The Board of Directors of Safe Passage takes great pride and pleasure in welcoming Erin Mooney as our new Executive Director. Erin’s appointment represents the successful culmination of an extensive international search process supported by Carney, Sandoe & Associates, a search firm based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Erin distinguished herself as a candidate with her extensive executive and administrative leadership experience, her adaptability and resilience, her ability to connect with people and keep them at the forefront of her work, her love and understanding of Guatemala and her people, and her bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish. She comes to us with five years of experience leading a non-profit in Guatemala, having recently served as the Executive Director of Natün, an organization dedicated to advancing education, nutrition & health and economic development within Maya communities.
During the interview process, Board members found Erin to be smart, engaging, thoughtful, curious, and passionate about the mission of Safe Passage. The alignment of Erin’s personal values with those of Safe Passage provides yet another area of shared belief. One director commented, “the minute I met Erin and spoke with her, I knew she was the right person for the job: she understands our mission, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will allow her to lead us to the next level in terms of our organizational development.”
The Senior Director of Student and Community Services, Pablo Callejas, noted that “Erin is a person who can listen, analyze, give her sincere opinion, and take yours into account, from the first moment she made evident her commitment and concern for the well-being of all members of the Safe Passage educational community.”
Patty Barneond, Senior Director of Education and Director of the Hanley Denning Experimental School, says “Erin is a leader that believes in shared leadership and open dialogue to deeply understand and support the team and the community needs. She is committed to collaborating, inspiring, and motivating all of us at Safe Passage to achieve institutional goals and continue to serve this educational community with the best of our ability and passion.”
In commenting on her arrival, Erin shared:
“It is such an honor to step into the leadership of Safe Passage, and I am looking forward to partnering with the incredible local team that has been built over the last many years. I am here because I believe deeply in the leadership, dignity, and inherent strength of the students and families that we serve, and I will center and lift them at every turn. Safe Passage has an important history and incredible foundation, and in partnership with the Board and my new colleagues at the school, I look forward to continuing to strategically, intentionally, and lovingly deepen the impact we can have on our families. I am excited to work with each of you and so grateful for your support of our incredible work in Guatemala.”
The Board wants to extend its heartfelt thanks to the many members of the Safe Passage community who participated in and supported our search process, including administrators, faculty and staff, parents, and students. As reflects our commitment to inclusivity and a shared sense of purpose, our process allowed for the many voices to be heard and considered, and the outcome reflects our strength as a community: a leader who will lead with integrity and passion and who will connect personally with all the members of the Safe Passage family. Please join us in extending a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Erin Mooney!