James Howell, Director of Development for Catholic Charities USA, in 2010 Class of American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy

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May 26, 2010, 09:10 ET

One of 48 selected nationwide for next-generation leadership program

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- James Howell, Director of Development for Catholic Charities USA, the national member organization representing more than 170 local Catholic Charities agencies serving close to 9 million people a year, participated in the 2010 class of the American Express Nonprofit Leadership Academy.

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Launched in 2008 to address the need created by a growing deficit of leadership talent in the nonprofit sector, the Academy brings together forty-eight emerging leaders from within community, environmental, international relief and cultural organizations. Past classes have enrolled twenty-four participants, but this year, American Express doubled the size of the incoming class due to the success of the program. The forty-eight participants are selected based upon a competitive application process and were selected from eight national and local nonprofit partners.

"This was a tremendous honor and recognition for James, but also a very strong statement for Catholic Charities USA and the development of our future leaders," said Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. "We are so very pleased and proud of his selection and participation as one of 48 people in the country."

The week-long Academy program focused on non-profit leadership development in the "new normal" of today's economic climate and featured remarks from Ken Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express, futurist Andrew Zolli and Vernon Jordan.

Catholic Charities USA's members—more than 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide—provide help and create hope for nearly 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary. For more information, visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA