Executive Director Abby Anderson to Step Down After 16 Years with CTJJA
Friends,
Abby Anderson, CTJJA outgoing Executive Director
There are exciting transitions underway at the Alliance. For those who’ve followed our work, you know CTJJA has undergone many significant and necessary evolutions since our founding nearly 20 years ago -- of those changes none have been more important than our transition to a youth/adult partnership. Ensuring those most impacted by the justice systems are fully integrated into the work and leadership of our organization is the best and most important work we’ve done to date. I couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve built - our staff, Steering Committee and Justice Advisors - because of them, CTJJA has never been stronger than it is today. That’s why I feel confident in announcing the next transition of our organization, and it’s one of leadership.
As of January 1, 2021, I will be stepping aside and our Deputy Director, Christina Quaranta will be taking on the role of CTJJA’s next Executive Director.
Many of you already know Christina and her fierce commitment to improving the lives of young people and system-impacted youth in Connecticut. Christina is ready and eager to face the challenges and opportunities this moment in time presents. Because I know I am leaving the Alliance in her capable hands, I am excited to take the next steps in my journey. To ensure a smooth transition I will remain at the Alliance in a supportive capacity until February 1, 2021. When February comes, the first thing I will do is take a long winter’s nap. When I wake up, I plan to keep fighting the social and racial justice fight, just in new ways (currently under exploration).
It has been an honor and immense privilege to serve this organization for the past 16 years. We’ve had tremendous victories, heart-breaking losses, more times of struggle than I can recall, and many shared joys. Of those joys, my favorite thing about this work has been and always will be the people - all of you - with whom I have built relationships based on shared values and a belief that things need to and can be better. Celebrating wins with you made them sweeter. Crying on your shoulders made the losses easier to bear.
Between now and February - while we plot and plan to push Connecticut towards a state without any youth under 18 in prison-like environments, where we fight for investments locally and statewide so that Black and brown children can grow in opportunity-filled communities like the ones their white peers enjoy, and where those closest to the problem are supported in leadership since they are closest to the solution - we will also be intentionally transitioning what our leadership looks like. You’ll see me out front less and less. You’ll see the rest of the team more and more. That’s how it should be.
I don’t know how or if I can ever express my gratitude for the community I’ve experienced over the past 16 years. I’ve learned things and grown in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve had experiences I’ll never forget.
Thank you all.
Abby
Click here for a downloadable version of this announcement.
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To begin this transition, join CTJJA on September 30, 2020 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm for Passing the Torch: A Fireside Chat with Abby Anderson and Christina Quaranta. Abby and Christina will engage in a virtual conversation and Q&A to discuss the work and future of the Alliance. We hope you’ll join us for this conversation.