Congratulations on your new role and thank you for everything, you will be missed!
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A note from Maureen
Dear Colleagues, Community Partners, Supporters and Young People;
It is with deep gratitude and respect that I write to inform you of my decision to transition out of my role as CEO of the Youth Leadership Institute.
After more than two decades as founder, President and CEO, I will be moving on to pursue the next phase of my career. After much consideration, I have made the very personal decision to accept a leadership position working in the private sector in a position that allows me the opportunity to continue to work for social good. I have accepted the position as the Vice President of Northern California for Revolution Foods.
This year marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life and for YLI. The Institute is excited about the opportunities that this leadership transition will bring. YLI leadership (Board and Staff) have been working together to plan for this change for some time now. We have built a strong infrastructure with Executive and programmatic leadership, expanded our national Board of Directors and built community level internal leadership which has poised us to shepherd YLI forward into its next phase.
We are unified and confident in the organization’s Leadership Team, its Board of Directors, and its staff to continue to bring forward the excellence and high quality initiatives that have always exemplified YLI’s field leadership. Within the next few weeks, the Board will begin a national search and is anticipating announcing a new Executive Director before years end.
Over 22 years ago, I had a dream to create an organization that built excellent youth engagement programs and would ensure a lasting impact. YLI today is the realization of that dream. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey.
I have been so blessed to have been in partnership with such an amazing Board of Directors, community partners, the extremely resilient, smart and talented young people and a dedicated, brilliant and talented staff. I am so proud and humbled by all the experiences and accomplishments I have had as the founder and CEO of YLI. We’ve grown from one small office, into four offices in diverse communities representing California’s diversity. We are a significant contributor to the national youth leadership and development landscape, serving organizations through research, training and evaluation in over 35 states.
I am extremely confident YLI will continue to thrive, to build on relationships with local, state and national partners, and expand on the important alliances we have developed through the provision of innovative training, action research and youth development evaluation to organizational partners across the U.S.
I remain YLI’s biggest champion and invite you to strengthen your commitment to the organization by becoming involved in our 20th Anniversary Youth Leadership Awards & Celebration in September.
We will be in contact with you soon.
I will finish my work at YLI over the next few months and hope during that time to connect with each of you personally.
Thank you for your partnership and commitment to YLI. We would not be YLI with out you. Please feel free email me or any member of our Board of Directors.
With Deepest Gratitude and in Community,
Maureen Sedonaen
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Maureen through the years: