Q&A With Vice President for Operations Luiz DaCosta

Luiz DaCosta was named Catholic Charities Boston’s Vice President for Operations in July 2026, after previosuly serving as the agency’s Senior Director for Operations.

In his new leadership role, DaCosta oversees the operational systems for all of Catholic Charities 20 locations, 70+ programs, 450 employees, and thousands of clients. He leads organization-wide efforts to strengthen infrastructure, technology, facilities management, procurement, and safety while fostering a culture of operational excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Luiz, who joined Catholic Charities in 2024, took time participate in the following Q&A to share more about his time with agency, his vision for operations, and himself.

When did you start working at Catholic Charities and what was your role?

I joined Catholic Charities Boston in March 2024 as the Senior Director of Operations. From day one, my focus has been on building strong operational systems that empower our teams to better serve our communities. Operations may happen behind the scenes, but when it’s done well, it creates an environment where our staff can focus on what matters most, changing lives.

How have the operational needs of the agency evolved during your time here?

One thing I’ve learned is that as the needs of our clients continue to grow, our operations have to evolve just as quickly. We’ve shifted from simply responding to issues to building systems that are more proactive, standardized, and data-driven.

Our focus has been on strengthening facilities, improving technology, enhancing security, standardizing processes, and creating better communication across our locations. Every improvement is ultimately about creating a better experience for both our employees and the people we serve.

What is one memory or project from your time at Catholic Charities that has stayed with you?

One project that stands out is seeing our facilities team continue to grow into a truly collaborative operation.

Watching people step into new leadership roles, building confidence, solving problems together, and creating systems that will benefit the organization for years to come has been incredibly rewarding. Those moments remind me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about developing people and creating an environment where they can succeed.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, traveling the world, attending live concerts, staying active, and continuously learning. Those experiences help me stay grounded, broaden my perspective, and bring fresh ideas into both my personal and professional life.

I’m passionate about leadership, systems thinking, and personal growth, so you’ll often find me reading, listening to leadership podcasts, or participating in executive education programs. I believe that learning is one of the greatest investments we can make in ourselves.

What motivates me most is solving meaningful problems and building systems that create a lasting, positive impact. Whether it’s improving an organization, mentoring others, or developing new ideas, I enjoy leaving things better than I found them.

Above all, I believe growth is a lifelong journey. Every day is an opportunity to become a better leader, a better husband and father, and a better person. That’s the standard I strive to live by, both professionally and personally.