Meet Our CEO
Appaswamy “Vino” Pajanor began serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD) in October 2018, overseeing the agency’s programs in both San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Vino’s life journey has uniquely prepared him to steward this vital ministry. Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Vino grew up in a Catholic family. The traditions of his faithful family led him toward a professional career as an attorney, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He earned his law degree and practiced law in India for five years before moving to the United States to continue his professional and personal development.
From 2000 to 2002, he attended the University of San Diego School of Law on a scholarship, earning a Master of Laws degree. For six years, beginning in 2002, he worked in the transactions and international group at one of the oldest law firms in San Diego. In 2006, Vino discovered his heart’s passion for nonprofit work when he co-founded the Housing Opportunities Collaborative (HOC) in San Diego to address the growing predatory lending practices and evolving housing crisis. During his time at HOC, Vino also created the first HUD-recognized virtual counseling platform in the US for collaboration in 2013, the Virtual Counselor Network, to improve the delivery of housing and financial coaching services to the community through technology. From 2008 to 2017, as its CEO, he grew HOC’s revenue and expanded the organization across California.
In 2016, he successfully graduated from the 18-month intensive Achieving Excellence in Community Development program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He then served as CEO of an international real estate development company headquartered in Florida for 18 months before returning to his heart’s calling by joining Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego in October 2018.
Under his leadership, CCDSD has significantly expanded its reach across San Diego and Imperial Counties, addressing critical issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, and care for seniors, refugees, and immigrants. His work serves as a vital bridge between the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, driving innovative and scalable solutions that uplift and empower underserved, marginalized, and vulnerable communities and individuals.
In addition to his executive leadership, Vino contributes his acumen and policy expertise through several influential board and advisory roles. He serves as a Board Member of Catholic Charities USA, where he supports a national network of 168 agencies in advancing the mission of Catholic social services across the US. He also serves as the Chair and Board Member of the County of San Diego Social Services Advisory Board, offering strategic guidance on programs and initiatives that promote self-sufficiency. Additionally, as a Commissioner on the City of Chula Vista Human Relations Commission, he champions equity, civil rights, and inclusive community development locally.
Recognized for his compassionate leadership, strategic foresight, and deep commitment to advancing dignity and opportunity for all, Vino is a frequent speaker on topics such as sustainable social innovation, housing, food insecurity, immigration, and the intersection of technology and human services. He continues to lead with compassion, integrity, and a lifelong passion to serve. With “a nonprofit heart and a for-profit mind,” as Vino describes it, he connects deeply to the mission of Catholic Charities by ensuring it has robust financial health, a triple bottom line framework, SMAART goals, and the organizational capacity to live out its Matthew 25 calling with excellence.
Read more about Vino in the USD Magazine, where he was featured when he joined CCDSD: CLICK HERE