Dear Friends,

I am privileged to introduce you to New Beginnings’ new Executive Director – Susan Segall.  Throughout the search process Susan emerged as the clear choice to lead the agency forward.  We are impressed with her passion for our work, deep commitment to social justice and social change, extensive leadership and management experience, and her thoughtful, compassionate, and collaborative approach to working with others (among many other wonderful qualities).  We are confident that Susan will be a wonderful addition to New Beginnings and the community of people working to end domestic violence.

Susan has over 25 years of leadership, management and program experience in nonprofits focused on peace and social justice.  For the past 13 years, she has served as Regional Director of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)  in the Pacific Northwest, providing leadership on issues of peace, immigrant rights, LGBT rights, Native American rights, criminal justice, and youth leadership development.  Before relocating to Seattle in 1999, Susan lived in Philadelphia, where she served as Interim Director of AFSC’s national Peace Education Division, coordinated emergency room and hotline services at Women Organized Against Rape, and provided sexuality education training to professionals at Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania.  Susan has served on boards of the Greater Philadelphia Women’s Medical Fund and the Church Council of Greater Seattle, and on the Racial Equity Advisory Committee of the Defender Association’s Racial Disparity Project.  We are enthusiastic about Susan’s arrival and look forward to working with her as we continue to serve New Beginnings’ mission.

I also extend my gratitude to the Board members, staff, and community members who committed their time and effort to help us find such an impressive new leader.  Our future success will be in part attributable to these individuals’ commitment and well-guided vision.  In particular, I would like to thank Cory Sbarbaro, our Search Committee Chair, whose expertise and incredible time commitment made hiring Susan possible.

Susan started at New Beginnings at the beginning of April.  Please join us in welcoming Susan to New Beginnings at our annual Gala and Auction event – A Mother’s Courage, A Child’s Future, on May 19, 2012.  And, as always, thank you for supporting New Beginnings’ important work.

Stephanie Beers, Board President