Westside Baby Board Chair Beth Wright, announced via email that long time Executive Director Nancy Woodland is stepping down from the role that she has held for thirteen years.

Dear WestSide Baby Community,

I am writing today to share the bittersweet news that Nancy is stepping down as our Executive Director.  Though we will miss Nancy’s infectious energy and dynamic day-to-day leadership, we know that she won’t be far away and we can’t wait to see how her passion for basic needs advocacy will evolve.  Nancy will be formally stepping out of her Executive Director duties on December 31, 2019 and she has graciously agreed to continue as an advisor for a couple of months into the new year.  We plan to celebrate Nancy in early 2020 and we hope you’ll join us to thank her.

On behalf of the Board of Directors – Nancy – thank you for your thirteen years of service and your many successes at WestSide Baby as an advocate for children and families. It was an honor to work by your side, and we know WestSide Baby is the growing, strong organization it is today because of your leadership.

Many of us have had the privilege to work closely with Nancy, and the entire staff over the years on Board activities, volunteering in the warehouse and supporting many amazing WestSide Baby events. The Board knows wholeheartedly that WestSide Baby is well-positioned to move forward with a robust leadership team and an exceptionally talented staff.  Our staff’s dedication to the WestSide Baby mission inspires us beyond description.   

We are fortunate to be able to draw from our own team for a strong leader through this leadership transition.  We are delighted to announce that Sarah Cody Roth, WestSide Baby’s Deputy Director, will begin serving as Interim Executive Director on January 1, 2020 and for the duration of the search for our permanent Executive Director. The Board is actively strategizing and planning to ensure a smooth process and is confident in Sarah’s leadership after over 4 years of experience at WestSide Baby. You can read Sarah’s bio below.

While saying goodbye to Nancy will not be easy, we are thrilled for the change-making that you, our dedicated supporters, will be a part of as we enter our next chapter.  Thank you for creating this powerful community. Stay tuned for further developments and in the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to share feedback with me, you’re welcome to contact me at boardchair@westsidebaby.org.

With gratitude for your continued support of WestSide Baby,

Beth Wright, Board Chair

Nancy shared her thoughts in a letter to the community:

Dear Friend and Supporter of WestSide Baby,

I write to share news that, after thirteen incredible years, I am transitioning from my role as the Executive Director of WestSide Baby. I am deeply proud of our work to provide basic items to children and families throughout our community. This is the perfect moment for me to transition and make space for a new, dynamic leader to trust in this treasured, growing nonprofit. This is an exciting and also a difficult announcement to share.

This announcement is celebratory and tough. The celebration comes from knowing that WestSide Baby has made it through its adolescence and is primed and ready to launch into adulthood. The staff and Board are focused on continuing to fill basic needs gaps for our local children while also addressing systematic changes to the basic needs landscape in our community. We will always do the critical work of bringing in diapers, clothing, books and safety equipment and sending it back out, free of charge, to families who need it. We will always support our social service community who work tirelessly with families to address struggles. We always dedicate ourselves to supporting every child to become happy, healthy, resilient humans.

This announcement is also tough because my own family, and my own babies have grown up with WestSide Baby. My children have collected, counted and bundled diapers their entire lives and my husband has been by my side for every fundraising event. As a mother, the opportunity to let your capable children fly on their own is an amazing privilege. This transition away from a strong and healthy nonprofit, letting go into the hands of an incredibly talented staff and Board, is a privilege.

Your support, and the support of this community has contributed immensely to the important growth of WestSide Baby since its birth in 2001 and since the time I was lucky enough to take the helm in 2006. We have grown our contribution support by 2000% because each of you sees and supports the need for basic items for every child. With that support, we have increased service from 4,000 to 35,000 children in the western side of King County.

I am humbled you have entrusted me to lead the magic of WestSide Baby. The next steps are yours to envision a future where all children have their basic needs met. Guide our leadership. Share your vision for this community. Invest deeper in WestSide Baby. With a commitment to our values of Humanity, Intention and Resilience and the driving force of heart inside and surrounding WestSide Baby, I know the magic of WestSide Baby will continue strong and thriving.

In Gratitude,

Nancy Woodland