Dear John,

I am honored to announce that after seven years as executive director and more than 16 years on staff at Grassroots Leadership, I will transition out of my role in early 2020. I’m humbled and excited to support the organization as it embarks on its next chapter and undertakes a leadership transition process. 

The first step in this transition will begin October 1st as I take a long-planned, three-month sabbatical. I’m thrilled to share that Annette Price and Claudia Muñoz will be stepping into the roles of Acting Co-Directors during this time. We have engaged the consulting firm NPAG to guide our organizational process and I will continue on staff to support the transition to permanent new leadership through the spring of 2020.

Read the full letter from Bob announcing the leadership transition at Grassroots Leadership.

I am deeply proud of the organization that Grassroots Leadership’s staff, board, volunteers, members, and supporters have built together. Together, we’ve grown into one of the nation’s leading groups fighting criminalization at the intersection of mass incarceration and deportation. 

We’ve transformed into a nationally impactful organization that is building power in impacted communities, and we’re fighting and winning changes on the front lines in Texas — one of the most important places in the country to do this work. I also take pride in our commitment to center and build the leadership of people who have been impacted by mass incarceration and immigration detention to make the changes these systems need.

I will continue to be the biggest supporter of Grassroots Leadership’s powerful and impactful work, and your continued support is critical. In the weeks and months to come, our board — led by Darwin Hamilton and Barbara Hines — and staff will share exciting updates about the transition. We invite you to join us as we grow into our next chapter.

In appreciation and solidarity,