Holy Cross Ministries' new director has experience with local nonprofits

Friday, Jan. 30, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — Maria S. Farrington, a community leader with more than 20 years’ experience with not-for-profit organizations and schools, was appointed as the new executive director of Holy Cross Ministries (HCM) in Utah. She will formally assume her new position on Feb. 9

Holy Cross Ministries, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, was created in 1994 to serve the poor and underserved.

The Leadership Team of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross announced the selection of Farrington, who replaces Sister Suzanne Brennan, CSC. 

Sr. Suzanne stepped down last year as executive director after 16 years of service; she has been named the general treasurer for her order. 

“The HCM Board of Trustees is extremely pleased with the appointment of Maria Farrington as executive director.  We are confident in her commitment to the mission, her demonstrated leadership ability, and her collaborative mindset – all of which support Holy Cross Ministries’ tradition of compassionate care and service to the underserved in Salt Lake City, Park City and neighboring areas,” said Morris Jensby, chair of the HCM Board of Trustees, in a press release.

“I am excited to use my skills and gifts to serve the mission of Holy Cross Ministries,” said Farrington, “and I am honored to be part of such an excellent organization with a distinguished legacy of care for families, children and communities in Utah.”

From 2007 until the present, Farrington served as chief executive officer of Discovery Gateway children’s museum in Salt Lake City; previously, she served as director of programs and initiatives at Centro de la Familia de Utah. She has worked in management at the United Way of Salt Lake, the Salt Lake City School District, and Communities in School-San Antonio, where she served as president and executive director of a program bringing educational services to county school districts in San Antonio, Texas.  

Farrington has been the recipient of the Governor’s Hispanic Leadership and Community Service Award, and was named as YWCA Outstanding Leader in Human Services. She has also served on the boards of Holy Cross Ministries, the Barbara & Norman Tanner Center for Non-Violence at the University of Utah, and KRCL Community Radio.

“Maria brings both a heart for outreach ministry and exceptional community leadership experience to Holy Cross Ministries,” said Sister M. Veronique Wiedower, CSC, president of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, in the press release.  “The hallmark of Holy Cross Ministries is its mission-driven, collaborative spirit in serving those in need, and we are confident that this ministry will continue to bear fruit and benefit the people of Utah under Maria’s direction.”

Among the duties that Farrington will have as executive director will be to ensure the HCM’s Gospel-based mission, vision and values are articulated in a strategic plan, with measurable goals and operational objectives; collaborate with other agencies to maximize resources to address the needs of the community; oversee the financial management of HCM in Utah; and be responsible for the hiring and retention of qualified staff, according to the job description.