The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council appointed Christopher Lacovara as the church’s next chief financial officer in a special meeting March 17, 2025. Lacovara is a longtime Episcopalian who brings decades of experience in financial management. He was selected after a nationwide search conducted by Pappas & Pappas Consulting, a Boston-based firm. He will begin his new role in mid-April.
Appointment by chair and vice chair
Per church Canon I.4.2.g, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris jointly nominated Lacovara for the position. They acted in their capacities as the council’s chair and vice chair.
“I am pleased to welcome Chris as our next CFO,” said Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe. “He is a committed Episcopalian with a clear understanding of the financial issues facing our congregations and dioceses and brings significant expertise from his work in finance, law, and the nonprofit sector. I look forward to working with him as we position The Episcopal Church for the coming decades of mission and ministry.”
Professional background
Most recently, Lacovara served at Community Access, Inc., a New York City nonprofit. He was chief financial officer, general counsel, and director of real estate development .
Prior to joining Community Access, he practiced law with a focus on nonprofit organizations and appellate litigation, after more than two decades on Wall Street. He was an investment banker and private equity executive on Wall Street.
Lacovara holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College at Harvard University. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the School of Engineering at Hofstra University. Also, he earned a Master of Science from Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science. He has a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.
For a decade, he was a vestry member and treasurer/finance director at Christ & Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in New York City. He is a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Bedford, New York.
He served on the boards of directors, executive committees, and audit committees of more than 20 publicly funded and privately held corporations based in the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, he served on the boards and finance committees of several nonprofit organizations.
Chris and his husband, Sam Green, live in Westchester County, New York, with their children.
“Chris Lacovara’s depth of experience and his commitment to The Episcopal Church make him the right person to lead our financial strategy at this pivotal time,” said House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris. “His appointment reflects a careful and collaborative search process, and I am confident that his leadership will help ensure the church’s resources are stewarded wisely in service of our mission.”
Lacovara’s role in church governance
As CFO, Lacovara reports to the presiding bishop. He supervises the staff of the Finance Office, the Office of the Treasurer, and the Investment Office.
The CFO works closely with members of the senior staff. This ensures the financial management of The Episcopal Church in support of program initiatives and the directives of the General Convention.
The CFO position is based at The Episcopal Church Center in New York City.
Lacovara succeeds CFO Kurt Barnes, who announced his retirement in December 2024. General Convention elected Barnes in June 2024 Barnes as treasurer. and will continue to serve in that position.
Article from Christopher Lacovara named Episcopal Church chief financial officer.
Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer: Worshiping God, living in community, and reaching out to the world around us. We are an Episcopal Church serving north King County and south Snohomish County, Washington. As you travel your road, go with friends walking the way of Jesus at Redeemer.
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