Mary Le Nguyen named to serve as director of Washington CAN

The following is from Washington CAN:

SEATTLE (Dec. 1, 2015) — Washington Community Action Network (CAN) announced last week the appointment of Mary Le Nguyen as the new executive director. Nguyen will take over leadership effective Monday, Dec. 7.

Nguyen brings nearly a decade of experience in community organizing. She spent the last six years building strategic partnerships while working in the labor movement, and has led racial, gender, and economic justice campaigns. Nguyen currently serves as board president for the Vietnamese Friendship Association.

“I’m excited to join this movement-building organization,” said Nguyen. “I look forward to building power with working people and advancing justice across all our communities.”

Nguyen will be joined in the executive director position as William Daley’s counterpart. Each will serve as co-executive director of Washington CAN.  William Daley has acted as interim executive director since the departure of Will Pittz, who left the executive director role over the summer.

“It’s been my pleasure to take over the helm for a short time at Washington CAN,” said Daley. “I’m looking forward to transitioning to a new role and sharing my duties with Mary. Her experience puts us in a great position to continue the vital work we do.”

“Bill has played an integral role as the interim executive director for the past three months,” said Washington CAN Board President Deana Knutsen, who spearheaded the search for Washington CAN’s new leadership. “We are thrilled to bring Mary on to be his co-executive director. These two together will help shape the future of Washington CAN.”

Washington CAN also promoted Chris Genese to organizing director from his former role as Seattle campaigns director. Genese will oversee the team of organizers that mobilize the community in campaigns to align with Washington CAN’s mission of fighting for racial, social and economic justice.

Gerald Hankerson will leave his role as executive director of the Main Street Alliance of Washington to fill Washington CAN’s newly-created director of policy and development position.

With more than 44,000 members, Washington Community Action Network is the state’s largest grassroots community organization. Together we work to achieve racial, social, and economic justice in our state and nation. Our strength as an organization depends on our members’ involvement. We believe that we can only achieve our goals when people take action for justice.