A message from FAN Executive Director, Elise DeGooyer:

Spring has always been a time of opening to change for me, as I watch irises, rhubarb, and LOTS of green break through in my yard. So during this season, it is with mixed emotions that I want to let you know I have decided to leave my role at Faith Action Network at the end of June. After 10 years of committed service, I’m ready to grow into my next chapter of work, and I’m excited for FAN to welcome in a new Executive Director to guide its future. I will continue to provide leadership during these next months and then take some time to discern what’s next.

It has been the honor and privilege of my career to serve FAN these past 10 years. As a lifelong Washingtonian, it’s been exciting to be part of growing FAN into our statewide identity. What a joy it has been meeting with you in clusters, summits, events, vigils, marches, and conferences to hear the uniqueness and similarities of the issues facing our communities. There are so many possibilities to work on together in our partnership for the common good!

Together we’ve been part of shaping and advocating for some incredible policy change at the state level. I think of FAN’s role in making marriage equality a reality, ending the death penalty after decades of impasse, protecting the safety net for people who are hungry or lack housing, passing the capital gains tax to begin to fix our upside down tax system—and so much more! Every year has brought new challenges, and every time FAN has stood up boldly to those challenges with our faith communities and coalition partners. You continue to show me that committed, multi-faith advocates working together for justice is a force more powerful. I’ll have more to say about that before I leave, but for now I want to share my deep gratitude.

FAN has grown up on a strong foundation of our mission and multifaith values, and our current staff is highly motivated with a dedicated sense of teamwork. FAN’s Governing Board guides that mission and will work with a consultant during the transition time as they search for the next Executive Director—you can read more about that from our Board Chair, Carol Jensen, below. I hope you will join me in opening the doors wide for new leadership and springtime possibility for what might be ready to bloom next!

Message from Rev. Carol Jensen, Chair of the Faith Action Network Governing Board:

On behalf of the Governing Board of FAN, I first want to thank Elise for her incredible contribution to FAN over these past ten years, first as Co-Director with Paul Benz and then as Executive Director since January 1, 2022. Her leadership skills, graciousness, and wisdom have served FAN well as we have built our organization and lived into our multi-faith identity. She has given herself wholeheartedly to FAN’s work and has guided us through some challenging times. She will be greatly missed!

The FAN Board has already begun preparing for this transition to new executive leadership. To assist us in this important work we have hired leadership transition consultant Rose Waterstone who will be helping FAN identify what we are seeking in our next Executive Director and guiding us through the search and hiring process.  We hope to have a job description in early May. Please watch for that announcement and share it widely as we seek a deep pool of candidates.

We are also exploring interim leadership for the period between Elise’s departure and the arrival of a new Executive Director. FAN has a capable staff and a statewide network that is the heart of FAN, so our shared work will continue through this time of transition. FAN has had dedicated, strong leadership in our 13 years and our Board is committed to finding the best person we can to lead FAN into its next chapter.

If you have any questions, concerns, or input you want to share, please don’t hesitate to email me at revcjensen@gmail.com.

In hope,

Rev. Carol Jensen, FAN Governing Board Chair

More updates next week, but make sure you've taken a look at our thorough Legislative Recap, published last Friday, outlining bills you helped past and over $500million in budget investments we supported.  The Governor is busy signing bills and we plan to share more about the important outcomes of your advocacy!