Community Action, Inc. is pleased to announce Cecilia Dever will lead the agency as its next Executive Director. Dever currently serves as Community Action’s Deputy Director, a position she has held since January. The agency’s Board of Directors unanimously agreed in a recent closed session that Dever is the right candidate for the Executive Director position.
“Cecilia Dever has demonstrated strong leadership skills over the past year as Deputy Director, and she has a true passion for working with families to create pathways out of poverty,” says Jennifer Wood, chairwoman of the board. “The Board of Directors is confident that Cecilia will also do a great job of leading Community Action, Inc. and we look forward to working with her in her new capacity.”
Prior to her work at Community Action, Dever worked for 11 years overseeing operations and human resources at Rock Walworth Comprehensive Family Services (otherwise known as Head Start & Early Head Start). Before she joined Head Start, Dever worked for the Stateline Boys and Girls Club as Center Director for three years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a certificate in Nonprofit Management.
“I have committed the past 14 years of my career encouraging, supporting and developing strong programming for those in need,” says Dever. “I believe that by providing high quality programs and services that meet the current needs of those in poverty, and through aggressive community collaboration, individuals will have the ability to provide for themselves and their families. I am very proud of and committed to the partnerships and collaborations that Community Action has established. I am dedicated to maintaining and strengthening these relationships throughout Rock and Walworth Counties. I feel that with the proper supports in place, every individual has the power to succeed!”
Lisa Furseth has served as Community Action’s Executive Director for the past 12 years, and will be pursuing the next phase of her career. She is working closely with Dever through this transition, with Dever taking on the Executive Director role January 1, 2015.