Dear Friends and Colleagues,
It is with a mix of excitement and sadness that I am sharing the news that I have made the difficult decision to move on from my position as Executive Director of the Coalition next June. It is the right time in my life to transition out of full-time employment, and I believe a good time for the Coalition to welcome new leadership.
Our Board and staff are engaged in a process of evaluating the future needs of the agency and potential leadership models that will best support our mission and values. I have full confidence in their ability to successfully steer the Coalition through the transition, and I am committed to working with them, and all of you, to make the process as seamless as possible. We will be keeping you updated, and offering opportunities for input from all of you, as we move forward in this process.
It has been such an honor and a privilege to be able to spend most of my adult life working in the movement to end gender-based violence, and especially to be able to serve in this role for most of the last quarter century. It truly has been the most life-affirming, inspirational work I can imagine doing, and it is all of you, the most visionary, brilliant, compassionate, and dedicated people I know, who have made it possible.
It’s not yet time to say good-bye, and I don’t plan on going too far, either physically or metaphorically. I am looking forward to having more time to play with my friends, family, and cats 😊, to be outdoors, to travel, to sleep, and to see what unfolds. I know that whatever the future holds, I will always stay connected to the Coalition, and our collective work for gender, racial, economic, and social justice.
I look forward to connecting with you all in the coming months.
In gratitude and solidarity,
Merril