It’s hard to believe that this will be PathLight’s tenth year. It was 2006 when Mark and Adrienne Parcher partnered with D’Aun and me to begin this wonderful journey. Joined by my assistant, Anne Stoneberger, we started a nonprofit and got to work. We had no idea we were launching a ministry that could impact an entire nation!
It started with the humble desire to serve. We were not sure in what capacity to serve, but we clearly felt God’s calling on our hearts. In time we saw the opportunity to impact the education system in Belize through personalized programs like Sponsorship+, neighborhood programs like Community Partners, and specialized programs like Teacher Training.
All five of us remain very involved as board members, donors, volunteers, advocates, etc. To us, PathLight is a lifelong mission of service, learning, and faith journey.
Naturally our roles will evolve as PathLight evolves, and I want to update you on the exciting change in my role at PathLight.
For ten years I have been President/CEO of the organization. It started as a part-time role I could fit into my schedule because it only took about ten hours a week. But then it grew to fifteen, then twenty, then thirty, and at times felt like a full-time job!
That’s not sustainable because I have a “real job” with Goble Properties, not to mention many other endeavors like supporting D’Aun with her olive oil business and serving on multiple boards. Oh, and writing a book!
Although I am not nearing burnout, I can certainly foresee it happening if I’m not careful. Plus PathLight has grown to need a leader who is focused full time on the organization. The part-time effort I give isn’t going to be enough in the next decade.
After much prayer and conversation, it felt like now was the time to make the change. The PathLight Board unanimously agreed and generously gave me the time to work through a transition. The timing was especially good because we have an amazing Chief Operating Officer who would be a great CEO.
Roger Dermody became the PathLight Chief Operation Officer about a year ago. He has a proven record of success in ministry, both at Bel Air Presbyterian Church and as director of a large denomination’s missions program. Plus he has a long history of volunteering with us in Belize: he was on the original design team for Jaguar Creek in the mid-90’s . For the past year we have seen his work at PathLight achieve amazing things. He is eager to take on the expanded challenge of being CEO.
Having Roger step into the role as CEO gives me the margin to continue doing what I do best: telling the PathLight stories and being an advocate for PathLight’s unique mission of inspiring hope through the power of a vibrant faith and dynamic learning environment. I will continue as Chair of the Board of Directors, and will be in weekly conversations with Roger about ongoing operations. I’m not going anywhere – just applying my skills where I can be most effective!
Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts. As always, I’d love to hear from you and value your insights.
