Aid to the Church in Need Names Larry Musolino

Larry Musolino, with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience, takes on the role of national director after an interim period following Bernard Toutounji's July departure.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in People

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single wooden chair at the head of an oak table in a flat cream field, evoking a leadership handover. — Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand has named Larry Musolino national director, succeeding Bernard Toutounji, who departed in July. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand has appointed Larry Musolino as its national director, following a recruitment process undertaken by the ACN board. He succeeds Bernard Toutounji, who departed in July 2026, with Lukas Rajnoch serving as acting national director in the interim.

Why it matters

The appointment fills a leadership gap that followed the July departure and sets the direction for ACN operations across Australia and New Zealand. Musolino's background spans business and the not-for-profit sector, which will shape how the organisation engages benefactors, clergy, parishes and supporters.

Larry Musolino brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across business and the not-for-profit sector to the role. The source does not provide operational metrics such as budget, staff numbers or donor figures for ACN Australia and New Zealand.

The players

Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand

Aid to the Church in Need is a Catholic charity supporting persecuted and suffering Christians around the world, with a national office operating across Australia and New Zealand.

Larry Musolino

Larry Musolino is an Australian business and not-for-profit leader with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience who now heads ACN's national operations.

Paul Woods

Paul Woods is the national president of Aid to the Church in Need Australia and New Zealand, overseeing the board that conducted the recruitment.

The details

The appointment was made following a recruitment process undertaken by the ACN board after a period of interim leadership. Lukas Rajnoch, ACN's director of engagement, served as acting national director from July until the appointment, while Paul Woods is the ACN national president.

July 2026: Bernard Toutounji departed as national director and interim leadership began.
12 November 2026: Larry Musolino was appointed national director and the appointment was announced publicly.

Leadership Continuity

The appointment follows the same board-led recruitment model used by Aid to the Church in Need's national offices across its international network. It replaces an interim arrangement with a permanent leader to restore continuity in its Australian and New Zealand operations.

For donors and supporters of Aid to the Church in Need in Australia and New Zealand, the appointment signals a settled leadership structure after months of interim arrangements. Supporters may see continuity in how the charity communicates and runs its programs under the new director.

The takeaway

Leadership transitions at charities often shape donor confidence, so stable appointments after a recruitment process can help supporters plan their giving with more certainty.