Dr. Alexandra C. Durán joins CCSCC as Chief Operating Officer

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County welcomes our new Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Alexandra C. Durán, who joined the agency in June. She brings more than 20 years of leadership in education, workforce development, and community empowerment. As COO, she oversees the agency’s wide range of anti-poverty programs and services, which employ more than 500 dedicated staff across more than 75 sites throughout the county. Alexandra is working closely with CEO Don Taylor and the senior leadership team to strengthen and expand the agency’s impact—building on 70 years of trusted service—by implementing strategies that disrupt poverty, integrate services, and improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.

A proud Latina immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Alexandra’s personal journey through the California community college system ignited her passion for equity, access, and transformative change. Her lived experience informs her leadership, ensuring services are people-centered, culturally responsive, and rooted in compassion.

Prior to Catholic Charities, she served as Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Los Angeles Harbor College, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Innovation, and Dean of Workforce & Economic Development and Student Success at San José–Evergreen Community College District. She also served in many capacities, including Director of several student support programs at Foothill College. She has launched region-wide initiatives supporting tens of thousands of students and families, including the Silicon Valley Career Pathways Consortium, the MAPin Program, and a Parent Academy.

Alexandra is known for her collaborative leadership, working across sectors to expand access to education, housing, basic needs, and economic mobility. She holds advanced degrees in Communications, Business Management, Organizational Leadership, and Education, and has received numerous honors, including the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Woman of Influence award.

“I am driven by a deep belief in justice, dignity, and opportunity for all—and I see Catholic Charities as a vital expression of those values, especially in the lives of individuals and families facing the greatest challenges in our communities,” she says.