Outgoing County Maureen Cassidy to temporarily lead the Pillar Nonprofit Network
Pillar Nonprofit Network has announced the appointment of the outgoing Board of Ward 5 London. Maureen Cassidy as the organization’s acting chief executive on Thursday.
Cassidy will temporarily lead the network beginning Oct. 17, when the former co-CEO and interim co-chair will step down.
« The first thing is really to bring the community together to find a way to get back to where Pillar is right now, » Cassidy told CBC News. « Personally, for me, the first thing I’d like to do is sit down with the staff and listen to them and kind of hear what they’ve been through for the past few months. »
According to the network’s website, interim co-CEO and co-chair Rachel Berdan submitted her resignation letter on September 22. Berdan joined Pillar in 2019, became director of social innovation in 2021, and recently assumed temporary senior management. role in July.
According to the online post, Berdan shared a reflection on his time at Pillar and his decision to part ways.
« Thinking about what impact I want to have and how best to honor myself and care for myself and the community, I realized it was time to move in a different direction. »
Pillar Nonprofit Network also announced Thursday that interim co-CEO and co-chair Tanja Kueneman will be leaving the organization on November 4. The update did not provide any reason why Kueneman is leaving his post.
The most recent leadership changes come as Pillar continues to search for a permanent CEO to replace Mojdeh Cox, who left the organization on July 14. In a series of Twitter posts in August, Cox explained that she was « out » of Pillar.
Dear friends, colleagues, network & members of the community,
As many of you know, a few weeks ago I was removed from my role as President & CEO of Pillar Nonprofit Network. Since then there has been a lot of speculation and I have been inundated with inquiries about my departure. 1/_
« The focus was on the board and some of the community dissatisfaction with the board and how they may have handled things that didn’t go over well with the community “, Cassidy said Thursday.
« I’m not aware of any part of this story other than what everyone has read in the media or heard in the media over the past few months, but I know there is a lot of healing that needs to be done. place first and foremost with the staff. »
Pilar’s board also announced on Thursday the creation of a community leadership advisory committee to help with the transformation period. The Expert Panel is expected to help address community concerns and build trust with its stakeholders.
The search for a permanent leader for the organization should be complete by next spring.
cbc
