Mark Valentino
We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Valentino, head of business banking at Citizens, to our board of directors. This brings the number of SFH board members to 20.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark to our board of directors. His proven dedication to community development will be invaluable to our organization,” said Karen LaFrazia, president and CEO of St. Francis House. “We are confident that his leadership and strategic insights will help us continue to provide comprehensive services and support to those in need. We are excited about the fresh perspectives he will bring to our team.”
Valentino, who has more than 17 years of experience in the financial and healthcare sectors, is a seasoned executive, investor, and business builder. He currently leads the business banking division at Citizens, one of the nation’s oldest and largest financial institutions, where he oversees the strategy, development and delivery of banking solutions and advisory services to small businesses across the country.
“I’m thrilled to join the board of St. Francis House at this pivotal time, as it’s actively expanding its programs and services to meet the growing needs of the community,” said Valentino. “As a former resident of Downtown Crossing, I’m intimately familiar with the positive change that St. Francis House has on the community. I hope to play a crucial role in guiding the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring its continued success in serving the unhoused population of Boston.”
Citizens supports St. Francis House’s Moving Ahead Program (MAP), a 14-week job/life skills training program that prepares people experiencing homelessness for employment. MAP takes a comprehensive approach to serving individuals with multiple barriers to employment. By providing comprehensive support services to participants while helping them gain the employment skills they need, individuals are better able to find and keep work, achieve greater self-sufficiency, and live more fulfilling and stable lives.
