Dear Cranaleith Community,
Since the retirement of Deborah Kost in February, the Board of Directors has been engaged in a regional search for Cranaleith’s next Executive Director. Working with the non-profit executive search firm Lambert and Associates, and including input from many of Cranaleith’s staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to hire Dawn Hayward, PhD, as Cranaleith’s new Executive Director. Dawn began in this role on Tuesday, June 7, and I join the Board in sharing our excitement at having Dawn take the reins of leadership at this organization that we love.
Applications for this position were robust, and many talented people were interviewed and considered. Yet, during the interview process it became clearer at each step that Dawn has the perfect blend of professional experience, vision, and familiarity with the charism of the Sisters of Mercy. In fact, Dawn comes to Cranaleith from Gwynedd Mercy University, where she served for 11 years as Assistant Vice President in Academic Affairs. Dawn knows firsthand how the Mercy charism and mission is integrated into an organization, and she has the professional experience to make certain that Cranaleith continues to serve our constituents at the highest level. I encourage you to click the link below to read Dawn’s biography and learn for yourself why she’s a great fit to lead Cranaleith into the future.
Hiring a new leader for a non-profit organization is a serious task for any Board, and I want to thank my fellow Board members for their tireless dedication to this process. Especially, I want to thank Sr. Ellen Murray, RSM, PhD, who took the mantel of Interim Director these past few months. Thank you, Sr. Ellen, for your leadership of Cranaleith during this transition.
Lastly, I was to thank the Cranaleith community–staff, volunteers, donors, community partners, and local businesses–for your commitment to our mission to provide spiritual transformation to all who seek it, especially those on the margins. Cranaleith will soon celebrate our 25th anniversary, and with the commitment of each of you and the leadership of Dawn and the Board, Cranaleith is well-positioned for the next 25 years.
Thank you, and I hope to see you at the Sanctuary of Trees soon.
In Mercy,
Steven Hart
Chair, Board of Directors
You can read Dawn’s biography HERE.