NCEA Board of Directors appoints Lincoln Snyder as new President/CEO

On March 17, 2021, Lincoln Snyder, our superintendent and executive director of schools, was announced as president/CEO of NCEA effective July 1, 2021. Commenting on the news of this appointment, Bishop Jaime Soto said, "Lincoln has served as a dedicated collaborator and companion in the educational ministry of the Diocese of Sacramento. I have been fortunate to work together with Lincoln and the other team members in the Catholic School Department. I congratulate him on this new opportunity to serve the Church in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus to children and young people through our Catholic Schools."

Below is the press release from NCEA:

Arlington, VA – The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce Lincoln Snyder, current superintendent and executive director of schools for the Diocese of Sacramento, as president/CEO of NCEA effective July 1, 2021. Interim president/CEO, Kathy Mears, will continue in that role until Mr. Snyder assumes the role in July. Ms. Mears will resume her position as NCEA Chief Program Officer.

Bishop Gerald Kicanas, NCEA Chair of the Board of Directors said of the new president, “Lincoln deeply values Catholic schools and is excited now to be able as president/CEO to serve all of our Catholic pre-school, grammar and high schools. He appreciates the service NCEA provides to strengthen, enhance and advocate for our Catholic schools. He brings many gifts foremost of which is an eagerness to work with the staff, partners and board of directors to serve our Catholic school community in every way possible. He looks forward to engaging everyone who might contribute to the excellence of our Catholic schools.”

“I am humbled by the opportunity to serve Catholic education in this role,” said Mr. Snyder. “As the nation’s premier education association, NCEA is indispensable in connecting its members to the people and resources they need to flourish as teachers, principals and superintendents. I look forward to helping NCEA and its members thrive.”

Prior to his appointment at NCEA, Mr. Snyder has served as the superintendent and executive director of schools for the Diocese of Sacramento since 2015. He has been the chair of the California Catholic Schools Superintendents Conference since 2019. Before his assignment as superintendent, he was a teacher and board chair at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. Mr. Snyder also has served as vice chair of the NCEA NESBECS Council (NNC) and has been a member of several Catholic school boards.

Mr. Snyder achieved notable accomplishments during his tenure as executive director. Three stand out for him: the transition of diocesan elementary schools to a unified governance model under three regional school boards and two high school boards, resulting in a consistent system with stronger schools; the introduction of a virtue-based character curriculum, Disciple of Christ / Education in Virtue, across all elementary schools of the diocese; and the successful stewardship of diocesan schools through crises like the Camp Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also implemented innovative programs in K-8 schools, including Dual Language Immersion, Project Lead The Way (STEM), and autism inclusion in preschools.

Mr. Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He received a master’s degree in Lasallian Leadership from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. His business experience includes international work as a global key account and project manager for Can-Pack SA, in Krakow, Poland, and domestic work in facilities and development as vice president of Snyder Commercial Real Estate.

Mr. Snyder is married to Aga Snyder, Ph.D., a board-certified behavior analyst. They have three sons.

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In service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NCEA strengthens Catholic school communities by providing professional development, formation, leadership and advocacy.