Cardinal Tobin Appoints Christine James as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark NJ, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, has officially appointed financial executive and community leader Christine James as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark, effective September 1, 2026.

James succeeds Sister Donna L. Ciangio, O.P., D.Min., of the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell, who served with distinction as Chancellor beginning in 2018.

Welcoming the appointment, Cardinal Tobin praised James’s decades of executive expertise and service to the local Church:

“Christine brings exceptional leadership experience, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to the mission of the Church. I am grateful for her willingness to serve the Archdiocese of Newark and look forward to working with her as Chancellor.”

Decades of Executive and Financial Expertise

Christine James enters the chancellorship with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience across investment management and executive operations. Her professional career includes major leadership roles at top-tier financial institutions:

• Allspring Global Investments (New York): Managing Director of Business Development and Client Relations.

• Wells Fargo Asset Management (New York & Philadelphia): Senior leadership overseeing client relations and growth.

• Evergreen Investments: Managing Director and Portfolio Manager.

• Tattersall Advisory Group (Philadelphia): Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to her finance background, James holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and MBA from Villanova University, alongside a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Montclair State University. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership at Caldwell University.

Deep Community Service and Local Roots

Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, James returned to her hometown after living in the Philadelphia area for three decades. Beyond her corporate career, she has maintained an extensive portfolio of board governance and civic involvement across northern New Jersey:

• Lacordaire Academy: Alumna and Chair of the Board of Trustees since 2009.

• Montclair Art Museum: President of the Board of Trustees since 2024.

• The Montclair Foundation: Trustee since 2020.

• Morris Arboretum (University of Pennsylvania): Former Trustee.

Commitment to Catholic Ministry and Pastoral Planning

James’s dedication to Church leadership spans both local parish life and archdiocesan initiatives. A Lay Dominican Associate since 2021, she works closely with the Caldwell Dominicans’ Committee on Global Issues.

At her home parish, Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair, she actively volunteers in spiritual ministries and has served on both the Parish Finance Council and Pastoral Council.

On the archdiocesan level, James previously served on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and contributed to the Planning Commission for We Are His Witnesses—the Archdiocese of Newark’s initiative to revitalize parish life and plan for future growth across Essex, Bergen, Hudson, and Union counties.

She resides in Montclair with her husband, Nick.

Key Takeaways

• New Appointment: Christine James officially assumed the role of Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Newark on September 1, 2026.

• Predecessor: She succeeds Sister Donna L. Ciangio, O.P., D.Min., who served in the role since 2018.

• Background: Brings 30+ years of senior executive experience in investment management, alongside extensive leadership in education and Catholic ministry.

Tags: Archdiocese of Newark, Newark NJ, Catholic Church, Montclair NJ, Local News, Church Leadership