CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF MADISON NAMES BRIAN McDANIEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Former American Red Cross leader and public finance executive brings decades of service to south-central Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. — Catholic Charities of Madison today announced that Brian McDaniel became its executive director Oct. 1. McDaniel succeeds Shawn Carney, who led the organization for five years and will remain in a transitional role through the end of the year.
McDaniel joins Catholic Charities from the American Red Cross of Illinois, where he served as regional director of Services to the Armed Forces and International Services. In addition to leading a team of staff and volunteers who supported active-duty service members, veterans and military families across Illinois, McDaniel conducted casework for immigrants separated by conflict, migration and natural disaster. He also maintained close working relationships with 12 Chicago-based consulates.
Before joining the Red Cross, McDaniel served as deputy treasurer and chief investment officer for Will County, Illinois, directing a $2.1 billion public investment portfolio for a county of 750,000 residents. He founded a boutique advertising and marketing firm after nearly two decades in broadcasting, including roles at Tribune Co., NBC and several network affiliates.
“As I reflect on my career,” McDaniel said, “it is clear that everything I have done prepared me for today.”
“Catholic Charities is a special part of the social fabric of our community,” he said. “Our work began in the days after World War II, helping immigrants, the poor and the displaced. I believe the people involved in that early work would find our work today quite familiar.”
McDaniel added, “That heritage is something special, and it is why I am honored to build on the work of Shawn Carney and his team.”
Under Carney’s leadership, Catholic Charities of Madison focused its work where it could make the greatest difference and strengthened its relationship with the Diocese of Madison and Bishop Donald J. Hying, deepening its Catholic identity and mission. In 2025, he led the integration of the Catholic Multicultural Center into Catholic Charities, strengthening both organizations.
“I am excited to welcome Brian to the Catholic Charities team,” Carney said. “He brings experience and passion that will benefit those we are privileged to serve well into the future.”
McDaniel said his first year will focus on listening and learning.
“I come to this work with questions, not answers,” he said. “There is a story being written by our team and our clients that I want to know. How can I be a part of it? Where can I help? To do that, I must first listen.”
McDaniel said Catholic Charities must be relevant to everyone in the 11 counties that make up the Diocese of Madison.
“People in every corner of the diocese should know that Catholic Charities is there for them,” he said. “We must be the hands and feet of compassion, helping our neighbors meet immediate needs and pursue lasting stability.”
“We don’t only serve Catholics,” McDaniel added. “We serve everyone because we are Catholic.”
McDaniel holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s degree in accountancy and an MBA from Benedictine University. He and his wife, Ann, are relocating to the Madison area from Plainfield, Illinois. Their son, Graeme, is a senior studying mechanical engineering at Kettering University in Michigan.
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About Catholic Charities of Madison
Since 1946, Catholic Charities of Madison has served people of every background across the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison. Grounded in the dignity of every person, the organization provides services through six program areas: the Catholic Multicultural Center, Children & Families, Parish Social Ministries, Aging, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, and Restoring Lives, which includes The Beacon Day Shelter and Resource Center and 5 Door Recovery. Learn more at CCMadison.org.
