Bishop Oscar Cantú is pleased to announce the appointment of Susana Garcia as Director of Mission Advancement & Stewardship for the Diocese of San José, effective August 3, 2026. Reporting to Rosio Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer, Susana will provide strategic leadership for stewardship and mission advancement in support of the Diocese, its parishes, schools, and ministries. Her appointment follows a comprehensive search and discernment process that drew input from diocesan leadership, staff, and key stakeholders.
The Office of Mission Advancement & Stewardship supports the mission of the Diocese by fostering stewardship, philanthropy, and the relationships that sustain our parishes, schools, ministries, and pastoral priorities. Susana brings the leadership and experience to build upon the strong foundation already in place.
“As we have seen in our Sowing Seeds of Faith campaign, stewardship is about relationship: accompanying our parishes, schools, and ministries, and inviting the faithful to share in the mission of the Church,” said Bishop Cantú. “Susana’s years of leadership in Catholic organizations are the right mix to carry the momentum of Spiritual Renewal forward.”
Susana brings more than a decade of leadership within Catholic organizations, most recently guiding enrollment, institutional advancement, and community-building at Notre Dame High School in San José, alongside consulting and teaching roles with Catholic School Management and the University of San Francisco. Across her work, she has focused on stewardship in its truest sense: cultivating relationships, inviting participation, and strengthening the communities that carry the Church’s mission forward.
The Diocese of San José has been Susana’s lifelong home, and she is a product of Catholic education from kindergarten forward. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish and a Master of Arts in Spirituality, all from Santa Clara University. She has served her local Church as a liturgical and youth minister and has worshiped at parishes across the diocese, including St. Lawrence the Martyr, Mission Santa Clara, and Five Wounds.
“Susana brings faith, authenticity, and a collaborative spirit to this work, along with a genuine commitment to people,” said Rosio Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer. “I am confident her leadership will inspire greater generosity, engagement, and hope throughout our community.”
Most recently, Susana walked more than 180 miles across Portugal and Spain on the Camino de Santiago. Closer to home, she enjoys hiking the Bay Area’s trails and beaches.
“One thing that I loved about the Camino was the lesson of companionship,” Susana said. “I’m grateful to bring that same spirit of walking with others into this work.”