Kate Qualters (Photo provided)

ALBANY — Kate Qualters will be joining the American Red Cross in Eastern New York as chief development officer.

The Red Cross in Eastern New York serves 27 counties and more than 3.6 million people. The region is comprised of the Central and Northern New York, Hudson Valley and Northeastern New York chapters along with three Blood Donation Centers.

Last year, the region responded to 577 local disasters, providing relief to more than 2,300 people impacted by home fires, floods and other emergencies; trained 3,707 residents in free disaster training programs to help adults and children prepare for emergencies; served 2,882 military families and provided more than 5,000 case services to aid local veterans, service members and their families; enrolled 40,345 people in first aid, CPR, water safety and babysitting; and collected 66,435 units of blood to support hospitals and patients in need.

As chief development officer, Qualters is a member of the senior executive team and is responsible for the strategic planning of fund development and expansion of the donor base. She will lead the development team throughout the eastern New York region.

Qualters joins the Red Cross from Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, where she served as director of development for five years, leading a $5 million campaign that launched an affordable housing program and a mobile unit food program. Prior to Catholic Charities, she was at Excelsior College as an advancement service manager. She also served as assistant director of stewardship at Albany Medical Center.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Red Cross,” Qualters said in a news release. “I have witnessed firsthand their mission in action and life-saving work. The Red Cross touches every layer of our community, and I am looking forward to working side by side with our amazing team of staff and volunteers and sharing the Red Cross story.”

“Kate brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of fundraising and we are delighted to have her join our team,” said regional CEO Kevin Coffey. “Need for our services is growing at a time when fundraising has faced unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic. Kate brings energy, expertise and flexibility at a time when its needed most.”

Qualters is a graduate of Siena College and lives in the Capital Region with her two sons.