In my initial months at Barr, one of the areas I have been exploring with my colleagues has been how to organize our work in ways that most effectively and efficiently advance our mission of service. Toward that end I am announcing the following staff changes taking effect this month:
- I have asked Kerri Hurley, Barr’s longtime grants manager, to assume greater strategic responsibility and leadership for our grants management function at Barr in the newly-created role of director of grants management. To enhance our work and capacity in this vital area we are also adding a position of grants management associate. I am pleased that Christi Tritton, who has served as a program assistant for the past two and a half years, will assume this new role.
- We have created the position of director of operations and I am delighted that Ify Mora, who has served ably as chief of staff for several years, will take on this leadership role. In her new role, Ify will assume lead responsibility for the effective operations of the Foundation. This includes taking a fresh look at our existing policies and procedures with an eye toward streamlining simplifying and striving towards continuous improvement in how we operate.
- In the past Barr has depended upon a small group of program assistants to support multiple functions across the Foundation. As we prepare for growth and expansion, each core program area at the Foundation will have a dedicated program assistant to more effectively support each team and their many external partners. Accordingly Lauren Woody will now focus on Arts & Culture and Emily Sidla will be dedicated to the Global program. We are also initiating a search at this time for a new program assistant in Climate, and we will initiate a search this fall for a program assistant in Education.
- Finally, in order to support a range of critical projects across the Foundation, we have hired a manager of special projects, reporting to me. I am delighted to announce the appointment of Trevor Pollack to this role. Trevor currently serves as associate director for institutional giving at the Handel and Haydn Society and will join the Barr team in mid-August.
This reorganization of people and functions is principally intended to ensure we are structured in ways that enable us to serve our partners well and as effectively as possible. I will continue using this space to communicate about additional changes when appropriate and appreciate your ongoing interest in the work of the Barr Foundation.
