Our Team

Chris Root has served as CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice since 2024, leading efforts to provide compassionate care and essential services across ten counties in Southwest Florida. With a background in nonprofit leadership and a deep commitment to Catholic social teaching, Chris brings strategic vision and a heart for service to his role. Under his leadership, Catholic Charities continues to expand programs in housing, hunger relief, mental health, and disaster recovery. Known for his collaborative approach and dedication to community impact, Chris works to ensure that all those in need are met with dignity, hope, and support.

Email: croot@ccdov.org 

Cassandra Cunningham has served as Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice since 2024, managing a $15 million budget and leading operations across ten counties in Southwest Florida. With more than a decade of experience in both nonprofit and for-profit healthcare systems, she brings deep expertise in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and service delivery. Cassandra plays a vital role in strengthening programs that support housing, mental health, hunger relief, and disaster response. She previously held leadership positions at Tampa Family Health Centers, where she advanced population health and managed care initiatives. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Health Science, she is known for her compassionate leadership, operational insight, and commitment to the values of Catholic social teaching.

Email: ccunningham@ccdov.org

Rob Wildermuth has been the Director of Finance for Catholic Charities since 2020.  Rob has an MBA and BS/BA in Accounting from the University of Central Florida, is a licensed CPA in the State of Florida, and a Certified Materials Resource Professional from the American Hospital Association and is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Email: rwildermuth@ccdov.org 

Kirsten Pedersen has served as Director of Communications for Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice since 2021. Based in Sarasota, she oversees marketing, media, and public relations across ten counties in Southwest Florida. With a background in nonprofit, government, and marine industries, Kirsten has led national campaigns, major fundraising events, and corporate communications for brands like Chris-Craft and Freedom Boat Club. She is known for creating impactful donor experiences and elevating organizational visibility. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Kirsten brings both strategic insight and a heart for service to her work promoting Catholic Charities.

Email: kpedersen@ccdov.org

Born in Caracas, Venezuela to French and Haitian parents, Yelitza Lemoine is a seasoned public health leader with over two decades of experience in program management, prevention, and community-based initiatives. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and French, she offers a multicultural perspective and a proven record of advancing health equity, strengthening community capacity, and driving large-scale program success.

Since 2016, Yelitza has served as Director of Program Services and Special Projects at CAN Community Health, overseeing HIV prevention initiatives, grant management, and innovative strategies for outreach, education, testing, and linkage to care. She has led programmatic expansion, implemented best practices, fostered strong partnerships, and supervised prevention staff to ensure compliance, monitor outcomes, and build organizational capacity.

From 2008 to 2016, she worked with the Florida Department of Health as Statewide Latino AIDS Coordinator and Senior Program Intervention Specialist, becoming a leading voice in HIV prevention for Hispanic and Haitian communities. She chaired advisory groups, advised on policy and program design, and developed evidence-based, culturally tailored interventions adopted statewide. Her leadership also extended to federal grant proposal reviews, advancing HIV prevention strategies, and coordinating technical assistance for health departments and community organizations.

Email: ylemoine@ccdov.org 

Alex Olivares is the Regional Director for Catholic Charities in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties and has been with Catholic Charities since 2009. He oversees 12 programs, from food pantries, behavioral health programs, the children’s center, and anti-human trafficking, to name a few. He has a background in clinical psychology and counseling, with degrees from the Catholic University of Santo Domingo and Hodges University.

Email: aolivares@ccdov.org

Peggy Rodriguez is the Regional Director for Catholic Charities in Collier County and has been with the organization for 22 years.  She oversees programs including a soup kitchen, food pantries, homeless services and much more.  Peggy also serves as the authorized officer for the organization’s immigration program which serves the 10 counties covered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice.  Born to migrant worker parents, raised in Immokalee and a product of Immokalee schools, Peggy’s life experiences have served her well in her work with Catholic Charities.  While still rooted in Immokalee, Peggy is passionate about serving the community and improving the lives of those we serve.

Email: prodriquez@ccdov.org 

Jenny brings more than 15 years of hands-on leadership experience in child welfare, serving as a Child Protective Investigator, Supervisor, and Program Manager, as well as in Refugee Resettlement. A dynamic, trilingual professional fluent in English, Spanish, and Swedish, she has led multidisciplinary teams, launched large-scale operations, and ensured compliance with federal and state regulations.

Throughout her career, Jenny has shown an unwavering commitment to serving vulnerable communities with compassion, integrity, and strategic vision. Her expertise spans crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and multicultural advocacy, with experience ranging from directing an 80-bed shelter for unaccompanied minors to leading human trafficking prevention initiatives.

Jenny’s passion for staff development, resilient team-building, and mission-driven leadership continues to shape her work, inspiring teams to achieve meaningful and lasting impact.

Email: jmunoz@ccdov.org 

Erika Pineros joined Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice in 2015 and serves as Director of Behavioral Health and the Anti-Human Trafficking Program. She leads outreach, case management, and therapy services across 10 counties, specializing in trauma care for survivors of abuse and trafficking. Erika developed Lee County’s first human trafficking transitional housing and co-founded the Statewide Coalition Combatting Labor Trafficking. She has presented at national conferences and is trained in EMDR and TIR therapies. Erika is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from FGCU and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Florida.

Email: epineros@ccdov.org

Niccole Howard joined Catholic Charities in September 2024 as Director of Grants, managing $8.3M in grants and contracts across ten counties. With grant writing experience since 2004, she previously served as Grants Director for The Salvation Army of Sarasota County and spent two decades at Child’s Path in Naples, including ten years as CEO. A former board member of AFP and past Board Chair of PRSA for Collier and Lee Counties, Niccole brings a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University and is a Leadership Collier graduate.

Email: nhoward@ccdov.org

Helen Rombalski has been the dedicated Office Manager at Catholic Charities since 2018, ensuring smooth daily operations and efficient administrative support. In addition to her role, she serves as the Administrative Assistant to the CEO, managing his calendar, coordinating key processes, and facilitating organizational efficiency. Helen holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Fairfield University.

Email: hrombalski@ccdov.org 

Melissa Martinez serves as the Manager for LTRG grants in Lee County. In this role, she leads a team of Disaster Case Managers dedicated to helping disaster survivors navigate long-term recovery by securing housing assistance, funding for unmet needs, and vital case management services. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Florida International University in Miami and has completed national CCUSA Disaster Recovery training (AIDE), equipping her with specialized expertise in disaster response and recovery. Mission-driven and service-oriented, Melissa is passionate about connecting her community with the critical support they need to rebuild their lives and move forward after a disaster.

Email: mmartinez@ccdov.org

Natalia Juzyn serves as the Disaster Case Management Supervisor, overseeing Catholic Charities’ Hurricane Ian disaster recovery in ten counties. She leads a team of case managers who serve clients through advocacy; providing resource information and referrals; and coordinating funding for unmet needs. Natalia holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, and a Master’s in Pastoral Theology from Barry University in Miami.

Email: njuzyn@ccdov.org