Executive Director Jane Van Buren Steps Down After Three Years in the Role;
Brought Stability to WHBW During Challenging Economic Period -
Board Plans to Adopt New Shared-Leadership Model,
Structured Around Direct Services, Finance and Development
Burlington, VT, May 14, 2013 – The Board of Directors of Chittenden County’s Women Helping Battered Women (WHBW), a community nonprofit which aids victims of domestic violence and works to prevent violence against spouses and children,announced today that Executive Director Jane Van Buren will step down after completing three years in the role. In response to this vacancy, The Board has initiated a search to fill a newly established role, Director of Development and Communications.
“We owe Jane Van Buren a great deal of gratitude for stabilizing WHBW and for navigating the organization through a turbulent economic environment, both post-recession and, later, post-Irene,” noted Kelly Jayne McCann, WHBW’s Board Chair. “We had the opportunity during Jane’s tenure to develop strong management candidates internally. As such, we believe the time is right for the organization to consider a shared leadership model.”
Two members of the leadership team are already in place. Wanda Bezio, who has been with WHBW for 24 years in the finance department, will formally become Director of Finance. Meanwhile, Jennie Davis, who has worked on the Direct Services team for the past five and a half years, most recently as the team leader, will become Director of Programs.
The Board of Directors is excited to announce a local and regional search for the third, newly created position – Director of Development and Communications. This position will play a pivotal role in helping the organization fulfill its mission. As the public face of organization, the Director of Development and Communications will engage the community and build solid relationships that lead to additional support. A detailed description of the new position can be found at www.whbw.org.
In advance of filling the Development position, parties interested in bringing grant application and other philanthropic award opportunities to the attention of WHBW should contact Michelle Hough, at either (802) 658-3131, ext. 1077, or michelleh@whbw.org.
About Women Helping Battered Women
Formed in 1974, WHBW has evolved into the largest service provider for victims of domestic violence in Vermont. In addition to providing emergency shelter and housing advocacy, WHBW offers 24-hour hotline services, legal advocacy, programs for children and many educational outreach programs. We believe that all women and children have the right to live without fear of battering – sexual, physical, emotional, or financial.
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