Dear Friends of Cristo Rey,

On behalf of the Cristo Rey Board of Directors, I am writing to share that President and CEO Kelby Woodard has tendered his resignation, effective July 31, 2026. We are deeply grateful for his dedicated leadership and for the lasting contributions he has made to our shared mission. Under Kelby’s leadership, the Network has supported meaningful innovation in our model, identified new ways to provide financial support to our schools, recruited top talent to the Network staff, and continued to strengthen its relationship with our schools. Kelby will be missed.

Kelby has asked me to share the following message with you:
 

After much prayer and reflection, I have made the decision to step down as President and CEO of the Cristo Rey Network, effective July 31, 2026.

This decision is rooted in family. My wife Donna has accepted her dream job in Dallas, and our son will be attending Jesuit Dallas, my alma mater, this fall. Relocating our family is the right next step, even as leaving a mission I love so deeply is not without some sadness.

Serving this mission over the past twelve years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am grateful for every student, school leader, board member, donor, and partner who has made this work possible. The Cristo Rey Network is financially strong, strategically aligned, and entering the next phase of its growth with a clear FY29 Strategic Plan in place. I leave with enormous confidence in the people who will carry this mission forward.

This transition is orderly and fully supported by the Board and national leadership team. Strategic priorities remain unchanged, and the national office remains fully engaged in supporting our schools. The next leader will inherit a strong foundation and an extraordinary team.

Most importantly, this transition creates an opportunity for the next leader to build upon that foundation and continue Cristo Rey’s mission of transforming lives through education, meaningful work, and lasting relationships.

Thank you for everything you have done for Cristo Rey and for the thousands of young people whose lives have been changed by this mission.

¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Kelby Woodard 
 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish Kelby and his family every blessing as they begin this new chapter.

As we look ahead, the Board is committed to ensuring a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition. In the coming weeks, we will name an interim president and begin a national search for Cristo Rey Network's next President and CEO. Updates will be posted as the transition progresses.

Cristo Rey blessings,

Dan McCallin
Board Chair, Cristo Rey Network