, including her precious grandchildren.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve this agency. It has been an honor of a lifetime,” she said. “May God continue to bless you and Catholic Charities. Thank you for being people of faith who help people in need achieve self-sufficiency and live with dignity.” ​