Emporia’s Southwick House is seeking a new leader, with current Executive Director Susan Brinkman set to take on a new position starting next month.
In a news release Monday, Brinkman announced her departure from the local non-profit at the end of January as she prepares to take on the role of Kansas City Development Coach for the Kansas Methodist Foundation. Brinkman, who was named the inaugural director of Southwick in 2023, says this is a bittersweet decision, but an exciting opportunity.
The search for Brinkman’s replacement is already underway as she tells KVOE News the Southwick Board of Directors formed a search committee and has developed a job description for the role. Southwick Board President Jeremy Dorsey says there are no plans at this time to name an interim director, saying Brinkman will continue to carry out her duties until her end date.
After that, he says the board of directors will collectively handle day-to-day duties until a new director is selected. On that note, Dorsey says he anticipates the search will be “brisk” but comprehensive.
Brinkman’s upcoming exit from the position comes with Southwick in the midst of its capital campaign for the construction of a new 9,000 square foot transitional housing facility for women and families. KVOE News asked Brinkman if she was concerned her departure could hinder progress of the campaign, to which she stated she was not, noting they are roughly just $600,000 away from their $3.6 million goal.
Dorsey says he believes that without Brinkman, Southwick, operationally, would not be even close to where it is today, saying she was the right choice at the right time.
Brinkman says her departure from Southwick will not mean an immediate departure from Emporia for her and her husband, Jason Brinkman, as the two plan to gradually transition from Emporia to the Kansas City area over the course of the year. Brinkman says, “you don’t just leave overnight after 35 years” in a community, noting they still have vested interests in the community, including the Bourbon Cowboy, which they put up for sale last year.
Brinkman tells KVOE News that she will “never close the business,” and they plan to continue operating until they can locate “exactly the right new owner” for the establishment.
For those interested in applying for the executive director role, applications can be submitted through the Southwick website, Southwickhouse.org. Dorsey says applications will be due by the end of January.
