Karen Says Goodbye as Executive Director, Hello as Board Member and Volunteer
June 25, 2023
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To the Youth, Coaches, Staff, Families, Supporters and Friends of PeacePlayers,
I am filled with emotion in announcing that I have decided to transition from my role as Executive Director after 17 years of incredibly meaningful service, moving to a significant role on the Board of Directors.
When I joined PeacePlayers in 2006, l left the prospect of an academic career to join a group of young basketball players. They had a crazy vision to heal the world using the game they love. I was excited for the opportunity to be involved in something with the potential to create positive change – giving Palestinian and Israeli young people in Israel and the West Bank a chance to come together across a seemingly insurmountable divide to play ball. But I NEVER could have imagined the degree to which we would impact thousands of young people.
In 2019, I had the honor of taking on the role of Global Executive Director, an experience that further fulfilled me both professionally and personally. We succeeded in creating connections between sites and creating a more collaborative infrastructure that leverages the skills and experiences of our international sites. I know that PeacePlayers plays a significant role in the lives of so many of you. I couldn’t be prouder of the impact we have made and continue to make.
While working for PeacePlayers has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, I have decided that it is time for me to move on to new opportunities and challenges. I remain a member of the PeacePlayers family for life and plan to remain an active member of the board, a volunteer and a friend.
Looking back on my time at PeacePlayers, I am filled with gratitude for the amazing experiences and opportunities that I have had. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most passionate and dedicated individuals. I want to express my sincere thanks to the staff, volunteers, and board members who have supported me throughout. Your unwavering commitment to our mission has been a constant source of inspiration for me, and I am forever grateful for the countless hours of hard work and dedication that you have given to this organization. I will never forget the memories that we have shared, and I will always carry with me the lessons that I have learned from each and every one of you.
In Peace,
Karen
* For any questions please contact newly appointed Co-Global Directors, Jamie Asante-Asare (jasante-asare@peaceplayers.org) or Haley Riley (hriley@peaceplayers.org )
