PHOENIX (Oct. 5, 2026) — St. Joseph the Worker (The Worker), an Arizona nonprofit helping individuals overcome barriers to employment and achieve self-sufficiency, today announced that John C. Delaney II will succeed Carrie Masters as its new chief executive officer.
Delaney brings extensive nonprofit leadership and operational experience to The Worker, including serving as executive director of André House, where The Worker traces its beginnings nearly four decades ago. Most recently, he served as director of business administration at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Earlier in his career, he spent 10 years with a nonprofit law firm in roles focused on operations and organizational expansion.
“Carrie has done a phenomenal job leading The Worker and building a strong foundation for its future,” Delaney said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to build on that work and, first and foremost, listen and learn from the people who know this organization best. The mission is what drew me here. Helping people find meaningful employment and create greater stability in their lives is deeply personal to me.”
Delaney’s connection to that mission began long before his nonprofit career. Until he was six years old, his mother relied on public assistance and his family moved frequently without stable housing. After an employer gave his mother an opportunity as a receptionist, she worked her way up and eventually purchased a home.
“Because an employer gave my mother a chance, I saw what employment could mean for an entire family,” Delaney said. “That experience has stayed with me, and it’s a big part of why the work happening at The Worker resonates so strongly with me.”
The Worker helps individuals overcome barriers to sustainable, full-time employment. In fiscal year 2026, the organization served 5,345 individuals and documented 1,711 verified full-time employment outcomes, with active job seekers typically securing employment in less than 30 days. Through its Workforce Villages program, 84% of participants exiting the program successfully completed it and transitioned into stable housing. Successful graduates earned an average of $21 per hour and left the program with an average of $5,276 in savings.
“John understands both the challenges facing the people we serve and the importance of running a strong organization that can deliver measurable results,” said Carrie Masters, outgoing CEO of The Worker. “He brings the experience, compassion and collaborative leadership needed to build on what our team has accomplished and carry The Worker’s mission forward.”
Delaney will begin his tenure alongside incoming Board Chair Matt Feeney, one of The Worker’s founders. Delaney and Feeney previously worked together during Delaney’s leadership of André House, giving The Worker a direct connection between the vision of its founders and the leadership guiding its next chapter.
“I’m excited about what comes next for The Worker,” Delaney added. “Having Matt back as Board Chair gives us a unique opportunity to stay connected to the vision that started the organization nearly 40 years ago while looking toward its future. Our job is to keep strengthening what works so we can help more people find meaningful employment, secure housing, and build lasting stability.”
To learn more about The Worker or to donate, visit theworkeraz.org.
About The Worker
Founded in 1988, St. Joseph the Worker (The Worker) helps individuals overcome barriers to employment and build lasting financial independence. Through individualized workforce development, practical resources and connections to local businesses offering competitive wages, benefits and opportunities for advancement, The Worker helps job seekers secure quality employment and build the stability needed to sustain it. Central to this approach is The Worker’s Success Navigator, which connects four key pillars: employment, workforce housing, life skills and the network of donors, businesses and volunteers that make the work possible. Together, these resources create a clear path from employment to greater stability and long-term self-sufficiency. To learn more, visit https://www.theworkeraz.org.