Christine Allen said her appointment to replace Chris Bain - who is retiring next spring after 15 years in the post - feels "like coming home".
Having become a campaigns co-ordinator for the charity in 1989, Allen went on to take high-level roles in organisations including Christian Aid and Progressio.
She said: "I'm honoured and delighted to be appointed to this role at CAFOD. It feels like coming home.
"Working for CAFOD as a young campaigner, I discovered Catholic social teaching and was hugely inspired and influenced by a church that took action for peace and justice.
"The need for global solidarity today is as great as ever."
Following eleven years as the executive director of the international development charity, Progressio, Allen has been heading up policy and public affairs at Christian Aid since 2012.
Yesterday we announced Christine Allen as the new director of CAFOD.
— CAFOD (@CAFOD) November 22, 2018
Christine is looking forward to starting in the spring and sends the message below. Check out our full announcement here>>https://t.co/uAJt3wFas0 pic.twitter.com/e8IMf2Z1qK
She continued: "CAFOD, and its thousands of supporters, stands as a powerful witness of love in a world of greed and selfishness, as we seek to end the injustices of poverty, inequality and environmental exploitation.
"I am immensely proud of CAFOD, its work and its role in the global Catholic family and I feel humbled to lead such an important agency of the church."
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.