Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha S.D.V., of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Dutra, MA, LMHC to the position of Chief Executive Officer for Saint Vincent’s Services, Inc.  Mrs. Dutra has been an employee of Saint Vincent’s since February 2000 (twenty-two years) and has held several senior management positions during her tenure, including Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Program Director for the Community-Based Group Home Program and, since 2017, Chief Operating Officer (COO). 

 In her role as COO, Kristen maintained responsibility for overall clinical and administrative management of agency programs and services and has provided supervision for the members of the Program and Services Leadership Team.  She assumed primary responsibility as Saint Vincent’s liaison with state agencies and has overseen contract implementation and management functions.  Kristen developed the outpatient behavioral health clinic and has worked with community partners to expand clinic service delivery to include in-home, community-based, and school-based services.  Kristen has also overseen Saint Vincent’s Quality Management program and functions and has led the agency’s re-accreditation process to ensure that SVS maintains accreditation status with the Council on Accreditation (COA).

Bishop da Cunha appointed a Search Committee consisting of Saint Vincent’s Board Members and Leadership Staff to recruit and identify Saint Vincent’s next Chief Executive Officer. More than 60 resumes were submitted and, after careful review, Kristen’s application was presented to the Search Committee for consideration as the lead candidate.  The Search Committee interviewed Kristen and, upon diligent consideration, recommended Kristen to Bishop da Cunha for the position. “I was pleased to accept the Search Committee’s recommendation of Kristen Dutra to succeed Jack Weldon as the Chief Executive Officer of Saint Vincent’s Services. She brings to the position extensive knowledge of the varied programs and services provided by Saint Vincent’s from her over 20 years of employment there across clinical and administrative management areas. She is ready to lead Saint Vincent’s forward to continue the agency’s long-time commitment to serving young people and families in this region. I offer Kristen my prayers and best wishes as she begins her new responsibilities.” Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V.

Upon learning of Mrs. Dutra’s appointment, outgoing CEO, Jack Weldon, said: “As I wind down my fifty-year career and prepare to leave Saint Vincent’s after twenty-five years as Chief Executive Officer,  I am confident that Saint Vincent’s will be in capable hands with Kristen in the CEO position.  She has prepared well for this position, brings solid leadership experience, and enjoys the respect of our community partners, contracting agencies, insurers and managed care entities, licensing and credentialing bodies”.  Mr. Weldon added, “I wish Kristen well in her new position of leadership and know that she will continue to achieve the Mission of Saint Vincent’s, going forward.”

Kristen received her undergraduate degree from Stonehill College, her Master’s Degree in 1997 from Lesley University, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Mrs. Dutra will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2022.