St. Vincent’s is dedicated to strengthening low-income families and seniors through programs rooted in the Social Teachings of the Catholic Church. Faithful to the charism of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, we serve our sisters and brothers by providing affordable housing, early childhood education, and family enrichment opportunities.

QUESTION 1: The Awakening – From Numbers to Mission “Rosa, you came to St. Vincent’s in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer—a numbers person working with balance sheets and budgets. But somewhere in those early years, something shifted. You’ve said you had ‘the unique opportunity to learn the history of the Daughters of Charity.’ What was that turning point? Can you take us back to the moment when you realized this wasn’t just accounting—this was a calling?”

QUESTION 2: Carrying Forward a Sacred Legacy “In 2017, you became St. Vincent’s first lay CEO after 159 years of religious leadership. That’s an enormous responsibility—not just operationally, but spiritually. You’ve described yourself as ‘the champion of St. Vincent’s legacy.’ What does that mean to you? How do you keep the spirit of those first Daughters of Charity—who arrived in 1858 with just two trunks and endless compassion—alive and relevant in 2025?”


QUESTION 3: Hope Starts Here – Responding to Today’s Crisis “That spirit of adaptation and meeting community needs is leading St. Vincent’s into something new. Tell us about the Father Virgil Cordano Center and what you’re envisioning for 2026. Santa Barbara is facing a growing homelessness crisis—how is St. Vincent’s responding with the same courage those Sisters showed 167 years ago?”
Website: stvincents-sb.org