Staff
Charleen Katra
Executive Director ckatra@ncpd.orgCharleen Katra assumed the position of Executive Director of NCPD in December of 2019 after having served on NCPD’s Board of Directors in 2018 and 2019. She previously served as an Associate Director in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. For over twenty years her primary responsibility was directing the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities. Katra is the co-author of The Adaptive Teacher: Faith-Based Strategies to Reach and Teach Learners with Disabilities (Loyola Press, 2019) and the author of How to Talk to Children about People with Disabilities (Twenty-Third Publications, 2019). She has extensive experience in systematic and sacramental catechesis and has served as a national consultant, author, and speaker on the topic of inclusion for various Catholic publishers. Katra is currently a member of the Loyola Press Speaker Corp. She holds a Bachelor's in Special/Elementary Education and a Master’s in Pastoral Studies.
Esther Garcia
Director of Outreach and Diocesan Relations (Dallas, TX) egarcia@ncpd.orgEsther Garcia develops and coordinates effective community outreach with Catholic (arch)dioceses, parishes, and community, to support meaningful participation of individuals with disabilities in the Catholic Church and to enrich a varied audience on catechesis and cultural diversity. Garcia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Certificate of Bible Studies, Pastoral Formation, Master Catechist and Catechetical Leadership training from the Diocese of Dallas, and 30 years of experience as a catechist, community and ecclesial volunteer, worked as Faith Formation Director at Sacred Heart Parish, Diocese of Dallas and teacher at Autism Treatment Center of Dallas, She is specialized in leading catechetical programs for children, youth, adults, and families. In addition, she had experience on early childhood and multicultural communities. Esther was honored with the William Sadlier Dinger Award for Outstanding Leadership in Hispanic Ministry and Catechesis at the National Congress of Raíces y Alas 2022.
Julia Whitney
Associate Director of Programs and Resource Development (Boston, MA) jgilberto@ncpd.orgJulia Whitney directs the advancement of resources and develops, implements, and seeks out funding for programs to further the mission, vision, and values of The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD). Responsibilities include: developing resources and programs to support the needs of stakeholders (e.g, online courses, educational materials, and other promotional items) that further the goals of NCPD; coordinating college and university outreach to enhance organizational visibility and awareness; forwarding development initiatives; managing English social media. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Rehabilitation and Theology from Assumption College in Worcester MA, and a Master of Arts in Historical and Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. She has six years of experience working with individuals with disabilities in schools and as a personal care attendant.
Bob Quinlan
Project Manager bquinlan@ncpd.orgBob Quinlan joined NCPD as Project Manager in October 2007. He handles items such as the Large Print Liturgical Books, graphics, videos, newsletters and CRM management. He has an M.A. in Religious Studies from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia and studied as an S.T.L. candidate at the John Paul II Institute in Washington DC. Quinlan has an ongoing music ministry and is currently an RCIA coordinator at a parish in downtown Washington DC.