Exiting Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul
After serving as the executive director of St. Vincent de Paul of Cincinnati since 2015, Mike Dunn is stepping down to pursue other professional opportunities. Dunn said in a statement that “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. SVDP has made such a significant positive impact on my life, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had over these last seven-plus years.”
Dunn oversaw large organizational growth. Under his tenure, SVDP executed a five-year strategic plan, had annual revenue increase from $23 million to $45 million, increased accessibility to food assistance, grew outreach service programs, and grew the volunteer base by over a thousand.
St. Vincent de Paul has formed a committee composed of members of the board of directors and staff to oversee a national search for the next executive director. A local executive search firm has been hired to conduct the search.
We asked Dunn four questions about his time at St. Vincent de Paul and his impact on the community.
How did you come to serve at St. Vincent de Paul?
I was made aware of the opening in January 2015 by Kathy List, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters here in Cincinnati. She let me know that Liz Carter (the previous SVDP executive director) was leaving SVDP to take over the Scripps Foundation. I then heard from Gilman Partners soon after about the search.
What was your favorite aspect of working at St. Vincent de Paul?
The people! I have had the great honor and privilege of working with and serving so many wonderful people. Few positions afford you the opportunity to meet with a dedicated volunteer, a city official, a large donor, a neighbor seeking assistance, a hospital administrator and a staff member trying to navigate work-life as a single mom, all in the same day, but I have had many of those days.
What are some of your favorite memories working at St. Vincent de Paul?
I am so very proud of what we have been able to accomplish during my time here. I inherited a great organization and think we have furthered it even more during my time so the next leader can hit the ground running and take it to even greater heights.
What’s something you learned from your time with St. Vincent de Paul that will stay with you?
People are much more similar than not. Unfortunately, our society currently seems to be hyper focused on our collective differences. But if you take time to get to know people (even from vastly different backgrounds), we have much more in common with each other than some might think.
