On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am writing to announce that we have begun the search for our next Executive Director.
Judith has been a grounding force for our organization, guiding us through periods of growth, challenge, and transformation with an unwavering commitment to our mission. Under her leadership, Advancement Project has been a first responder in moments of civil rights crisis and community uprising, partnering with over 75 organizations in 18 states to build power for communities of color across the country. We are deeply grateful for the foundation she has built and the profound example she has set in walking alongside our communities with grace and integrity.
As we embark on this search, we do so with tremendous excitement and optimism. This is a pivotal moment in our organization’s history, presenting us with extraordinary opportunities to build upon our important work while embracing new possibilities for impact and growth. The leader who joins us will inherit an organization positioned for a bold future, with a devoted team of movement lawyers, organizers, communicators, and administrative staff along with a strong base of donors, partners, and allies. We are ready for the next phase of our important work.
In identifying a new Executive Director, we are committed to conducting a thorough and inclusive search process that will identify a bold, principled leader who shares our values, brings fresh perspectives, and possesses the strategic vision necessary to guide us into our next chapter. We seek someone who will honor our legacy while boldly advancing our mission in service of racial justice and multiracial democracy.
The Board has retained Strategies for Social Change to assist with this process alongside our leadership transition committee, composed of both board and staff representatives. We are deeply grateful for their tireless work as we identify the right candidate for this role. Our special thanks to Carmen Daugherty, who will be filling in as Interim Executive Director upon Judith’s departure.
We will keep our community informed of our progress and invite you to help us find our next extraordinary leader by circulating our job announcement through your networks. We look forward to introducing you to our new Executive Director in the coming months.
This transition represents renewal and possibility during a critical moment in our nation’s history, where together we face relentless forces of oppression and urgent questions about the future of our democracy. We are confident that our next Executive Director will rise to meet this moment, building upon our achievements while bringing vision, courage, and the new energy needed to help build a future where communities of color can thrive.
Sincerely,
Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
Chair, Board of Directors