Cardinal Tobin appoints Christine James as Chancellor
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, has appointed 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 as Chancellor since 2018.
“Christine brings exceptional leadership experience, sound judgment and a deep commitment to the mission of the Church,” Cardinal Tobin said. “I am grateful for her willingness to serve the Archdiocese of Newark and look forward to working with her as Chancellor.”
Per the Code of Canon Law, in every diocese a chancellor “is to be appointed whose principal function is… to take care that acts of the curia are gathered, arranged, and safeguarded in the archive of the curia.” As such, the chancellor acts as the archdiocese’s chief record keeper and principal notary. This vital function ensures that all records and documents are properly authenticated and preserved—and that they remain accessible to those who require them. The new chancellor will also support a variety of initiatives and special projects in the archdiocese.
“I am deeply humbled and honored by the trust Cardinal Tobin has placed in me to serve as Chancellor of this vibrant and diverse Archdiocese,” James said. “I look forward to working closely with our clergy, religious, and lay faithful to build up our communities, forward our mission, and give witness to the Gospel across northern New Jersey.”
About the new chancellor
Christine James brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience in investment management to her new role. She served as managing director of business development and client relations at Allspring Global Investments in New York and previously held a similar role at Wells Fargo Asset Management in New York and Philadelphia. She also served as managing director and portfolio manager with Evergreen Investments and as chief operating officer at Tattersall Advisory Group in Philadelphia.
James earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Villanova University, as well as a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Montclair State University. She is pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Administration at Caldwell University.
An alumna of Lacordaire Academy, James has chaired its board of trustees since 2009. She also has served as president of the board of trustees of the Montclair Art Museum since 2024 and as a trustee of the Montclair Foundation since 2020. She previously served as a trustee of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania.
In 2021, James became a Lay Dominican Associate and became more actively involved with the Caldwell Dominicans’ Committee on Global Issues. She volunteers in spiritual ministries at her parish and has served on the Parish Finance Council and the Pastoral Council of Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair.
James also served on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and the Planning Commission for We Are His Witnesses, the Archdiocese of Newark’s pastoral initiative to strengthen parish life and plan for the future of the local Church.
Raised in Montclair, James returned to her hometown after living in the Philadelphia area for 30 years. She resides there with her husband, Nick.
