St. Augustine, Fla. – Jill Leslie has been named Regional Director of the St. Augustine Regional Office of Catholic Charities Bureau for the Diocese of St. Augustine. She oversees the strategic leadership, management, operations, relationship building, revenue development and long-range strategic planning of the agency. Catholic Charities provides emergency food and financial assistance to serve the most vulnerable residents in St. Johns, Putnam and Flagler counties.  

“Jill Leslie’s commitment to serving the community and her extensive experience in nonprofit management and development make her the ideal person to lead the St. Augustine Regional Office,” said Anita Hassell, chief executive officer and diocesan director of Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. of the Diocese of St. Augustine. “She brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience to her position having served for organizations in Northeast and Central Florida.”

“It is an honor to join Catholic Charities,” commented Leslie. “I am humbled by the opportunity to lead a dynamic team in providing critical assistance and creating hope for families and individuals who are facing challenging circumstances.”

Most recently, Leslie held positions at Women’s Center of Jacksonville, PACE Center for Girls and Wounded Warrior Project where she was responsible for fundraising, development initiatives, grant writing, and major gifts.

Previously, Leslie served as the executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Northeast Florida and led the organization for nearly four years. She has worked with diverse audiences in Central Florida including the City of Casselberry, YMCA of Central Florida and Seniors First, Inc.

Leslie received a master’s in public administration from the University of Central Florida.

Leslie succeeds Mary Kelley Kryzwick as regional director. Kryzwick led the St. Augustine Regional Office for nearly five years and expanded services to include a Back Roads Mobile Food Pantry program and a Weekend Hunger Backpack Program to ensure food security for elementary and middle school children.

Catholic Charities helps transform lives by meeting basic human needs, restoring human dignity and assisting toward self-sufficiency. For more information, call Karen Mathis, director of development at (904) 829-6300, ext. 21 or email kmathis@ccbstaug.org. Visit www.ccbstaug.org.