Executive leadership transition

Good afternoon members and partners of Violence Free Colorado,

It is with a profound mix of sadness and gratitude that we are writing to inform you that Monica Rivera has given her resignation as Executive Director of Violence Free Colorado. Monica will stay in the role until mid-January, when she will take a position responsible for prevention education at the national level.

We first want to extend gratitude to Monica for her remarkable contributions to Violence Free Colorado through her time as ED, her dedication to staff and building a healthy internal culture, and her positive work alongside the board. While we had envisioned a multi-year tenure for Monica, we understand that at times life presents unique opportunities that, if taken, may cause temporary pain but ultimately lead to growth.

The board is united in our belief that Violence Free Colorado is a uniquely important organization in our state with many strengths on which to build, not the least of which are staff members devoted to their hard work and incredible member organizations who consistently support survivors and work to prevent all forms of relationship violence.

The Board will continue meeting regularly, receiving close consultation from the team at NNEDV. In the coming weeks, we aim to provide additional information regarding Violence Free Colorado’s next steps for executive leadership. We will take special care to ensure staff are provided the needed support and stability to maintain Violence Free Colorado’s important work while the board takes on our existing priorities of rebuilding board membership, shoring up governance structures, and hiring the next executive leadership for Violence Free Colorado. We appreciate the extended weeks Monica will be with us to ensure a smooth transition.

We believe this transition, while certainly unanticipated, will not deter us from helping Violence Free Colorado regain the health you deserve to see as members and partners.  Should you have questions about this transition, please do reach out to us directly. You can find contact information after Monica’s letter below.

We hope that each of our member organizations, their teams, and our numerous supporters will find peace and hope in this season.

Sincere thanks to each of you,

Adam Evans & Nicole Castillo, Board of Directors Co-Chairs

Hello to members, constituents, and trusted partners of Violence Free Colorado,

I regret to announce that I am resigning my position as Executive Director, effective in mid-January. While I am leaving much sooner than anticipated, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside incredible partners at the community, state, and national levels. The work you all do is critical, and I am authentically honored to have been a part of it, even for a brief time.

Despite my short tenure with the organization, my time here has provided the opportunity to witness firsthand the dedication and commitment of the staff at Violence Free Colorado. They are an incredible group of professionals who continue to do solid work, even while experiencing nearly constant transitions over the past few years. While I regret that my departure will undoubtedly contribute to this pattern, I am confident that the organization is in good hands with the team that remains here.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me as I worked to transition into the coalition. I am hopeful that our members and other external constituents will offer the current staff patience and support as they work to weather another round of transition. Over the next month, I will be working closely with the board and staff to determine next steps. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and continued investment in Violence Free Colorado.

With gratitude,

m.