It’s been over a quarter-century of dedicated service for Ganesh Subramaniam, who has spent the last 26 years making sure every dollar raised for Catholic Charities reaches the needy. Now, the organization’s long-standing finance manager has made the decision to retire, but not from caring. 

Reflecting on his career, Subramaniam says the real reward was never in the numbers, but in the people, both his team and the ones they served. 

“I am very grateful and very humbled that I was able to contribute, even if in a small way. Working with our volunteers really gives you that satisfaction at the end of each day, and even when the hours were long, you still felt that you were able to do it as part of a team that has been so amazing,” he said. 

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After 13 years at another nonprofit, he recalled hearing that Catholic Charities was looking for a finance manager back in 1999. It wasn’t long before he was asking friends about the organization, feeling an immediate connection and deciding to pursue the role in a decision that would launch a remarkable 26-year chapter at the turn of the millennium. 

While Subramaniam may attest that his contributions were “small,” his work often cemented itself as the humble, driving force behind Catholic Charities' work, turning countless donations into life-changing help for the most vulnerable across the years. 

For years, Subramaniam worked relatively unseen, overseeing financial management, pension administration, benefits administration and investments. He was responsible for managing the disbursement of funds raised through ShareLife campaigns to various member agencies, while also reviewing, validating and prioritizing agency funding requests with program managers and volunteers each year. 

Often in the thick of it, he is only now beginning to realize the true impact of his and his peers' daily work on the people who need it most. 

“When I first started, I didn't realize the real impact of our work for the vulnerable people, but as the years progress, I understand more and more what we are doing: receiving the funds from the people who have the means and diverting them to where there is a need,” he said. 

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“Working with our volunteers has always been satisfying because they work on average around 15 hours a week on top of their regular high-level positions, serving as social workers, accountants, and so many professionals come and volunteer, at the end of their day jobs, to review our agency submissions and identify where the money should go.” 

Looking back, Subramaniam noted an interesting reality that could only be observed by the people who have lived the life of service for as long as he had — while staff, technology and processes have evolved, the needs of vulnerable people not only remain, but have constantly grown more complex. 

"We have a very small office, but we are ultimately responsible for these social services and making sure those services in the Archdiocese of Toronto are being carefully managed and provided to all the needy people,” he said. 

Catholic Charities has shared office space with The Catholic Register since the Archdiocese of Toronto moved into its midtown chancery office in the 1990s. Over the years, both organizations shared a strong relationship, both professionally and socially, as many years saw the two share Christmas celebrations.

“So many good people have come and gone through our time as neighbours at the pastoral centre, and Ganesh is definitely one of the best. Always quick with a smile and his laugh, he brightened up so many days when we’d cross paths. His infectious smile and good humour are what we’ll miss most about Ganesh around the building,” said Editor Mickey Conlon. 

With his official last day being Dec. 31, the long-time manager made sure to impart some wise advice to his successor. 

“You must learn to enjoy this work. You are going to be part of a team, and you'll learn a lot about what's happening around you if you take the time to get involved. Working with our volunteers is always a privilege, so with that, get involved and enjoy it,” he said. 

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As for what’s next, those who guessed tropical vacations or golf lessons don’t truly understand how deeply service is woven into Subramaniam’s life. 

“ I'm already planning to do some volunteer work, not as an accountant, but something a little bit different. I'm going to visit some hospitals and a home for the aged, and just sit and listen to the older people's stories. That listening is a special skill I plan to develop myself,” he said.