Nearly two months after announcing the departure of its inaugural leader, Southwick House has selected the individual who will be taking over the reins of the organization for the future.
Sunday night, Southwick Board President Jeremy Dorsey announced via a news release that the organization has chosen Cara Codney to serve as its new executive director. Dorsey had previously told KVOE News that following the departure of Susan Brinkman earlier this year, the organization had focused much of its search efforts on local candidates, saying it was important to find someone who had several skills, but most of all a “lay of the land” and understanding of the local community.
He says Codney was a perfect choice in that regard.
Codney is currently a Development and Marketing Specialist with Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness, a role she took on roughly a year-and-a-half ago. Before her time with Crosswinds, Codney served as the Community Relations Coordinator for SOS Inc. following her time at Emporia State University.
Codney says she acquired specific skills from each of those roles that she believes will be critical to her and the organization’s success down the road.
Of Codney’s skills, specifically her focus in fundraising and marketing, Dorsey says these skills were and will be vitally important as the agency continues to grow and work towards its nearly $4 million fundraising goal for a new transitional housing facility at 115 East Logan.
Codney says the decision gave her some pause at first, but Southwick is a cause she identifies with and one she is looking forward to leading into the future.
Codney is expected to assume her new duties in mid to late March and is replacing Susan Brinkman, who announced her departure from the agency back in early January after leading Southwick since 2023. For more information on Southwick House, visit SouthwickHouse.org.
