Announcement: Introducing a New Shared Leadership Model at KidLinks

Published by Leigh Trevino on: Dec 16, 2022 — General

The impact KidLinks has made over the past 40 years has been remarkable and I am thrilled to announce the deployment of a new shared leadership structure to lead us into the next 40 years. While this is not a new model for nonprofits, after careful consideration amongst board members and key KidLinks staff, we’ve decided to split Executive Directorship responsibilities into two Co-Executive Director roles. With the dedicated team and a generous community of donors, volunteers, partner organizations, and supporters, the new co-leadership structure will allow KidLinks to be more creative, effective, and thoughtful in how we engage in our crucial work of providing therapeutic music resources and access for families who need it most. This is quite the departure from how we’ve managed the organization in the past but I’m confident not only in this new structure, but in the two professionals who we’ve appointed in the leadership roles. We are excited to announce Courtney Kraft as our Co-Executive Director (Development) and Leigh Trevino as our Co-Executive Director (Programs)!

Prior to joining KidLinks as the Co-Executive Director (Development), Courtney served as an Advisory Board Member for KidLinks and as a Director, Special Events for Scottish Rite for Children. She has over 20 years experience working with various nonprofits from the American Cancer Society in Florida and as the Development Director for the LightHouse for New Hope Grief and Loss Center. She brings great strength and knowledge in building donor relationships, identifying volunteer superpowers, and raising public awareness to pursue an organization’s strategic goals. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of a special organization that is committed to helping children through therapeutic music and media. I look forward to working with the extremely talented team, volunteers, and the many friends and partners that support the mission of KidLinks.”

Leigh joined KidLinks in 2019 as the Director of Programs and has been overseeing the therapeutic music entertainment, music therapy, and social-emotional skills programs. Prior to KidLinks, she has spent most of her career in the arts nonprofit sector, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in program management, communications, fundraising, and community engagement. She's worked with the California Institute of the Arts and San Francisco Children's Art Center to strengthen and expand the reach of arts programming to underserved communities and has also served as a Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “Since I started with KidLinks, it’s been a journey full of learning and advocating the healing benefits of music for children with special needs. I’ve had the joy of working alongside some amazing individuals and a dynamite team. I’m thrilled to have played a part in the recent shift towards a shared leadership model and look forward to establishing an inclusive and collaborative culture, internal equity, and a more collective organizational voice. In turn, creating space for more therapeutic music and subsidized music therapy access for kids and families in our local communities and beyond.”

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support KidLinks, and please join me in welcoming Courtney & Leigh in their new roles!

Adam Hall

Board President & Chair

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