Executive Careers

New CEOs:

AAJA selects new executive director

   The Asian American Journalists Association selected Ellen Endo as its new executive director. Endo succeeds Rene Astudillo who left the organization in early September. 

   Endo has worked as the chief operating officer of Go For Broke National Education Center, a nonprofit in Torrance, Calif. focused on Japanese Americans and educating the public about World War II soldiers of Japanese ancestry. Previously, she spent 24 years in senior leadership positions in the television industry. She helped develop ABC network’s Emmy-award winning mini-series, Separate but Equal, about desegregation in schools. She also helped create Golden Globe-winner, One Against the Wind, a drama about World War II. 

    Endo has also worked as executive vice president of Republic Pictures Productions, senior vice president of MGM/UA Television and vice president of Embassy Communications. Endo’s print journalism experience includes serving as managing editor of The Rafu Shimpo, a Japanese daily news service based in Los Angeles. She received a degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She currently serves on the USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association board of directors and is president of the Little Tokyo Business Association, in L.A. 

Presidents’ group selects new director

George Weathersby took office as leader of the YPOWPO (Young Presidents’ Organization-World Presidents’ Organization) in mid- November. 

As CEO, Weathersby brings 25 years of corporate and academic experience to his new role at the organization that fosters leadership skills and provides learning opportunities for individuals. Weathersby was most recently chairman and CEO of Genesys Solutions, a global consultancy for CEOs in organizational execution of strategic plans and business initiatives. 

Previously, he worked as commissioner of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and served on the faculty of Harvard University and the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. He was also president and CEO of the American Management Association.  

Marketing group taps AMC manager 

Kristen L. Smith joined the Chicago-based Word of Mouth Marketing Association as its executive director Nov. 5 from association management firm SmithBucklin. 

She succeeded previous Executive Director Andy Sernovitz, who left the organization in March 2007 and is currently CEO of GasPedal, a consulting firm. Max Moses led the $1.5 million trade association in the interim. 

At SmithBucklin, Smith worked as an association executive for professional societies, including the American Society of Hand Therapists and the National Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers. She also led the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Special Care Dentistry Association. Additionally, she has consultancy experience, working to design strategic plans for a variety of organizations. 

At WOMMA, Smith said she will work to educate companies on the potential of word of mouth marketing as an industry, which includes blogging and marketing on social media Internet sites. Internally, Smith said the group will strive to attract and retain members through enhanced programming. 

“It’s a very entrepreneurial organization. It’s only been in existence for the last four years,” Smith explained. WOMMA was created in 2004 to promote the emerging field. It collaborates with the American Marketing Association and Smith predicts the group will enter into future partnerships. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Ind..

Searches under way:

Association of Neighborhood & Housing Development
New York, NY 
Search under way for Executive Director of this 100 member, $1M, 12  person staff, advocacy organization for community-based housing groups.  Seek individual to report to the board of directors; implement the mission; and manage the day-to-day operations. A complete position description is available at http://www.anhd.org. Need a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s  preferred); five years experience in affordable housing in some combination of development, organizing, technical assistance delivery, or policy  research; fundraising experience; advocacy experience; understanding of  projects and programs; ability to engage in effective coalition-building;  strong leadership skills; and strong oral and written communication skills. To $95k comp range. Applicants should review the full job description at www.anhd.org/popup.html Submit cover letter, resume and writing  sample to search@anhd.org.

Friends of the Earth-US 
Washington, DC 
Search under way for President of this progressive, activist organization.  Seek individual to lead the organization. Friends of the Earth is looking for  a visionary and passionate leader with a strong commitment to social and  economic justice and environmental activism. Beyond providing internal  organizational leadership, the President will represent the organization externally, expanding the reach and influence of Friends of the Earth with  critical Congressional, public, private and philanthropic leaders, as well as  with the public at large and the media. The President, working with a diverse Board and staff will have the opportunity to lead in the development  of Friends of the Earth’s groundbreaking campaigns and initiatives across  the U.S. and with its unique set of international partners. Possessing an interest and the experience to work with a Board of Directors in setting  key organizational, financial and strategic policy and campaign activities.  Demonstrated experience working with the national and regional media  and an interest to utilize new Web 2.0 and social networking resources to  reach a new generation of activists. Search by Daniel Sherman, President, at Explore Company Marked attn: resumes@explorecompany.com attn:  Friends of the Earth economic justice and environmental activism. Beyond providing internal organizational leadership, the President will represent the organization externally, expanding the reach and influence of Friends of the Earth with  critical Congressional, public, private and philanthropic leaders, as well as  with the public at large and the media. The President, working with a diverse Board and staff will have the opportunity to lead in the development  of Friends of the Earth’s groundbreaking campaigns and initiatives across  the U.S. and with its unique set of international partners. Possessing an  interest and the experience to work with a Board of Directors in setting  key organizational, financial and strategic policy and campaign activities.  Demonstrated experience working with the national and regional media  and an interest to utilize new Web 2.0 and social networking resources to  reach a new generation of activists. Search by Daniel Sherman, President, at Explore Company Marked attn: resumes@explorecompany.com attn:  Friends of the Earth

Interest on Lawyer Account
Boston, MA 
The Executive Director is responsible for the implementation of policy  and programmatic decisions of the Board of Trustees. Organizes, directs, coordinates and implements all programs of the Fund. Seeks to expand funding for the core missions of the IOLA Fund, oversees a dynamic,  high-performing portfolio of grantees; assures that all grants are used effectively and efficiently to provide high quality legal assistance; operates  all programs of the Fund in accordance with the underlying statutory and  regulatory authority and assures that the administrative infrastructure of  the Fund is sufficient to carry out Fund activities within the constraints of  approved annual administrative budgets. Experience managing multiple  projects with competing timelines and priorities simultaneously. Experience with database management and Microsoft Office software. Advanced  degree required in Law, Business Administration or Public Policy Application Individuals qualified for this position may send a focused letter  of application indicating how their background, qualifications, skills and  interest will further the work of the IOLA Fund, resume and the names of five references (including contact information with email references).  The Management Information Exchange, a national non-profit consulting firm which works closely with legal aid organizations, is assisting the IOLA Fund in this process, therefore send all materials in electronic Word  format to ppap@m-i-e.org to the attention of Patricia Pap, Executive Director. Although applications will be welcomed until the position is filled, applicants are strongly urged to submit their application and materials before January 15, 2009.

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