*NOTE TO REPORTERS/EDITORS: GLIDE Foundation is the correct name for the organization at 330 Ellis Street that organizes and provides the Daily Free Meals and other social services and social justice programs. The church, historically called Glide Memorial Church, is one of several programs operated by the GLIDE Foundation. When referring to GLIDE social services and programs, please use the correct name, GLIDE Foundation, or simply GLIDE, rather than the historical name of the church.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2022
CONTACT:
Gabby Deyi
etozer@glide.org
GLIDE President and CEO Karen Hanrahan to Step Down after Successful Tenure of Expanding GLIDE’s Reach and Deepening Its Impact
SAN FRANCISCO – GLIDE Foundation, San Francisco’s nationally recognized center for social justice, today announced the resignation of long-time President & CEO Karen Hanrahan. Hanrahan was recruited to the role in 2017, bringing 25 years of expertise in global social innovation, advancing human rights and building high-impact global initiatives around the world. GLIDE Board member Malcolm Walter will serve as Interim CEO. In January 2023, GLIDE will have the opportunity to celebrate her leadership and achievements.
While at GLIDE, Hanrahan guided the iconic institution through some of the most significant changes and challenges in GLIDE’s history, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to independence from the United Methodist Church. Hanrahan brought the vision and architecture for GLIDE’s next generation and set it on a course for long-term sustainability and impact. Under Hanrahan’s leadership, GLIDE launched its Center for Social Justice to drive systems change, began evolving GLIDE’s services model and expanded GLIDE’s mobile services to provide support to the most vulnerable throughout San Francisco. Leveraging GLIDE’s 60-year legacy in San Francisco, Hanrahan has made an indelible mark that positions it for long-term success.
“After five and a half years and an incredible journey, I have decided to pass the baton,” said Hanrahan. “GLIDE and its legacy are so much bigger than any one CEO and it has been a true honor and privilege to lead GLIDE during such a critical time in its history. Together, we have faced and stepped up in a time of unprecedented challenge, and I could not have asked for a better team to get us through those times. GLIDE has achieved so much over the past five years, and is on the precipice of achieving so much more that we have built together. I can’t wait to see these aspirations, and many more, realized.”
GLIDE will initiate a search to find an effective leader who can build on the work of Hanrahan and work with the entire GLIDE staff and community to advance GLIDE’s mission and vision. Malcolm Walter, a long-time GLIDE Board Member, and retired COO and CFO of leading organizations, including Bentley Systems, will step in as interim CEO and launch a search for a new CEO.
“Karen has guarded GLIDE’s legacy as a movement for the people, a beacon of hope and love for everyone, no matter what,” said GLIDE Founder and Pastor Emeritus Cecil Williams. “She has always been the right leader for GLIDE. Even while she was fighting battles and charting our course to new times, she never lost sight of our mission of a radially inclusive, just and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break cycles of poverty and marginalization. Her impact and love for GLIDE will be felt for decades to come as GLIDE keeps on changing and moving to serve the most vulnerable among us.”
“We are eternally grateful for Karen’s unwavering dedication to GLIDE’s mission,” said Kaye Foster, chair of GLIDE Board of Directors. “Karen’s leadership has proven invaluable over these challenging years in both setting GLIDE on a path of impact and sustainability and in leading us through some truly existential crises. Karen was the visionary and architect of GLIDE’s strategic plan and leaves the organization in a strong place to continue expanding our work on behalf of the community. Karen was rooted in GLIDE’s mission and values, and it is these shared values that allow us to continually evolve and build on each leader’s contributions to meet the needs of those most vulnerable among us.”
“Throughout unprecedented challenges and opportunities, Karen has expertly steered GLIDE with a commitment to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives,” said interim CEO Malcolm Walter. “Karen has led GLIDE to define new levels of impact, effectively resolve the relationship with the Methodist Church, strengthen the Center of Social Justice, develop GLIDE’s 5-year strategic plan, and guide the organization through GLIDE’s extraordinary response to COVID-19 over the past two-and-a half years. These are big shoes to fill and, thankfully, GLIDE is rooted in long-term change. Together, we will continue to build on the progress Karen has made to serve the beloved community.”
About GLIDE:
For nearly six decades spanning political, economic and cultural changes, GLIDE has served as a social justice movement, social service provider and spiritual community dedicated to strengthening communities and transforming lives. GLIDE is a nationally-recognized center for equity, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through our integrated services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, we empower individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and thrive. GLIDE is on the forefront of addressing some of society’s most pressing issues, including poverty, housing and homelessness, and racial and social justice.
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