By Sue Denny • Posted January 26, 2026

Last May, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia unified more than 40 charitable ministries under one name, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia. Rebranding continued over the summer with a new logo and redesigned website.

Now, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia (CCoP) has its very first chief human resources officer: Steve Colestock, 38.  His appointment demonstrates the agency’s commitment to its most valuable asset – its employees, said Secretary and Executive Vice President Heather Huot. They are the “hands of Christ” who care for the most vulnerable people every day.

Colestock brings many wonderful skills to the table, Huot said. “First and foremost, he is grounded in faith and mission. That is crucial, especially in this position. As he sets the tone for employment engagement, recruitment, retention, I am confident that it will always align with who we are as a Church.”

The Church of Philadelphia’s first Catholic Charities Office was created in 1912 but traces its roots to the Catholic response to the yellow fever epidemic in 1797. Today, Catholic Charities of Philadelphia employs an estimated 1,600 employees. The nonprofit organization annually provides food, housing, and other vital services impacting an estimated 300,000 people in the five-county archdiocese.

The rebranding process centralized dozens of programs under the single public-facing name encompassing Catholic Social Services, Catholic Housing and Community Services, and Nutritional Development Services.

Colestock’s new position, along with the rebranding, are part of a strategic effort to unify CCoP’s many programs and ministries and provide consistency across the organization, Huot said. The rebranding better communicates the breadth of its work, while the HR chief enables it to function more cohesively.

In an interview two months into his new position, Colestock said his role is to help unify programs and personnel and to create consistency across the organization.

“If we come together, improve efficiencies, become more streamlined, and make it easier to support our employees, they can focus on what they need to do – and that’s serving the individuals in our programs,” he said.

At the time of his appointment, CCoP Secretary and Executive Vice President Heather Huot called the hiring of Colestock “an important step in our strategic vision of empowering our employees, which will lead to a stronger, more resilient workforce.”

CCoP’s four pillars of service are clearly articulated in its redesigned website: to feed the hungry and provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness; to support at-risk children, youth, and families; to enrich the lives of senior citizens; and to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Colestock began his career as a recruiter at Melmark, a Berwyn organization serving people with disabilities and their families. In 2018, he joined CCoP as director of human resources for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Services division and later became senior director of HR for the Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence. Before his recent promotion, he was the senior director of HR for IDD Services.

According to his online resume, Colestock strives to be an “empathetic listener” with a “humble heart” for staff members battling addiction and mental health issues. Colestock has maintained his sobriety for eight years and draws from his own recovery to offer resources and encouragement.

“I don’t mind being vulnerable,” he said. If disclosing his personal journey can help others facing similar struggles, he’s happy to share. “It’s a big part of my life. I don’t shy away from it,” he explained. “I’m proud of it.”

Since October, Colestock has spent much of his time familiarizing himself with CCoP personnel and programs. So far, he is impressed by his interactions and observations.

“Every day I am amazed at how dedicated and mission-driven the staff is,” he said. “It’s incredible how much people want to make a difference. It’s truly inspirational. That may sound cliché, but it’s true.”

Colestock has identified several immediate priorities. His first tasks are a full policy review and a “deep-dive assessment” to determine whether programs have adequate staffing and resources. He also plans to solicit staff suggestions on ways to improve their work environments.

“I want people to be comfortable talking to us,” he said. “We are here to support them,” so they can best support clients.

The most pressing issue facing CCoP may be the implementation of a uniform payroll system, Colestock said. “While we have the best staff in the world, so committed, so dedicated, our weakness might be technology.”

He anticipates new automation tools and other improvements in technology will increase morale and enhance efficiency, enabling staff to spend more time on mission-driven service.

Colestock has worked in human resources for nonprofit organizations his entire career. “I want to work for a mission, for a cause, and I want to do what I can to empower people,” he said. “That’s always motivated me.”

In addition, he has volunteered with a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities in underdeveloped countries. His overseas volunteer work not only confirmed his career choice but also helped to inspire him to convert to Catholicism.

Following his marriage to his wife, Jackie, he began formation in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process. He was initiated in April 2023 at their home parish, Our Mother of Consolation in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill section, and their daughter, Avery, was born that June.

“It is important to us that our daughter has a solid faith background,” he said. The couple is expecting their second child in February.

In his free time, Colestock likes to be a “goof ball” with Avery, 2 ½, and spending time with other family and friends. He also enjoys hiking, traveling, playing chess, and following Philadelphia sports teams.