By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
After more than five years of leadership, Rob Van Tassell will step down in January as president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Hawaii.
Van Tassell joined CCH in 2019 and notched several significant achievements during his tenure, according to a press release. Two affordable senior housing developments, one on Oahu and one on Maui, were completed under his watch; Catholic Charities Hawaii also played a critical role in Hawaii in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rob Van Tassell (Courtesy photo)
In response to the pandemic in 2020, Catholic Charities Hawaii was one of two agencies in the state chosen to administer the federal CARES Act Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program. Overall, 13,709 households received a total of $59.7 million in housing assistance by the time the program concluded in December 2020.
And after the devastating Maui wildfires in August 2023, CCH was a leader in disaster response efforts as it provided support and supplies to survivors who lost everything.
“It has been my honor and privilege to steward Catholic Charities through a period of transformational change,” Van Tassell said in the press release. “What began as a challenge to innovate one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive human services agencies in Hawaii resulted in a nimble, responsive and strategic community partner.
“I am humbled to have been at the helm during this period, working alongside exceptional colleagues who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the most vulnerable among us every day.”
Tina Andrade (Courtesy photo)
Van Tassell’s last day will be Jan. 6, when he will pass the torch to Tina Andrade, currently CCH’s chief operating officer.
“We are immensely grateful to Rob for his visionary leadership and the many achievements he’s accomplished during his tenure, leaving a lasting legacy that Tina is well-equipped to build upon,” said Vernon Wong, chair of CCH’s board of directors, in the press release.
Andrade has been with CCH for more than 20 years. She will be the first female and first Native Hawaiian leader of the agency.
Her many accomplishments include helping CCH secure $200 million to grow affordable housing in Hawaii and overseeing the distribution of tens of millions of dollars in federal rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrade was also on the front lines after the Maui wildfires, working on the ground to provide services to survivors.
While serving in Maui, she shared how the island has always had a special place in her heart.
“The Maui community is amazing. When they say ‘Maui Strong,’ I see them working together in both formal settings and as a community,” Andrade said in an interview with the Hawaii Catholic Herald in the aftermath of the fires.
“As a community they don’t wait, they help one another out. It takes a lot to be resilient, and they are. It’s inspiring. They are all about working together. Maui has always been that way.”
Andrade’s leadership and devotion to serving communities in her island home are among the qualities that made her the top candidate to lead Catholic Charities Hawaii.
“Tina has been a trusted and collaborative member of our executive team. Her deep knowledge of CCH’s history, programs and mission, combined with her compassion and commitment to our community, make her an ideal choice to lead Catholic Charities Hawaii into its next chapter,” Wong said.
Andrade was born and raised in Honolulu. She graduated from Kamehameha Schools and attended Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and a master’s degree in pastoral theology.
Andrade, a former educator, has earned executive certificates from the University of San Diego and the University of Notre Dame, and a professional certificate from Michigan State University.
