Board of Directors Announcement of President & CEO Departure

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Written By Lincoln Web Admin

From Dave de Figueiredo, Board Chair, Lincoln

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It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the Board of Directors announces Christine Stoner-Mertz’s departure as President & CEO of Lincoln, effective February 28, 2019. Since 2005, Chris has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization, and while we will miss her and her inspiring leadership, we wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor as the Executive Director of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services in Sacramento. We want to thank her for the 13 years of dedicated service, which involved many significant accomplishments, including:

  • Growing the numbers impacted by Lincoln to more than 27,000

  • Developing and expanding more than eight new programs serving children and families, including preventative early childhood programming and an innovative School Engagement Program to address chronic truancy

  • Increasing staff from 150 to 260 and more than doubling the organization’s budget, from $11 million to $23.5 million

  • Building a race equity culture, including changes in behaviors, policies, and practices for greater inclusion, and the application of an equity lens on the organization, programs, and operations

  • Launching a new advocacy team to advocate for the passage of state legislation that will benefit the families Lincoln serves

The Board of Directors has ratified that Chief Program Officer, Allison Staulcup Becwar, be named interim President & CEO of Lincoln, effective January 1, 2019. Over the next few weeks, we will be conducting a process for identifying the next CEO. During this transition period, it is our priority to ensure that we receive input broadly in naming the best individual to lead, while maintaining a stable and effective organization. We will share updates about our process and ask for your continued support as we continue along Lincoln’s successful trajectory.

Again, we cannot thank Chris enough for the dedication, passion, enthusiasm, and motivation she has given Lincoln over the past 13 years. She will be greatly missed by the staff, Board, supporters, and partners alike. We look forward to following the success of her career and are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of Lincoln and we continue our important work to disrupt the impacts of poverty and trauma for children and families. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at ddefig@outlook.com.

Sincerely,

Dave de Figueiredo, Chair, Board of Directors, Lincoln

From Christine Stoner-Mertz, President & CEO, Lincoln

It is with deeply mixed emotions that I share my decision to leave my position at Lincoln in order to accept the position as the next Executive Director of the California Alliance for Children and Family Services. This decision has been a tremendously difficult one to make given the exciting and impactful work that we are in the midst of at Lincoln.

Just as we have transformed Lincoln’s programs and services, I hope to be able to have impact on the larger systems that are responsible for serving children and families throughout California. The opportunity to influence public policy, improve access to services, and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens that impede services is both challenging and compelling to me.

This bittersweet decision is one that has taken me quite some time to come to, but finally concluding that it is best to transition from my position when the organization has strong leadership in place and is financially stable. Just as it has carried on over many decades when leadership has changed, so will Lincoln continue to be the beacon for youth and families needing support through this leadership change as well.  

The best part of my job has been getting to know you: staff, board members, supporters, and partners. Without you, the organization would not be as strong and vibrant as it is. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of leading this organization through such an amazing and transformational period in its long history.

I am so honored to have been the leader of this incredible organization and will watch with much excitement and anticipation as it makes strides in supporting and creating solutions to disrupt cycles of poverty and trauma for children and families in our communities.

With my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the last 13 years,

Christine Stoner-Mertz, President & CEO, Lincoln


 

Lincoln Web Admin