After a four-month search, led by a team of ReBuilding Center staff and board members, we are excited to announce Jaclyn Kirouac-Fram as our new Executive Director. Jackie follows the ReBuilding Center’s Acting Executive Director, Kelly Stevens, who will remain on staff, and Interim Executive Director, Alison Dennis, who left the organization in November to pursue a new challenge as Executive Director of the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology in Otis, Oregon.
2018 was a year of leadership transition for the ReBuilding Center, but we built on our strengths and continued to work on objectives set during strategic planning. The ReBuilding Center anticipates that Jackie will leverage these strengths to help our organization continue to make a material difference in the Portland community and beyond.
"We were very intentional in looking for candidates who had a history of collaborative leadership and whose values around sustainability and equity aligned with ours,” said Vio Rubiani, the ReBuilding Center Board Chair. “From the get-go, and throughout the process, Jackie's experience, empathy, and commitment to our mission and vision really shone through. We are very lucky to have her and are looking forward to working with her for many years to come."
Jackie is joining us following her role as Vice President at FOCUS St. Louis. FOCUS is a nonprofit whose mission is to educate future civic leaders through six civic leadership programs. Jackie brings her collaborative work style and experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, leading and developing relationships with diverse teams, building programs and partnerships, and turning strategic plans into action—not to mention a deep passion for strengthening communities! This unique blend of experience will help us continue our evolution/growth and increase our impact for the people, communities, and environment we serve.
From Jackie: "I'm excited to start working with the fantastic team at RBC to strengthen the social and environmental vitality of our community and amplify our voice as leaders in sustainability and community well-being. We are going to do great things together!"
Jackie will start her role of Executive Director in early March, getting to know Portland, the ReBuilding Center, our key partners, and you! Come on by and introduce yourself and help us give her a warm welcome.