Cristo Rey Charleston is excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Dave Graf as the Founding Vice President of Corporate Work Study for its new high school, set to open in August 2027. He officially joined the Cristo Rey Charleston team on September 1, 2026.
President and CEO of Cristo Rey Charleston High School, Joanna Wusinich, notes, “Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Dave and seeing firsthand his ability to build authentic relationships, inspire confidence, and turn prospective partners into champions of Cristo Rey. Just as importantly, he brings tremendous energy, humility, and enthusiasm for serving our future students and families.”
For the past two years, Dave has served as a founding member of the Cristo Rey Charleston Board of Directors, helping support the development of the school and its mission in the Charleston community. His transition to the role of Founding Vice President of Corporate Work Study builds on that commitment and brings his extensive professional experience in sales, relationship development, and business leadership to one of Cristo Rey Charleston’s most distinctive programs.
Dave earned a degree in Marketing from Villanova University in 1984. He spent nearly 40 years in the enterprise and healthcare technology sectors, where he held sales and sales leadership roles with companies including PeopleSoft, Oracle, Workday, Castlight, and Accolade. A native of Pittsburgh, Dave relocated to Kiawah Island, South Carolina, in March 2020 after spending more than 30 years in Atlanta, Georgia.
After retiring in May 2024, Dave began looking for an opportunity to put his professional experience to work in service of a local, mission-driven Catholic organization focused on making a difference in the lives of young people. Cristo Rey Charleston strongly aligned with that vision, and he is excited to return to the workforce in a role that combines his professional experience with his commitment to serving others.
Dave notes, “Having served on the Board for the last 18 months, I’ve learned what the transformative power of the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program can bring. It is a vehicle for students to gain confidence, professional skills, and a vision for their future. I’m honored to step into this new role as Founding VP of Corporate Work Study and to help build the partnerships that make that transformation possible for future students of Cristo Rey Charleston.”
In his new role, Dave will help build and lead Cristo Rey Charleston’s unique Corporate Work Study Program, developing relationships with corporate partners and creating meaningful professional opportunities for students. He is excited to be part of the team building a lasting legacy for the Charleston community, its students, and their families.
Dave and his wife, Deirdre, have two adult daughters, Meghan and Bridget. They are active members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Johns Island. Dave is also involved with Mustard Seed Catholic Charities and has participated in numerous mission trips to Nicaragua in support of the organization.
To learn more about Cristo Rey Charleston High School, visit cristoreycharleston.org or join us at our Open House on September 26th.