Business leaders from across New York gathered on Monday, July 27 at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for Catholic Charities of New York’s Wall Street Breakfast and Opening Bell Ceremony, celebrating a longstanding partnership dedicated to strengthening communities and serving New Yorkers in need.
Hosted by NYSE Group President Lynn Martin, the event brought together leaders from the financial sector with Catholic Charities of New York trustees, donors, and members of the Archbishop’s Committee for Charity — a leadership committee that engages New York’s business community in advancing Catholic Charities’ mission of serving more than 400,000 people each year New York. For nearly three decades, the NYSE has graciously hosted the event, underscoring the enduring relationship between the business community and Catholic Charities.
The morning featured welcoming remarks from Catholic Charities of New York CEO J. Antonio Fernández, a fireside chat between keynote speaker José Minaya, Global Head of BNY Investments and Wealth, and Elizabeth Velez, President of The Velez Organization, and concluded with the ceremonial ringing of the Opening Bell.
Leadership That Invests in People
Opening the program, J. Antonio Fernández reflected on the vital role New York’s business community plays in helping build stronger neighborhoods and creating opportunities for those most in need. He encouraged those in attendance to view success not only through financial achievement, but through the lasting impact they have on the lives of others.
“Markets can create wealth, but Catholic Charities can create hope. The greatest measure of success is not simply what we earn, but also how many people we help,” Fernández said.
He reminded attendees that leadership carries a responsibility far beyond the workplace, with decisions that shape families, communities, and the future of New York itself. “Leadership is more than a profession. It is a privilege. The decisions that all of us make every day influence not just our lives, but also the lives of the people that we serve,” he said.
“A strong economy should always serve people, not the other way around. Businesses thrive when communities thrive,” Fernández said, emphasizing that strong businesses and strong communities are deeply interconnected.
That commitment is evident in Catholic Charities of New York’s work every day, helping individuals and families achieve stability, independence, and long-term success. “Investing in people is a great path to lasting prosperity. We invest in self-sufficiency. We invest in people to be independent and to be successful,” Fernández said.
The morning featured a fireside chat between José Minaya, Global Head of BNY Investments and Wealth, and Elizabeth Velez, President of The Velez Organization. Their discussion explored leadership, purpose, and the responsibility businesses have to strengthen the communities they serve. These themes that echoed throughout the morning’s program.
The Archbishop’s Committee for Charity: Bringing Business Leaders Together to Serve New York
Marco Achón, Global Head of Corporate Banking at Santander Corporate and Investment Banking and Co-Chair of the Archbishop’s Committee for Charity, spoke about the committee’s unique role and its longstanding partnership with New York’s business community.
Founded during the Great Depression, the Archbishop’s Committee for Charity was created after Cardinal Patrick Hayes recognized that the Church could not meet the growing needs of New Yorkers alone. More than 90 years later, that mission remains as important today as ever.
“Our role today is simple but important: to engage New York’s business community in supporting Catholic Charities and in helping our most vulnerable neighbors,” Achón said.
Achón emphasized that meaningful change happens when leaders bring not only their financial resources, but also their experience, leadership, and commitment to serving others. “We believe that when people are fortunate enough, they come together around a shared purpose. We can make a real difference, not only in individual lives, but in the strength and spirit of New York itself,” he said.
Calling service a shared responsibility, he added, “I believe deeply in the mission of Catholic Charities, and I believe deeply in the responsibility we share — as business leaders, as New Yorkers, and as people of faith.”
Faith in Action
Most Reverend Bishop Edmund Whalen, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, concluded the morning by reflecting on Catholic Charities’ mission to serve every person with dignity and compassion.
“That’s why Catholic Charities exists,” Bishop Whalen said. “That’s part of who we are as a family of faith that goes beyond any individual denomination, because we’re all made in the image of God.”
He emphasized that Catholic Charities serves people throughout the Archdiocese, regardless of their background or beliefs. “We do it in parishes, in programs, for people who believe, who don’t believe, for people who may reject us, for people who need a lot of help, and for people who don’t realize they need help,” he said.
“Empathy isn’t just kind of the handout. Empathy is, ‘We’re in it together.’ There’s an understanding that this person, with their uniqueness and their challenges, is a person who’s just like me,” he said. Reflecting on the spirit of collaboration that brought everyone together that morning, Bishop Whalen added, “Together, we only become who we are if we stick together, if we work together.”
Catholic Charities of New York extends its sincere gratitude to Lynn Martin, President of NYSE Group, and the New York Stock Exchange for graciously hosting this year’s Wall Street Breakfast and Opening Bell Ceremony.
We also thank the event Co-Chairs Brian Ruane, Executive Committee Member, BNY, and John Mahoney, Global Banking & Markets Director, Goldman Sachs, as well as Archbishop’s Committee for Charity Co-Chairs Marco Achón, Global Head of Corporate Banking, Santander Corporate & Investment Banking; Daniel Dunay, Chief Operating Officer, Global Product Solutions, BlackRock; Christopher Greco, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis; Jeffrey S. Sanders, Vice Chairman & Co-Managing Partner, Heidrick & Struggles; and Elizabeth Velez, President, The Velez Organization, for their outstanding leadership and dedication to strengthening the partnership between New York’s business community and Catholic Charities of New York, helping advance our mission of providing help and creating hope for New Yorkers in need.
If you are interested in learning more about the Archbishop’s Committee for Charity, please click here.
