Leadership Transition Announcement

As summer ends, it feels like the best time to share big changes coming to Neighborhood Land Power Project. Since last fall, NLPP’s board and staff have been in a leadership succession-planning process to prepare for current Executive Director, Noelle Warford’s leave. After nine years with NLPP, Noelle will be officially transitioning out as of October 31. Noelle’s leadership with NLPP brought transformation to the organization. Noelle and NLPP staff began to envision and implement a mission rooted in just transition. NLPP’s work was not just focused upon food sovereignty; the work became about justice and movement-building with community. We have been inspired and motivated by Noelle’s leadership and are indebted to her vision in moving the work of NLPP into its current iteration. In her TRANSITION LETTER Noelle reflects on her time with us and her departure.

Given the nature of NLPP’s evolution into a community-based food sovereignty and land justice project, we entered succession planning with two questions: Is there a more sustainable leadership model for us to pursue? Do we have the organization’s next leadership internally?

After several months of digging into these questions through discussions, assessments, brainstorming and trial-periods among board and staff, we have landed at yes and...in part we have dedicated staff who are ready to take up leadership and we discovered that we want to move towards a co-leadership model. As we continue to explore what next, NLPP’s board of directors is in full support of crafting a co-directorship model and will work hand in hand with staff and others to set a new path forward.  

As our board and staff continue the process of solidifying an organizational structure that reflects our values and commitment to community-building, we are excited to announce that Rebecca Fruehwald will serve as NLPP’s Interim Director. Rebecca has been with NLPP for three years as the Communications & Land Sector Coordinator. In this role she has helped lead and support our repositioning and rebranding process, strategic communications, and NLPP’s citywide land justice work. Our long-time and newer board members look forward to both supporting Rebecca as she grows into this new role and shapes the organization in the years ahead alongside her colleagues and the community. Rebecca’s leadership instincts, pragmatism, and deep understanding of the work will serve the community, and the movement well.   

We are grateful for your support as we embrace courageous transformation. In efforts to remain rooted in community, we will continue to communicate updates and seek opportunities to cultivate amazing work together with you all.  
With appreciation,  
NLPP Board of Directors