I've had the honor of serving as DJJ's Deputy Director since 2022, and today I can't believe I'm wrapping up my time in this role!

I'm so thrilled that my departure also brings the arrival of our amazing incoming Co-Director, Lisa Tencer, who will be leading alongside my incredible colleague Allie.

This change has been in the works for a few seasons now! Early this year I vulnerably shared with DJJ leadership that my consulting business was beginning to outgrow being on the side, and that stepping away from my DJJ part-time role was something I'd need to pursue in order to keep pursuing my dream. I feel so grateful that Allie and our Board supported me 100% in this transition, which was not without its challenges for the organization. Luckily, discussing the best path forward opened an exciting and generative conversation about shared leadership models. Together, our staff and Board arrived at this Co-Directorship model which we think will be great for DJJ and its leadership. It's been such a rewarding final project to help see through this leadership change and to hire Lisa, and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

It's been quite the journey at DJJ over these past few years, and every project has helped me to learn and grow so much. From supporting Allie as a new E.D., to launching as an independent 501(c)(3), to bringing together our first Board of Trustees, to crystallizing our Theory of Change -- I'm incredibly glad to have had all these transformational experiences and especially grateful to have had such a wonderful community to collaborate with. Going back to my first days as a community organizer at DJJ, the best part has always been the extremely special people I have the pleasure of working with: our staff team, our Board, volunteer leaders, our network of sister organizations, and our organizing community in Detroit. As we move forward into uncertain times, our relationships are what we can count on -- and I feel so blessed by the relationships I've developed over the years at DJJ. I count myself really lucky to be surrounded by such loving humans who are so dedicated to organizing for a better world.

Moving forward, I'm excited to be supporting DJJ in my consulting lane as an organizational coach on some key projects --  particularly this leadership transition early next year! And I look forward to continuing to organize together as a DJJ leader, and will be sure to see you at the next DJJ event. Thank you to everyone in this amazing community for what you do and who you are. Take good care in these final cold winter weeks of 2024, and I hope you enjoy some cookies, fried food, and time with loved ones!