NEW ORLEANS, JUNE 11, 2024 - The American Red Cross is proud to announce the appointment of Kenneth St. Charles, Ph.D. as the new Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana region. In this role, Dr. St. Charles will be accountable for ensuring consistent, responsive and timely delivery of the Red Cross humanitarian mission, which includes exceeding all fundraising goals, disaster planning and response, supporting a robust network of volunteer services, and developing critical external partner relationships. Located in New Orleans, he will also serve as the Executive Director for the Southeast Louisiana Chapter, one of three chapters in the region he now leads.

Kenneth will lead an operation that includes over 1,100 volunteers and 40 employees. This combined workforce responds to more than 1,600 home fires each year; educates residents on home fire safety and emergency preparedness; deploys to disasters outside the region; installs more than 3,100 free smoke alarms in more than 1,500 homes a year; teaches lifesaving skills to thousands of individuals and companies; delivers aid to international Red Cross partners and those affected by emergencies across the globe; annually provides CPR-trained volunteers at first aid stations along New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parade routes; and provides support to military members, veterans and their families.

“I am honored and humbled beyond words to join such a historic and important organization at this critical time in our history, where large disasters like hurricanes, floods and tornadoes are increasing in frequency and intensity,” said Dr. Kenneth St. Charles, Regional CEO of the Louisiana Red Cross. “The support and life-saving assistance provided across the Louisiana region is unique in so many ways, made even more so by the diverse cadre of Red Crossers, donors and partners that make our work possible. I am especially looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate with local and regional donors who we depend on to ensure that the world’s largest humanitarian network can continue to provide care and comfort for people in need.”

A lifelong Louisiana resident and well-known community leader, Dr. St. Charles comes to the position with a long and distinguished career spanning the non-profit, education and military sectors. Most recently, he served as the Vice President for Philanthropy at the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF), where in 2021 he led the effort that raised $8.1 million over a 3-month period in support of the Hurricane Ida Disaster Fund. Prior to joining GNOF, he served as President and CEO for five years at his alma mater, St. Augustine High School, where he raised $11 million in scholarships, endowment and tuition assistance while leading the charge to increase student enrollment, improve student academic performance, design new course offerings and ensure a complete renovation of academic classrooms and science facilities.

He has also served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA; Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Xavier University of Louisiana, where his efforts following Hurricane Katrina proved pivotal in the future and stability of the University; and as Area Director for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Proud veteran of the United States Army, Dr. St. Charles retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of active service and held positions that included Inspector General, Command and General Staff College Instructor, Company Commander and Aide de Camp to a Commanding General. Kenneth deployed on active duty to Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm in 2003 following 9-11.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. St. Charles to the Louisiana region of the Red Cross,” said Chad Priest, Vice President - Southwest and Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross. “Kenneth is a true philanthropic and compassionate leader who understands the importance of building lifelong relationships with both donors as well as the beneficiaries of their generosity that ultimately leads to a genuine sense of fulfillment. That’s an asset that will serve him and the region well, including its most vulnerable communities. We are very fortunate to have him leading our Louisiana efforts.”

The Louisiana region of the American Red Cross serves more than 4.5 million people throughout 64 parishes. The Southeast Louisiana Chapter has locations in the Greater New Orleans area, Madisonville and Hahnville; the Capital West Chapter serves Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles; and the North Chapter serves Shreveport, Alexandria and Monroe.

Kenneth is presently on the Board of Directors for the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR), The Times Picayune Advisory Board, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation and the DePaul/Daughters of Charity New Orleans Foundation. Past board commitments have included Second Harvest Food Bank, St. Augustine High School and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He is a 2023 recipient of the Chartered Advisor of Philanthropy (CAP) designation.

Dr. St. Charles earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Loyola University New Orleans.

Kenneth has been married to Lori Robinson St. Charles for 35 years and they are the parents of two adult daughters, Taylor and Kennedy. He enjoys gardening, reading, exercising, watching sports, puzzles and walking their dog Cosmo.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.