The Children’s Alliance, a Washington state-based advocacy organization dedicated to improving the well-being of children by effecting positive changes in public policies, priorities, and programs, yesterday announced two upcoming leadership transitions.
Deputy director Jon Gould will leave his position at the end of September. Gould has served Children’s Alliance for 22 years. Paola Maranan, executive director since 2004, will leave her position at the end of May 2020. Maranan has served Children’s Alliance for 26 years.
The Children’s Alliance board of directors will lead the process to recruit and hire the next executive director.
“Children’s Alliance has been fortunate to have the strong, long-term leadership of Paola and Jon,” said Gabriela Quintana, chair of the board of directors.
“The board joins with the staff and community to thank them for their years of service and wish them well for the future,” she continued. “We also know that leadership transitions are inevitable. With a strong staff, board, and network of child advocates, the Children’s Alliance will grow through this opportunity.”
The two leaders, who comprise two of the three members of the organization’s staff management team, made independent decisions to transition within the same 12-month period. In the course of their long working relationship, they had made a mutual commitment to advise each other early of such a decision. They announced their transitions together in order to maximize the opportunity for strong planning and rehiring through much of 2020.
Children’s Alliance has a rich 36-year history of successful public policy advocacy for kids and families. As these longtime leaders prepare to depart, that work will continue due to the contributions of a strong board and staff.
The board will share information about the executive director search on the Children’s Alliance website: www.childrensalliance.org/transitions.
To read the personal statements of Maranan, Gould and Quintana, please visit www.childrensalliance.org/blog/announcement-childrens-alliance.
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