Call To Action Announces Transition In Leadership
On May 26, outgoing Executive Director Donna Tarney announced her departure from Call To Action. The Vision Council released a statement announcing Lauren Barbato as the permanent executive director of CTA. Read Donna’s letter and the Vision Council statement.
A Message from Donna Tarney
Dear CTA Community,
Earlier this month, I received a phone call from a friend with an unexpected job offer. After prayerful consideration and conversation with my family, I accepted the offer. Starting in June, I will step into a new role at the Anne Frank Center in South Carolina to help youth and adults grapple with the effects of bias and prejudice in their lives and our country. This means I will be leaving my executive director position at Call To Action.
The past six months with Call To Action have been some of the most impactful months of my recent life, thanks to the wonderful people who graced me with their knowledge, wisdom, and guidance. Staff, Vision Council members, Community Leaders, CTA donors, members, past leaders, and partners opened their hearts and shared their stories with me. As I listened, I discovered a vibrant church community whose lives are testimony to the beauty of authentic Catholicism in action. Through conversation and questioning, I developed a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the ways in which the CTA community not only achieved significant reforms in the past but inspired countless others to step up and act for justice in their parishes and beyond.
CTA staff, Community Leaders, and working groups brought my hopes and dreams to life in the form of virtual speakers, programs, and a virtual Lenten retreat. They brainstormed, created agendas, and facilitated some remarkable educational experiences. Every speaker suggested concrete steps participants could take to act for justice in their communities.
To help CTA increase the involvement of young adults, we revised the Re/Generation Program to include a focus on leadership that asks Re/Generators to dedicate six months to CTA in a leadership role. When I look to the future and imagine how this will bring new life to the organization, I just smile.
As with anything new, there were challenges, both expected and unexpected. Each one brought me into contact with people who selflessly shared their talents, got to work, and resolved any issue in the most equitable way possible. Several of the issues required research, collaboration, and persistence before they could be completed. I appreciated the intentional time taken to consider multiple options and various perspectives before coming to a solution or decision. I also discovered things about myself during that process for which I am grateful.
I believe that God brought me to CTA and now God is asking me to step away. I will continue to support CTA and look forward to watching it grow over the coming years.
With Grace,
Donna Tarney
A Message from the Vision Council
We extend our gratitude to Donna for her service and commitment to Call To Action. We thank Donna for her leadership over the last six months and wish her the best in her future role with the Anne Frank Center.
The Vision Council is pleased to announce that Lauren Barbato will fill the role of executive director. In coming to this decision, we considered the recommendations of the executive director search committee. During our most recent search, the committee identified Lauren as a strong candidate. Lauren led CTA last year as interim executive director and has continued to demonstrate graceful, skillful leadership in her service to CTA. The Vision Council fully endorses the committee’s recommendation.
We appreciate both Donna and Lauren as well as staff members Revalon and Tamar for their graciousness during this transition period. We know that CTA and its future are in capable hands.
We’re excited about this next chapter of CTA.
In solidarity,
The Vision Council
