Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing to let you know that after ten deeply rewarding years at the helm of the Reproductive Health Technologies Project, I have decided it is it time for me to move on.

There is never a “perfect” moment for leadership transition but as RHTP celebrates its 20th anniversary, and as the organization looks back on our rich history and starts planning for the future, it seems like a good time to seek new leadership and new ventures.

I joined RHTP in 1998 as a coordinator for the first ever paid media campaign on emergency contraception. It was a part-time, temporary gig that involved a move from New York City to Washington, DC. But people who knew the organization and knew me said it was worth the chance. They were right. Almost before I knew it, this targeted educational campaign evolved into a sophisticated public affairs effort that garnered front page headlines and more than its share of behind-the-scenes drama. While the fight to put emergency contraception on the shelf continues, being a witness to, and sometimes driver of, the many twists and turns in this saga, has been an unparalleled career highlight.

RHTP is a small organization that thinks big. I have relished the opportunity to work closely with established and emerging leaders in the field of reproductive rights to tackle complex issues like quinacrine sterilization and regulation of reproductive genetic technologies; to spark new areas of inquiry like contraceptive convenience and abortion stigma; and to leverage our resources in a way that creates the platform for different players to promote a broad reproductive health, rights and justice agenda.

In fact, one of the most humbling and rewarding aspects of this job has been learning how to create an inclusive and developmental organizational culture that encourages each member of the RHTP team to constantly hone the edge of their capacity. It is thrilling to see RHTP attract and cultivate talented individuals at all levels of the organization and I know I will leave the organization in extremely capable hands.

Because I care deeply about the mission, the work, and most important, the people, of RHTP, I will stay on as President until December 2012. This will give the Board time to launch a national search for the next leader who can keep RHTP at the cutting edge of reproductive health science, policy, and practice. And it will give me time to figure out where I want to “replant” myself.

Under separate cover, you will receive a note from Bryan Howard, RHTP’s Board Chair, outlining the process and anticipated timeline for the search. In the meantime, my priority is to ensure RHTP staff have the resources and support to continue meeting organizational priorities. These include pushing innovation in contraceptive services and access; set the stage for fights to preserve and expand abortion coverage and funding; and grow the infrastructure for environmental health policy reform.

In the meantime, thank you for being an integral part of my journey with RHTP.

Sincerely,

Kirsten