Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge Announces Executive Director to Transition to New Role.
[Charlottesville, VA November 14, 2023] — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge is excited to announce the bittersweet transition of our dedicated and visionary Executive Director, Athena Gould, to her new role as Deputy Director at Virginia Humanities. This transition marks a new chapter in Athena's career as she continues her journey of leadership and impact in the nonprofit sector. Gould’s last day serving Big Brothers Big Sisters is December 1, 2023.
During this transitional period, the board is pleased to announce that Molly Jackson, our current Director of Programs, will step up and serve as Interim-Executive Director.
“Athena has been a cornerstone of our organization for the past seven years, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our mission of providing young people with access to caring mentors and positive experiences,” commented Board Chair Beth Morris. “Her impressive 15-year career in youth development, working with nonprofit organizations in both New York and Nevada, equipped her with the skills and experience necessary to drive our organization's growth and success.”
During her tenure as the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge, Gould made significant contributions to our community by strengthening our mentorship programs, expanding our reach, and fostering meaningful connections between our young mentees and their mentors. Her leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on our organization, and we are immensely grateful for her contributions.
“Working with Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a highlight of my career. I’ve enjoyed watching our Littles grow and thrive,” shares Gould. “Thank you to all of our partners, donors, and Bigs for loving on and supporting our incredible kids. BBBS is in great hands with Molly.”
Gould’s transition to this new leadership role reflects her ongoing commitment to growth and her dedication to making a positive impact in the nonprofit sector. She believes in the power of peer learning and is eager to collaborate with others to further her own development while benefiting Big Brothers and the broader community.
A native of Albemarle County, Jackson has been an integral part of the Big Brother Big Sisters family for almost 12 years. Molly's experience and dedication make her well-suited to lead our organization during this transitional phase. We have full confidence in her ability to maintain our commitment to our mission and continue the important work we do. Molly will ensure a smooth transition while we conduct an executive search to fill the role of Executive Director.
“We, at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge, wish Athena the very best in her new role at Virginia Humanities and are confident that she will continue to make a significant impact in her new capacity,” shared Board Member Alex Bryant. “We also look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact her experience and leadership will have on our organization and the communities we serve.”
For media inquiries or more information about this transition, please contact Beth Morris, Board Chair, at emorris@morrisandwells.com or by phone at 434-977-7010. For more information or to apply, please visit https://www.blueridgebigs.org/careers.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing young people access to caring mentors and positive experiences. We work to strengthen the lives of young people and build better communities. Our mission is to ignite the inherent potential in every child in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
