Loyola Blakefield Names New Director of Ignatian Mission and Identity
We are pleased to announce that Lou Charest has been appointed as Loyola’s next Director of Ignatian Mission And Identity and the newest member of the school’s leadership team. His appointment comes as a result of a national search that yielded several highly qualified candidates. He follows Brendan O’Kane, who resigned this year to serve as President of Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia.
Charest comes to Loyola Blakefield from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) where he has served in a variety of roles since 2012. Most recently, he has served as Senior Advisor, Strategy & Internal Communications. Prior to joining CRS, he served as Development Director of Notre Dame Mission Volunteers – AmeriCorps. From 2006 to 2008, he worked at the University of San Diego as University Minister, which included directing all Peace and Justice Programs for the Romero Center for Faith in Action, including international immersion experiences to El Salvador and Mexico. His experience in campus ministry extends to his time as a graduate student at Villanova University, where he coordinated a variety of student programming and served as an advisor for international immersion experiences. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, providing mission oversight, governance, and fundraising leadership.
In his new role, Charest will be primarily responsible for helping the President articulate the vision and philosophy of Catholic, Jesuit education for the Loyola Blakefield community. Additionally, he will lead the staff responsible for shaping all aspects of the spiritual formation and service experience for all students. This includes Loyola’s robust retreat offerings, service initiatives, the celebration of the sacraments, and the school’s prayer life. His appointment is effective July 15, 2024. "I am thrilled to welcome Lou to our team here at Loyola,” said Rev. Dennis M. Baker, S.J., President. “Lou's unwavering personal and professional dedication to mission-focused initiatives, combined with his outstanding background in campus ministry and service and immersion programming, uniquely qualifies him to lead our Mission and Identity team. His expertise will be instrumental in shaping and enriching the manifestation of our Catholic, Jesuit identity throughout the experiences of both students and adults within our school community.”
Mr. Matt Briand, S.J., chaired the search committee charged with facilitating the process of seeking Loyola’s new Director of Mission & Identity. “Our search yielded several excellent candidates,” said Briand. “What made Lou stand out was his extensive experience with leadership at Catholic Relief Services and his prayerful and discerning leadership that he has demonstrated over the course of his career. He is well-equipped to help advance our mission and immediately collaborate across our entire campus.”
Charest is eager to begin partnering with members of the extended Loyola Blakefield community to explore the many ways our mission comes to life. “Every member of the Loyola community plays an integral role in animating and advancing the school’s mission,” said Charest. “I look forward to working together as we continue to deepen, cherish, and celebrate our Catholic mission through the Ignatian tradition — whether in the classroom, through athletics, clubs, retreats, service and justice opportunities, in worship, and anywhere our Dons may be.” Charest credits his time at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, a Catholic, Jesuit school for young men in Philadelphia, as inspiration for his career in mission work. “It’s where my spiritual and professional commitment to this work was imprinted in me,” said Charest. “It instilled in me a lifelong commitment to service, justice, and upholding human dignity — most recently and profoundly at Catholic Relief Services that I carry deep in my heart into this role.”
Charest earned degrees from Villanova University (M.A., Liberal Studies and B.A., Political Science). He also completed a professional certificate in Catholic Social Teaching at Catholic University. A Baltimore resident, Charest is eager to witness his son Will, Class of '28, begin his Loyola education this fall. He and his wife Courtney have four additional children: Haddie, Joe, Ruby, and Oliver.
