A Personal Note From Sherri Bennett

After 22 years with YWCA Clark County, I have chosen to end one chapter of my career and begin another.  I will be leaving this amazing organization at the end of February to become the Chief of Staff at Washington State University Vancouver.Making this decision was one of the most difficult I’ve ever encountered. Days of soul searching led me to the conclusion that now’s the time for me to leave. YWCA Clark County is at the top of its game, delivering daily on its promises to the community to fight racism, advocate for women and children, and protect our most vulnerable residents from abuse, neglect, and trauma. There are inspiring leaders at every level in this organization. It is a well-oiled, inclusive, equity driven, service-minded machine.Change can be scary, but we have a plan in place and the Board has already begun to execute it.   We have selected a consultant to lead the hiring process and will be interviewing interim executive director candidates next week. Ideally the interim executive director will begin in mid-February and the new executive director will be in place by July 1^st.  (Please keep in mind these are tentative dates.)I must tell you, I am not in the least concerned about YWCA Clark County’s future as I move on. The resiliency of this organization is built upon the thousands of participants who benefit from our programs; the volunteers who dedicate themselves to making Clark County a better place to live; the staff members whose passion for the mission drives us; and our thoughtful Board of Directors, who guide the organization with vision and heart. It has been a privilege to be surrounded by these wonderful, caring people.YWCA will always live in my heart, and my new position at Washington State University Vancouver offers me the privilege of strengthening relationships between local nonprofits and the university. So that means I’ll get to work with YWCA’S team in a new capacity!Strong Alone.  Fearless Together.Sherri Bennett