By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted April 25, 2024

Dr. Maria Elena Hallion has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Catholic Charities of South Jersey, according to a April 25 announcement from the Diocese of Camden.

Dr. Hallion’s previously served as the executive director of Branches Outreach in Rio Grande, NJ, which helps marginalized families and individuals in Cape May County receive access to food, clothing and social service resources. In this role, her tasks included overseeing the programming and services critical to the company’s mission, and fostering relationships with local organizations.

She also served as the interim Food Resources Director for the nonprofit Manna on Main Street in Lansdale, PA helping in its mission to end hunger by overseeing its “Grocers Against Hunger” program; organizing food drives; collaborating with local food banks, and supervising its College Student Basic Needs Program.

Dr. Hallion spent 23 years at Cabrini University in Radnor, PA serving in various classroom and administrative capacities. She was the department chair of Health and Exercise Sciences, where she developed a course on the social determinants of childhood obesity, “Let’s Feed Kids Well,” and a regional conference series on “The Convergence of Childhood Obesity and Hunger.” She was assistant dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Allied Health, as well as a professor in exercise science and health promotion.

Dr. Hallion received her undergraduate degree from West Chester University, her Master of Science Degree from East Stroudsburg University, and her Ph.D. in Health Education from Temple University.