For the past few months our Board, Staff, and several Past Presidents have been working hard to find the right candidate for IACP's Executive Director, and we are very pleased to inform you all that our new Executive Director, Michael C. Russell, CAE, MBA, began his role on Monday, January 3, 2022.
Michael joins us from Kansas City, KS, USA, and comes to us with a background in nonprofit management and extensive Executive Director experience. Michael has served as Executive Director for two 501(c)(3) membership organizations and has a membership and fundraising growth mindset. He also enjoys spending time with his daughter, Maeve, his spouse, Megan, and their dogs, Champ, and Beans. Michael is an Eagle Scout, an avid traveler, and sports enthusiast, especially KC Royals Baseball. His energy is infectious!
Speaking on his vision as IACP's Executive Director, Michael states, "on my first day at my first non-profit, I was told ‘all membership is local’ and I have never forgotten that mantra. We will direct necessary resources to ensure growth from the local levels, up, worldwide. I look forward to being part of IACP's long-standing journey to enhance this global and diverse profession.”
Reflecting on the unique position of IACP and its community, Michael recognizes "there is tremendous potential for the Collaborative profession to elevate itself through global expansion, technology, and innovation, particularly in the areas of presentation and technology, to tackle risks head-on, and for us to inspire the next generation of Collaborative Professionals. We will passionately emphasize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our daily operations."
The hiring process was thoughtful, and we are very grateful to our hiring committee who kept IACP members, staff, and board in mind when selecting our new Executive Director. Our Hiring Committee is confident that Michael's innovative mindset, ambition, and commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion will propel IACP's mission as we continue to serve as a central and accessible resource for existing Collaborative Professionals, while also reaching new communities of families and professionals around the world!
We are extremely grateful to Anne Tamar-Mattis for serving as a strong and sincere Executive Director these past few years, guiding us through change, important conversations, and remaining a resilient leader to us all and we wish her well in her future endeavors. Michael, the Board, and Staff are fortunate to have ATM serve as a consultant for the first few months to ensure this transition is done as seamlessly as the hiring process.
With gratitude,
The IACP Team