Search Success: Maridel Perdomo Joins Families First as the Senior Director of Programs!

Families First and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are excited to announce, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, that Maridel Perdomo has joined Families First as the Senior Director of Programs.

This is an exciting time for Families First, as they are seeing incredible outcomes from their programs and are in the process of expanding across the state. With the launch of a 5-year business plan, the organization looks toward significant growth in the coming years.

Reporting to Family First’s Executive Director, Sue Covitz, Maridel will be responsible for the oversight and implementation of Families First’s regional programming in Greater Boston and Western MA. Through this work, she will prioritize Families First’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by engaging parents and the Families First team to inform regional and programmatic growth as the organization expands.

In addition, she will oversee Families First’s alumni services, support the evaluation and quality strategy, and support the program curricula and training strategy. She will serve on the leadership team to advance organizational goals and cross-departmental priorities and will execute and monitor expansion plans as a part of the 5-year business plan.

Maridel joins Families First from Schools for Children, where she was the Director of Extended Learning Programs. There, she was responsible for multi-site programs for 200 students and leading 30 staff members. Prior roles have included Site Director of YMCA at Gardner Pilot Academy, Preschool Director at Pine Village Preschool, and roles as Job Developer and Youth Program Director with Centro Latino. Maridel earned her master’s degree in public administration from Framingham State University, her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Salem State University, and also holds a degree in Human Resource Administration from Cecilio Acosta University in Caracas, Venezuela. Recently, Maridel served on the Board of Trustees of Watertown’s New Rep Theatre, where she was a member of the Diversity Committee and was involved in fundraising, budgeting, and the annual planning process.

About Families First: Families First’s mission is to partner with parents to amplify their power so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities through their groundbreaking programs. Their model includes parenting education and support, parent leadership, family engagement, and alumni services.

For more than 35 years, Families First has been a leader in providing parenting education across the Greater Boston area. The organization was founded in 1988 with the goal of helping parents navigate the diverse challenges of raising children by providing research-based parenting education services.

Today, Families First provides Massachusetts’s most comprehensive model for early childhood parenting education, family engagement, and parent leadership: The Power of ParentingTM program and The Ripple Program TM.

As a result of Families First’s high-impact, multi-tiered program model, parents will support the development of their children’s social-emotional and cognitive skills, embrace their role as the most important force in their children’s learning and well-being, and gain new skills and resources to support and advocate for their children as they grow. Learn more about this amazing organization at www.families-first.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Sher Omerovic Named JVS’ New Chief Program Officer!

JVS Boston and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce, following an extensive and competitive candidate search, the appointment of Sher Omerovic to the position of Chief Program Officer.

This is a well-deserved promotion from Sher’s most recent role with JVS as Senior Vice President of Programs. Sher joined JVS in 2016.

Reporting to JVS’ CEO, Kira Khazatsky, Sher will lead the core of JVS’ work – the development, quality, and delivery of JVS’s services. Sher will provide strategic leadership to the programmatic Vice President team to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and goals, and support and develop the programmatic VP team to achieve programmatic outcomes. She will collaborate with other principal executives to ensure long-term strategic planning and board management align with the organization’s mission and goals.

Sher brings extensive program, workforce development and leadership experience to the Chief Program Officer role. Prior to JVS, she worked at the Fish Family Foundation, where she developed and implemented a statewide citizenship initiative partnering with multiple community organizations, immigration attorneys, and volunteers to organize large-scale citizenship events across the commonwealth, and held roles in immigration and employment with Catholic Charities of Boston and in grants with United Way. Sher earned her master’s degree in nonprofit project management from Northeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in international relations and modern languages from Beloit College.

About JVS Boston: For 80 years, JVS has helped tens of thousands of individuals with barriers to economic success secure financial independence through training, education, and employment services.  As the largest provider of adult education and workforce development services in the region, JVS is a nationally recognized leader in workforce development, and is a key part of the poverty alleviation strategy for the greater-Boston area.  In order to reach people in need of assistance on their pathway to meaningful employment and financial independence, JVS targets most of its services to low-income individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and to low-wage workers in need of career advancement services.  Many have multiple support needs ranging from limited English proficiency and lack of education to disabilities, criminal records, lack of childcare and transportation.  JVS operates on annual budget of more than $15 million, of which is derived equally from public and private sources. For more information, please visit www.jvs-boston.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Griet Dehandschutter Joins Treehouse Foundation as Director of Development!

Treehouse Foundation and Pillar Search are thrilled to announce the appointment of Griet Dehandschutter to the position of Director of Development.

As the Director of Development, Griet will be a key member of the Treehouse Leadership Team, overseeing the organization’s fundraising and expanding its community of support across Massachusetts and nationwide. Griet will be responsible for setting fundraising strategy, managing the fundraising team, growing Treehouse’s resources by deepening engagement with individuals, corporations and foundations and raising the organization’s visibility in support of its big and bold vision. She will report to Treehouse Foundation’s Founder and Executive Director Judy Cockerton.

Most recently, Griet was the Executive Director of Acton-Boxborough United Way where she doubled the revenue in two years and engaged multi-stakeholder coalitions to address vital community needs. Prior to that, Griet was an international fundraising consultant, where she pioneered innovative and sustainable international major giving, corporate and foundation giving strategies with large and small nonprofits, museums, and universities across 15 countries and 4 continents. Earlier in her career, as East Coast Director for Flanders Investment and Trade, Griet partnered with Fortune 500 executives to locate their pan-European business operations in Belgium. Griet also co-founded the European-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States, today known as the Transatlantic Business Council (TABC).

Griet earned her Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and her Master of Law from Belgium’s University of Antwerp.

In addition, Griet has served on several boards, including the American Fund for Charities, SilverAqua, and iScale. As a volunteer, Griet co-chaired the Capital Campaign for the United Church of Christ in Boxborough, MA.

About the Treehouse Foundation: The Treehouse Foundation is an award-winning Massachusetts-based nonprofit that is working diligently to inspire a Re-Envisioning of Foster Care in America.

Since its launch in 2002, Treehouse has been investing in foster care, vital aging, and affordable housing innovation. Its mission: To inspire, implement, and support innovative child welfare practices that ensure our children who experience foster care find permanent families and supportive communities, allowing them to develop, heal and thrive. Its vision: Every child rooted in family and community. 

Nationally recognized social entrepreneur, Judy Cockerton, has provided her visionary leadership to the Treehouse Foundation since its inception. Cockerton, known as a highly collaborative leader, developed the award-winning intergenerational Treehouse Community model and leads the Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) movement. In 2006, the first intergenerational Treehouse Community opened in western Massachusetts, where the largest percentage of children and youth experiencing foster care in the Commonwealth reside. The Treehouse Foundation partnered with Beacon Communities LLC to design, build and operate the first Treehouse Community in Easthampton, MA. Treehouse is now partnering with 2Life Communities to bring the successful intergenerational Treehouse Community model to the site of the former Boston State Hospital in Mattapan.

On November 3-4, the Treehouse Foundation will host its 9th national Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America (REFCA) conference in Boston. REFCA2023 will feature the wisdom, award winning ideas, and lived expertise of REFCA Champions – stellar changemakers who are using their firsthand experience and professional acumen to create new visions for child welfare.

To learn more about this visionary organization, please visit https://www.treehousefoundation.net.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Aubey Church Joins Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance as Policy Manager!

Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Aubrey Church to the position of Fisheries Policy Manager. Aubrey joined the organization on February 6, 2023.

As Policy Manager, Aubrey will manage and execute all policy and campaign activities, working with the CEO to develop policy positions and strategize advocacy campaigns. Aubrey will attend state and federal regulatory meetings to monitor proposed changes and represent the local fleet, analyze fishery policy options, build relationships and credibility within the fishing industry and with elected officials, organize fishermen meetings to discuss fisheries issues, write comment letters on proposed regulatory changes (for the organization and for the fishermen), and organize fishermen and the public to participate in advocacy campaigns.

Most recently, Aubrey was a Research Biologist with the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation. Prior, she was a Data Debriefer with the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program and earlier in her career Aubrey was a Northeast Fisheries Observer and At-Sea Monitor with MRAG, Americas. In addition, she has consulted with Fishery Applications Consulting Team, LLC and Stoveboat LLC.

In December 2022, Aubrey completed her Professional Science Master’s degree from UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College.

About Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance: The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance is a progressive leader that promotes stewardship of coastal ecosystems and community-based fisheries management through outreach, economic development, and policy programs. Started in 1991 by a small group of commercial hook and line fishermen from Cape Cod, the organization quickly developed into an effective voice for all local fishermen. The operating theory is straightforward: responsible fishing practices and conservative regulations will generate healthy fish stocks and revitalize the region’s fishing communities.

The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance works closely with fishermen, public officials, scientists, and other non-profits to advocate for a sustainable small-boat fishing fleet while creating smart policies that promote habitat protection, community decision-making, and a viable fishery for the next generation. Learn more at www.capecodfishermen.org.  

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

Search Success: Rob Jacobs Joins Sandy Hook Promise as Vice President of Technology!

Sandy Hook Promise and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Rob Jacobs to the position of Vice President of Technology. Rob joined the organization on January 30, 2023.

As Vice President of Technology, Rob will lead technology strategy, objectives goals vision, priorities, and technology decisions. He will define and bring to life the best technology solutions that meet the needs of the organization today and establish the right foundation for future growth and ability to scale, while also leading a team of IT professionals, building on a best-in-class culture with big-picture thinking that is adaptable and able to respond to the needs and goals of the organization effectively and efficiently. Rob will develop, implement, and evaluate technology projects and new processes and systems in line with organizational objectives, and build Project Management expertise to manage these initiatives.

Most recently, Rob was Director of IT with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Prior, he was the Chief Information Officer of the Capital Good Fund. Earlier in his career, he was the Chief Information Officer of Kappa Alpha Theta and Senior Director of IT with Herff Jones, as well as a consultant with The Integrity Practice.

Rob earned his master’s degree in organizational management & development from the Fielding Graduate School and his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Morehouse College.

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its lifesaving, evidence informed Know the Signs prevention programs, Sandy Hook Promise educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Sandy Hook Promise is a moderate, bipartisan organization that supports sensible policy solutions that address the human side of gun violence and make schools safer. Sandy Hook Promise is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. For more information about Sandy Hook Promise, please visit https://www.sandyhookpromise.org.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting: A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and the boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information about Pillar, please visit www.pillarsearch.com.

New Search! Fisheries Policy Manager with Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance

FISHERIES POLICY MANAGER 

  • Are you passionate about making a difference?
  • Are you a natural and outgoing leader?
  • Do you enjoy influencing others and negotiating solutions?
  • Does the idea of working in a cubicle every day seem soul-crushing?
  • Are you looking for a role with career growth over the next few years?

If you’re 5 for 5, then you should learn more about a unique opportunity to join the team at the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance as its new Policy Manager. Pillar Search & HR Consulting is honored to manage this important search.

The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance is a progressive leader that promotes stewardship of coastal ecosystems and community-based fisheries management through outreach, economic development, and policy programs. Started in 1991 by a small group of commercial hook and line fishermen from Cape Cod, the organization quickly developed into an effective voice for all local fishermen. The operating theory is straightforward: responsible fishing practices and conservative regulations will generate healthy fish stocks and revitalize the region’s fishing communities.

The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance works closely with fishermen, public officials, scientists, and other non-profits to advocate for a sustainable small-boat fishing fleet while creating smart policies that promote habitat protection, community decision-making, and a viable fishery for the next generation. Learn more at www.capecodfishermen.org.

This full-time job offers a creative opportunity to engage multiple skills working within a dynamic team structure, with serious potential for growth.

Initially, this position will manage and execute all policy and campaign activities, working with the CEO/Policy Director to develop policy positions and strategize advocacy campaigns. The Fisheries Policy Manager will attend state and federal regulatory meetings to monitor proposed changes and represent the local fleet, analyze fishery policy options, build relationships and credibility within the fishing industry and with elected officials, organize fishermen meetings to discuss fisheries issues, write comment letters on proposed regulatory changes (for the organization and for the fishermen), and organize fishermen and the public to participate in advocacy campaigns.

Within 2-3 years, with mentoring from the CEO/Policy Director, it is expected that this position will take over the public policy roles and responsibilities currently held by the CEO and advance to the role of Policy Director. Additionally, the Policy Director will manage a team of 1-2 team members and provide ongoing strategic leadership regarding fisheries policy and advocacy campaigns.

A successful candidate will be adept at speaking with commercial fishermen at the pier or on their boats, talking with Congress and fisheries managers, and arguing for regulatory change in a wide range of important decision-making venues. They should be comfortable advocating for positive change in often contentious debates.

Core Aspects of the Work

  • Policy and advocacy work
  • Representation of fishermen and the fishing community
  • Fishermen communications
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Influence without authority
  • Negotiation
  • Problem-solving
  • Representation
  • Stakeholder focus

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

  • Collaborate with fishing membership and staff to identify and evaluate opportunities in the regulatory arena to forward our core mission and specific objectives in each fishery.
  • Participate in the planning and decision-making for policy initiatives, develop process management to execute strategy and tactics.
  • Attend and coordinate fishermen participation in meetings of the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) as well as its affiliated Oversight Committees, Plan Development Teams, Science and Statistical Committees, and Advisory Panels (when appropriate).
  • Attend and coordinate participation in meetings of the various other state and federal regulatory bodies responsible for fisheries management including Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF).
  • Draft, revise and submit official organizational comments on relevant regulatory and legislative actions.
  • Communicate regularly with fishermen in order to build, maintain and improve community relationships; utilize relationships as points of influence for policy campaigns.
  • Coordinate member fishermen’s participation in the regulatory process through written and verbal comments on important regulatory changes.
  • Manage organizational partnerships and coordinate like-minded stakeholders in the policy arena. Represent the organization at Fishing Communities Coalition and Seafood Harvesters of America.
  • Communicate important pending or potential regulatory changes to other members of staff, affected fishermen members, elected state and federal representatives and the public.
  • Participate in the drafting, revising and submission of formal funding proposals for policy programs.
  • Assist the CEO and/or Development Director during meetings with existing and prospective individual donors and philanthropic foundations.
  • Collaborate with the Communications Officer and other staff to identify and evaluate media opportunities to advance policy goals.
  • Participate, whenever appropriate, in the drafting and revising of media pieces to further policy and organizational goals.

Required Experience and Competencies

Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
  • 3-5 years relevant experience in policy, campaign planning, and community building
  • Desire to grow long-term with an organization to affect lasting change
  • Natural affinity for cultivating relationships and persuading, convening, facilitating, and building consensus among stakeholders with a variety of viewpoints preferred.
  • Passion for mission

Key Competencies:

  • Adaptability
  • Building trust
  • Collaboration
  • Communication (written and verbal)
  • Conflict management
  • Cultural competence
  • Decision-making
  • Engages Others
  • Initiative
  • Teamwork

Start Date

  • Ideally, the new Policy Manager will join the organization no later than January 2023

Salary and Benefits

  • The starting annual salary range is $65K-$80K. In addition, the organization offers generous health care coverage upon starting and 401K retirement plan (5% match after one year).

Location of Work

Cape Cod, MA.  The Program Manager is expected to be in the office in Chatham, MA at least 1 day a week; flexible telework options available for the remainder of week, with the expectation of regular travel to regional regulatory meetings and to meet with fishermen (in Cape Cod ports and at office).

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

This can be a high-stress position: handles detailed, complex concepts and problems, balances multiple tasks simultaneously, and engages in contentious discussions.  Plans and meets deadlines. Maintains a flexible work schedule to align with fishermen’s schedules, occasionally weekends and evenings. Travels regularly to regional meetings throughout New England and to meet with fishermen across Cape Cod. Demonstrates commitment to continued professional growth and development. While the position is generally not physically demanding, we expect staff to occasionally go fishing 3-60 miles offshore with industry members, to build trusting relationships and credibility.

To Apply:.

Cindy Joyce, Founder and Executive Search Consultant, Pillar Search & HR Consulting, is managing the Policy Manager search. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Cindy at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

The Fishermen’s Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

New Search: Program Manager with Fab Foundation!

Pillar Search is honored to partner with Fab Foundation on the search for their new Program Manager.

The Fab Foundation is a US-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves an international community. The organization procures and installs fab labs (digital design and fabrication laboratories) globally, trains fab lab personnel in the operation and management of fab labs, trains and supports teachers in K-12 schools to teach digital fabrication as catalyst for learning STEM skills and disciplines, manages a portfolio of distributed education programs under the Academany and Fab Academy brands,  manages the SCOPES-DF global K-12 research and educator practice program,  engages in consulting, in teaching and training for all age groups, educators and learners, organizes and hosts an annual convening of the global fab lab network, and engages in other business and programs that support and enhance the global fab lab network’s ability to make good educational, social and economic impact. (http://fabfoundation.org)

The Fab Foundation is hiring a Program Manager immediately. This is a full-time position, and a remote role that will require some travel as needed within the U.S. and occasionally abroad.

Position Summary:

Fab Foundation is seeking a Program Manager to manage and implement educational outreach projects with corporate and private funding partners.  The Program Manager will serve as a liaison between Fab Foundation, relevant project funders, as well as local organizations that host the related educational outreach activities. The Program Manager will primarily be responsible for US-based projects but may be called upon from time to time to manage international projects.  In this role they will develop key stakeholder relationships for the various partnerships formed for the relevant outreach projects and manage the overall day to day operation of the program(s). They will develop schedules, coordinate resources, and ensure that daily operations of the program align with the overall goals and objectives of the project. The Program Manager will work closely with project personnel, such as instructors, lab managers, teachers and others to implement outreach projects.

The Program Manager will also assist in identifying innovative outreach opportunities to engage local partnering communities as well as new partners in our work.  To amplify outreach efforts, the Program Manager will support in communications efforts such as social media to promote our educational outreach activities.

Assessment and data collection will be a continuing part of our work in order to understand and to report to funders our impact. To that end, in collaboration with other members of the Fab Foundation staff, the Program Manager will be responsible for monitoring program metrics, and tracking, synthesizing and reporting data related to the project, and work in partnership with Fab Foundation leadership on meeting program grant requirements.

The first outreach project to be undertaken by the Program Manager will be to implement two K-12 STEM outreach fab labs and related programming in partnering Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the US.

This is grant-funded full-time position at the Fab Foundation. Employment beyond 24 months is contingent upon program funding. The Program Manager will report to the President and the Vice President of Operations at the Fab Foundation.

Position Title:

Program Manager, The Fab Foundation

Position time commitment:

Full-time employment, 40 hours per week.

Position Hire Date:

Position open, hiring now!

Position Requirements

  • 2-3 years of experience working in administration, and/or in teaching and instruction, especially to underserved communities. STEM education experience is highly preferred.
  • College degree in education or management with relevant on-the-job experience.
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work in a team-based environment; demonstrated flexibility, initiative, and collegiality.
  • Must have strong general management, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills, as well as some technical knowledge, strong attention to detail, and highly developed customer relations attitude and competencies.
  • Experience with software and online collaborative tools such as: Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, Google Workspace, image and video editing software, etc.
  • Facility with social media platforms such as: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.
  • Experience with some web maintenance, programming and design tools a plus: i.e. WordPress, CSS, InDesign, html, xtml, etc.
  • Proof of strong writing capability

Factors for Success:

  • Patient, adept multi-tasker who likes to make things.
  • Leads as a proactive team-player & displays a passion for helping people learn through discovery.
  • Fab labs are multiple disciplinary learning environment. The ideal candidate will have an equally diverse background and be willing and able to embrace new concepts and technologies as needed.
  • Some experience with fabrication equipment such as a 3D Printer, vinyl printer/cutter, laser etcher/cutter, CNC mill, etc. will be highly valued.

Position Compensation: 

The salary range is $85K – $98K. Benefits available.

FAB FOUNDATION COMMITMENT:

Fab Foundation is strongly committed to diversity and a workplace environment that respects, appreciates and values employee differences and similarities. Fab Foundation is an employment at-will organization and an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, Fab Foundation prohibits retaliation against an applicant or employee because he or she has engaged in protected activity under the statutes prohibiting discrimination in the workplace. M/F/V/DV

TO APPLY: 

Fab Foundation has partnered with Cindy Joyce of Pillar Search & HR Consulting on the search for their new Program Manager. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Cindy at cindy@pillarsearch.com.