Mr. William Canny

Mr William Canny has been Executive Director of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) since 2015.

From 1983-1997, he managed and executed relief and development operations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). As ICMC Secretary General (1998-2004), he was responsible for programs in war-torn communities in Kosovo, Albania, Afghanistan, Indonesia and East Timor.

From 2006-2009, Canny served as CRS country representative in Haiti, where he oversaw programs in HIV-Aids, health, education, agriculture, disaster-preparedness and response, forced migration and human rights.

From 2010-2012, he directed CRS emergency operations in global prevention, preparedness, protection and response operations including CRS’s initial response to the Haiti earthquake of 2010.

During 2013 and 2014, Mr. Canny directed daily operations for the Papal Foundation, which contributes funding to the Vatican for poverty alleviation initiatives around the world.  

Canny holds an honorary doctorate in humane letters from the University of Scranton; an MPH from the University of Pittsburgh and a cum laude BSc degree in human services from the University of Scranton.