Claire Padama to Head Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Padama as the Council President, Board of Directors which became effective on October 1, 2010. Prior to Ms. Padama’s new post, Mr. James Weiss had served as President, Board of Directors for two consecutive three-year terms, with his role concluding in September.

Ms. Padama has spent a lifetime of devotion to her church in service and has been committed to her charity work with the Council for 16 years. She has served many crucial roles in successful fundraising for the Council of Los Angeles as well as with various parishes to help the poor and fulfill the programs and mission of St. Vincent de Paul.

In addition to her new post as President, Board of Directors, she also serves as the President of the Our Lady of the Angels District, Chairman of the Conference Concerns Committee of Los Angeles for St. Vincent de Paul and has served as past president for St. Vincent de Paul’s, Our Mother of Good Counsel. She serves on many church related committees and is a member of the Los Angeles Voice as well as the Executive Director of UERMMMC Nursing Alumni USA and a board member of the UERMMMC Nursing Foundation USA, where she has also served as past president.

In 2007, Ms. Padama retired from her professional career to completely focus her efforts on her community and church leadership roles. Before retiring, Ms. Padama was a notable and honored success in the Skilled Nursing Industry. She has been awarded with numerous accolades for her leadership and entrepreneurial successes.

After moving to Canada and then on to the United States from the Philippines in the late 60s, Ms. Padama became a registered nurse in the State of California in 1968 and quickly began her professional career. Ms. Padama worked in Administration at Skilled Nursing facilities throughout Southern California. She quickly climbed the corporate ladder and went on to serve as Director of Nurses for a Long Term Care facility for over 15 years. Ms. Padama also obtained her license as a Nursing Home Administrator.

In the 1980s, Ms. Padama co-founded and oversaw nine nursing facilities which eventually grew to 28 from Orange County to Fresno. She became an entrepreneurial leader in her field being recognized and honored with the Entrepreneur Award, Outstanding Filipino American Nursing Award as well as many other accolades and honors for her commitment to Nursing as well as her community. Claire Padama continues to be recognized as a community builder, successful entrepreneur and as well as a church leader where she has received Augustian recognition as an Affiliate Member of the Augustinian order and the Anima Una Award.

David Fields states, “As Executive Director of the Los Angeles Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, I speak for the entire organization’s enthusiasm with Claire Padama’s appointment as Board President. She brings a wealth of practical business experience to her new position. But more importantly, she brings 16 years of experience as a volunteer helping the poor and needy through the Society’s good works. “

Ms. Padama in her new role will consult and oversee all of the Council’s initiatives and programs. The Council’s programs currently include supporting the less fortunate through 100-plus parish- based volunteer conferences in the Los Angeles Archdiocese, affordable housing in Los Angeles and Camarillo, the Cardinal Manning Center homeless shelter on Skid Row in Los Angeles, a prisoner resettlement program in Los Angeles to assist paroled inmates, three thrift stores located in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oxnard, an emergency winter shelter in West Ventura County and the Circle V Ranch Camp near Santa Barbara that serves hundreds of at-risk youth every summer.

For more information on the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Council of L.A. programs is online.