Stepping into a new role
By Aryenish Birdie | March 7, 2022
After five wonderful years of growth, joy, and the profound meaning that can only come from serving in a role aligned with my heart’s most sincere purpose — to create a better world for non-humans and humans — I have decided to step aside as executive director of Encompass and move into an advisory role.
Founding and serving as a leader of this organization has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I’ve enjoyed working with our incredible team, board, advisory council, caucus members, donors, clients, volunteers, and everyone who understands the importance of our mission. I believe the impressive strides we’ve made are due to our collective work.
Stepping aside so that others can step up is essential in creating space to cultivate more leaders in our movement, which is one of Encompass’ core goals. Developing opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and people of the global majority (BIPGM) to lead is also a personal priority, as it allows for a range of diverse voices to serve as decision makers and carry our movement forward.
I know sometimes change can feel difficult, but it’s also healthy, powerful, and necessary. Encompass is in a thriving position with a lot of meaningful accomplishments and I have deep trust in everyone involved in the organization to keep the mission moving forward. My confidence is rooted in the exceptional skill and ability demonstrated by our staff, which includes our new and ever-talented program director, Désirée Acholla.
So much of what I faced in the early years of Encompass was “making the case” for racial equity work in the farmed animal protection movement. I’m proud that addressing racial equity and organizational culture is no longer considered a “nice to have” but an expected and critical part of working in this movement.
Encompass is moving into a different phase of growth and it’s time for others to lead this evolution. Our first few years were focused on establishing structures, policies, programs, relationships, and operations. Now that those systems are in place, it’s time for someone else to take what we’ve built and grow it! We will soon launch our membership program, maximize the potential of our research report, and actualize the impact of our talent database. I’m excited to support these endeavors as an advisor and see the ways another leader, the organization, and community will move this work forward.
This transition is very intentional and well-planned; our team (including the board) are aligned on priorities and process. I will stay on as long as needed to ensure that the organization continues to flourish and that we use an equitable process in finding my successor. My hope is to bring on a new executive director this spring or summer.
As much as this decision is a professional one, it’s also personal. At this stage in my life and career, I need to take time off to learn what is best for me to do next. I plan to take approximately 6 months off and then explore a range of opportunities that continue to serve our collective work for animals and BIPGM.
No matter what, I will never be far from the people I cherish in this community, and I will continue supporting them and this work with my whole heart. A friend and Encompass board member said it perfectly: “You aren’t leaving the family; you’re just moving out of the house.” That’s exactly it.
Please help us find a brilliant new leader for Encompass by sharing the position description and application. We’re eager to fill this role as soon as possible so please apply early if you’re interested.