September 8, 2025

American Red Cross

National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region

Media Contact:

Bethany Bray Patterson

Bethany.Patterson@redcross.org

703-744-0343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., September 8, 2025 -- The Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region is proud to welcome Patricia Vargas as the new Executive Director for the Red Cross of the District of Columbia.

“Patty has a proven background of strengthening and empowering communities, both domestically and internationally,” said Dale Kunce, CEO for the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region. “We are thrilled to add her to our team, and she has already hit the ground running with a passion to serve the people of the District.”

Vargas has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit and public service, leading humanitarian programs and community building efforts. Before joining the Red Cross, she led regional work for USAID to expand access to justice, reduce violence and strengthen communities in Central America. She has worked in high-pressure settings, including post-coup Myanmar and conflict-affected areas of Pakistan, and received awards from USAID and the U.S. Department of State for leadership in crisis response.  

In Washington, D.C., Vargas has long-standing ties to the civic and philanthropic community and is recognized for connecting people, programs and purpose. She is a published author on conflict and stabilization. She previously co-founded a youth leadership nonprofit in Latin America and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia. Vargas holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The George Washington University and is fluent in English and Spanish.

As the executive director of the Red Cross of the District of Columbia, Vargas will work closely with the chapter’s all-volunteer board of directors – focusing on volunteer engagement, biomedical collections, community partnerships and raising the donor dollars necessary to fuel the lifesaving work of the American Red Cross.

In addition to teaching skills - like CPR – that save lives, supporting the U.S. military community and collecting lifesaving blood, the D.C. Chapter of the Red Cross works 24/7/365 to ensure those with disaster-caused needs in the District have access to critical support and essential resources. Last year, the Red Cross assisted more than 300 households in the District that were impacted by home fires and other disasters.

The National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region — comprised of the District of Columbia Chapter, the Northern Virginia Chapter, the Montgomery, Howard & Frederick Counties Chapter, the Central Maryland Chapter, the Southern Maryland Chapter, and the Delmarva Chapter — is powered by volunteers, a workforce of more than 6,000 compassionate individuals who carry out the Red Cross mission in the DMV and Delmarva.

More about the Red Cross of the District of Columbia, including a complete list of the Board of Directors, can be found here. 

About the American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on social media @RedCrossNCGC.

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