Leadership Transition: A New Chapter for Soliya
"20 years ago, I met the co-founder of a radical, new organization that was purporting to bring young people together across lines of difference to engage in facilitated dialogue and collaborative learning using video conferencing technology! Fascinated by the endeavor, I offered myself up as a volunteer. Instantly I became addicted to the experience of facilitating these transformative journeys. I kept coming back to facilitate, coach, and train. In January 2008, I was delighted to formally join the team as a manager for the Connect Program and some years later, deeply honored to become the CEO.
Over the past eight years, we have conquered a tremendous variety of obstacles and achieved a great many things that I am so very proud of:
We grew our influence from reaching 800 people a year to reaching 10,000 people per year. We expanded out to new geographies and demographics - demonstrating the full potential of our model to reach across the globe and multiple dividing lines. With this, we also grew our unparalleled community of participants, alumni, and volunteers.
We unlocked new streams of funding geared specifically toward this field and established ourselves as reliable programming partners to the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute, the U.S. Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, and the European Union.
We also grappled with the fallout of revolutions, uprisings, and active conflicts, established ourselves in a new regional location, in Tunis; contended with the multi-dimensional repercussions of a global health crisis, worked to meet the rising tides of social justice movements, and navigated the treacherous waters of the world of philanthropy.
We explored the relevance of our model and methodology across new sectors by establishing exciting new partnerships including with global banks, companies, and international organizations.
Through all of this, we committed and recommitted to our values and to our larger mission. None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our global team, the broader community, and a dynamic Board. I have never worked with a more diverse, passionate, talented, and authentic group of individuals. I have learned, laughed, been challenged, and felt heard and respected on a daily basis. I cannot imagine another workplace that could replicate the environment I have had the privilege of having been in over the past nearly 16 years.
And so it is certainly with some mixed emotions that I write today to share that after many fulfilling and incredible years, I will be stepping down from my leadership position and leaving Soliya as of the 30th of June. I plan to take some time to step back, reflect and think about what comes next.
Never has the need for providing people with the opportunities and capacities to engage in constructive dialogue for collective action and gains been more relevant. As such, I am delighted to announce that the indomitable Salma Elbeblawi, Soliya’s Chief of Programs, will take the helm as Executive Director to lead Soliya into its next exciting chapter. I have every faith in this amazing team’s ability to carry the organizational mission forwards. It’s been a privilege to have been part of the Soliya community.
Thank you all for your support and care over the years!
Sincerely,
Waidehi Gokhale
CEO"