By Katie Vasquez and Jim Mancari
Our diocesan Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) has a new executive director — one who’s making history.
Daniela Cracolici, an Astoria native with an extensive background in sports and professional development, will begin her new role on July 28, working to provide vibrant programming, to strengthen parish partnerships, and to build a community rooted in faith and charity.
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She will become the first woman executive director of CYO and will succeed Keith Goldberg, who led the organization’s resurgence following the pandemic and subsequent shutdown.
“Daniela brings with her a wealth of experience in CYO, youth ministry, leadership development, business, and community engagement,” said Father James Kuroly, the director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Brooklyn. “With a strong background as a coach, mentor, teacher, and entrepreneur, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to the mission of nurturing faith, fostering leadership, and promoting service among young people.”
Cracolici grew up attending St. Francis of Assisi Church and its Catholic academy, participating in volleyball, softball, and swimming.
She attended The Mary Louis Academy (TMLA) in Jamaica Estates, where she played two years of volleyball and also participated in travel softball for several community leagues.
As a teenager at TMLA, she coached volleyball at her parish. Her mother, Lina, who was the CYO parish athletic representative (PAR), helped her get into the coaching ranks. Cracolici coached her younger sister Valentina’s team, and from that moment on, she fell in love with coaching.
After earning a psychology degree from Hofstra University, she initially worked for a cancer nonprofit and then a software company. These roles helped her develop an eclectic skill set that has prepared her well to lead CYO.
She then earned her MBA from St. John’s University, Jamaica. Still, the desire to coach lingered, and she took on the role of volleyball coach at Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, while also being hired to teach psychology there.
Cracolici immediately propelled the volleyball program to a high level. She guided the Crusaders to three junior varsity Brooklyn/Queens championships and two city titles while also leading the varsity squad to four diocesan and three city championships.
Given her ties to CYO, she had been seeking an opportunity to get more involved with the youth organization. When the executive director position became available, she was eager for the chance to help develop young people in their faith through the realm of sports.
“This position was exactly what I was hoping for — being able to use my multifaceted corporate background, do what I like to do, and be fulfilled by enriching the lives of children and making an impact,” said Cracolici, who will continue coaching volleyball at McClancy.
As the first woman executive director, Cracolici will pioneer programs and events specifically designed to give young girls ample opportunities to enjoy the sports they love. She’s always been an advocate for women in sports, so this role affords her the chance to celebrate girl power at its finest.
“I feel like little girls who play sports become women who lead and women who feel empowered in the workforce,” Cracolici said. “I truly feel that when I was playing sports myself, it’s what really developed my personality and confidence and made me the person who I am today.”
Cracolici already has a list of achievable goals as she gets started. On Day 1, she will create a detailed questionnaire that is sent to each CYO parish, allowing her to gauge the organization’s current situation and identify common areas for improvement. This will establish a baseline to determine the success of her future endeavors.
Next, she will work to get all PARs and coaches aligned on the CYO mission through a new set of rules and regulations. It’s all about building a community rooted in faith, sportsmanship, encouragement, and growth — all done so within a safe environment.
Another top goal is to revamp the CYO website and establish social media channels. These digital tools will firmly entrench CYO in the 21st century by allowing parents and family members to follow the organization’s activities from anywhere.
Cracolici also seeks to create a series of interparish social events built around a sports-related service opportunity. In CYO, the Catholic values of sports are so much more important than winning, making these volunteer events rewarding for the athletes and allowing them to make friends from other parishes in the diocese.
As she begins this new chapter in her professional career, Cracolici will rely on her combined sports and business backgrounds to continue to grow CYO into a destination for youth engagement in their parish communities.
She brings enthusiasm, passion, and innovation to this important ministry, and it will be exciting to see how her vision unfolds as she works to keep the “C” in CYO, standing for “Catholic.”