Exciting changes are coming to LivableStreets! At the end of September, our long-time Executive Director Stacy Thompson will be stepping down from her role. Three current staff members, Makayla Comas, Catherine Gleason, and Michaela Grenier, will be carrying forward leadership at LivableStreets. Keep reading to meet our new leaders, read a message from Stacy, and more!
A message from Executive Director Stacy Thompson
After nearly ten years at LivableStreets, I’ll be stepping back as Executive Director at the end of September. I’ve immensely enjoyed my time at LivableStreets and working with all of you. Together we've advanced our collective vision for a world where streets are safe and vibrant public spaces that connect people to the places where they live, work, and play.
As I start my next chapter and seek new adventures, I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made towards this vision over the past 20 years. But I know there is more work ahead! I am confident that the team we’ve built is ready to lead LivableStreets into our next chapter.
Many years ago, early in my career, a colleague told me that I should aim to hire people who I know could do the job better than I ever could, and to give them space to do the job well. I took that advice to heart and I am so excited to share that Makayla Comas, Catherine Gleason, and Michaela Grenier are stepping up as interim Co-Executive Directors to lead LivableStreets through this transition.
If you’ve worked with any of them, you already know they are rock stars. If you don’t know Makayla C., Catherine, or Michaela G.—take a moment to learn more about each of them (and congratulate them!).
I hope you will join me in supporting their leadership and the entire team at LivableStreets! The organization will be embarking on a new strategic planning process this year and celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025. One of the best ways you can support is by joining us for Tour de Streets on September 21, 2024. This event is our most important fundraiser—and will be my last event at LivableStreets. I hope to see you there!
And if you can’t make it, I hope you will join me in giving generously this year. Perhaps support one of our new leaders' fundraising campaigns!
Thank you so much for your support, your partnership, and for being part of the LivableStreets community.
Sincerely,
Stacy Thompson
Meet the co-executive directors!
Makayla Comas
I’ve been at LivableStreets for 2 and half years, working across our program areas and projects as the Senior Manager of Community Engagement. I have been responsible for, and will continue to be, building and coordinating outreach campaigns that advance the goals of LivableStreets’ Transit, Emerald Network, Vision Zero, and Great Neighborhoods advocacy initiatives. I am excited about the opportunity to work with Catherine and Michaela on this new adventure!
As I step into co-leadership I will also be managing LivableStreets’ fundraising efforts and Board relations.
Consider supporting my Tour de Streets campaign!
Catherine Gleason
In my nearly 6 years at LivableStreets, I’ve held more positions than most staff, most recently serving as Director of Policy. Throughout my time, I’ve led policy campaigns, written reports, overseen our board of directors, and even managed LivableStreets’ finances. As I step into co-leadership with my colleagues, I bring a deep well of knowledge of our organization with me.
In our shared leadership model, I will continue heading our policy and safe streets work, while also managing our organizational operations and communications.
Drop me a line! [email protected]
And consider supporting my Tour de Streets campaign!
Michaela Grenier
I joined the LivableStreets team a year and a half ago as the Emerald Network Project Manager. In my current role, I lead project management for complex green space and transportation planning projects. Before joining the LivableStreets team in January 2023, I spent nearly a decade in the nonprofit sector working at nonprofits focused on conflict resolution, community engagement, and organizational change.
I’m excited to step into this new interim co-executive director role with my colleagues and to help support this new chapter for LivableStreets. In our shared leadership model, I will lead our Emerald Network and Great Neighborhoods work and manage our finances and HR.
Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
Consider supporting my Tour de Streets campaign!
A message from our Board Chair
On behalf of the LivableStreets Board, I want to share our immense gratitude for all that Stacy has given to the organization as Executive Director. After nearly 10 years of advocacy at LivableStreets, we couldn’t be more excited for her as she embarks on her next chapter!
During her tenure, Stacy has made significant contributions to the growth and success of LivableStreets. Under Stacy’s leadership, we have expanded programs, tripled the size of our staff and budget, and have achieved countless advocacy wins.
Stacy has been instrumental in fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration—and has focused on building a strong team at LivableStreets.
This is why, while we’re sad to say goodbye to Stacy, we are also excited that Makayla Comas, Catherine Gleason, and Michaela Grenier are stepping up as Interim Co-Executive Directors to lead LivableStreets through this transition. Their commitment to the mission and values of LivableStreets, and care for the wellbeing of the team, will ensure a smooth transition process.
Please join me in thanking Stacy for her leadership and dedication to LivableStreets and join us at Tour de Streets on September 21st. Our event will serve as a celebration of Stacy's time at LivableStreets and a celebration of the staff who will lead LivableStreets into its next chapter.
Thank you for your ongoing support of LivableStreets!
Jason Lee
LivableStreets Board Chair
What will happen to the work?
Nothing! Well, not nothing, we stay very busy. But we’re excited to continue carrying on our key priorities, from better bus service to safe streets.
We’re also excited to kick-off a strategic planning process that will set up our priorities and work for the next 5 years! But we know, what does strategic planning even mean? Basically it means that we’ll take a birds eye view of our work to evaluate what the next 5 years at LivableStreets should look like. We’ll ensure our work aligns with our values. We’ll also do a full-scale evaluation of leadership models to decide what makes the most sense for staff and the organization long-term. This means evaluating many different leadership structures, to ensure we’re prioritizing leadership work/life balance and sustainability, promoting organizational stability, and building a flatter and more collaborative structure.
Still confused? We’ll be keeping our StreetLife listserv updated as we progress on this process. Stay up to date by signing up here.
