The Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association has named Derek Birnie as its new executive director.

Birnie has 18 years of experience in community organizing and nonprofit leadership, including work in community empowerment, organizing and outreach.

"What an honor and a privilege to work with the dynamic community that is DNDA," said Birnie. "In my first days here, I've been humbled and inspired by the passionate commitment to the principles of community empowerment and sustainability shared by the board, staff, partners, and community of supporters."

Looking at the challenges, Birnie said large-scale changes in the local and regional economy, the housing market in particular, are making it difficult for Delridge residents to afford to live here.

"Those changes also pose significant challenges to the work of developing affordable housing and community facilities, which has been a large part of DNDA's program," he said. "These challenges will call on us to deepen our legacy of community engagement and aggressively seek creative solutions in order to fulfill our mission."

Founding Executive Director Paul Fischburg announced his departure last year after serving the organization for more than 10 years.

"As you might imagine, these 10 years of creating and growing DNDA have been tremendously rewarding as have the projects and relationships that have surrounded that work," Fischburg said. "At the same time, it has become clear to me that I'm personally and professionally ready for new directions. I plan to take some time off to slow down and explore what's next for me."

In April, the Delridge community honored Fischburg at an April banquet and fundraiser attended by 200 community supporters.

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association retained strategic consultant Jan Glick & Associates to conduct an organizational and situational assessment and an extensive executive search.

"Derek's history of building community through organizing for social change and his clear articulation of a positive vision for continuing the work of DNDA made us confident that we found the right person for the job," said Steve Daschle, head of the search committee and executive director of Southwest Youth and Family Services.

Birnie started his term as executive director on April 23. Fischburg left on May 4.

Birnie lives in West Seattle, with his wife Suzanne and his twin sons Silas and Gabriel. He is currently a participant in the Executive Masters Program at the Dan Evans School for Public Affairs at the University of Washington. His 18 year career in community organizing and nonprofit leadership has included service as canvass director for Washington Citizen Action, executive director for Montana People's Action, director of development and communication for the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations, and Outreach Director for Cascade Land Conservancy.

5411 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 206-923-0917 (p) 206-923-0920 (f) http://www.dnda.org