PACA announces hire of Jamila Medley as executive director
Statement from the Board of Directors
Since 2012, PACA has seen huge leaps in our development: the organizing work of our steering committee, incorporation as a 501(c)3, our first cohort of the Cooperative Leadership Institute, our 20 Book Clubs → 20 Cooperative Businesses program, and so much more.
Under the leadership of Peter Frank, PACA has grown from an all-volunteer organization to a staffed organization well positioned to shepherd co-op business sustainability and development for years to come in the Philadelphia region. During Peter’s tenure, PACA’s programming emerged, a donor base has been cultivated through the Principal Six Club, and over 20 co-op businesses have become PACA members. As directors, we have been proud of the progress that has been made with Peter at the helm. It is with deep appreciation that we share that Peter will be stepping down as executive director, continuing his work at PACA as director of finance and development while also spending more time with his family.
At the same time, PACA’s board of directors is proud and delighted to share that we have appointed Jamila Medley as executive director. Jamila was appointed as of February 1, 2017 after a closed hiring and vetting process led by our board.
For the past two years, Jamila has served as a vital member of PACA’s Board of Directors, and has been with us since the beginning of the PACA steering committee in 2012. We believe that Jamila is the best possible choice to serve in this role, and we look forward to her leadership unfolding by building on PACA’s existing successes, strengthening and growing our cooperative membership base and ushering PACA into deeper connections with the Philadelphia region’s diverse networks of business and community development opportunities.
Jamila previously served as membership & marketing manager and organizational development coordinator for Mariposa Food Co-op in West Philadelphia, and is deeply experienced as a facilitator and leader. Jamila holds a M.S. in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jamila’s work, both on the board and more directly in PACA’s programs such as the Cooperative Leadership Institute and 20 Book Clubs → 20 Cooperative Businesses, gives her a deep insight into what will help to develop PACA in the years to come. She has a strong understanding of where we have come from and a strategic outlook on the direction of the organization. Both internally and externally, Jamila has proven to be an exceptional leader and the perfect choice to lead the growing, diverse, multi-faceted community that PACA serves.
The Board of Directors enthusiastically welcomes Jamila’s clear strengths in strategic planning, bolstering democratic workplaces, as well as marketing and outreach/education programs serving diverse communities. As we move past our “startup” phase, we know that Jamila’s leadership strengths will help to define and develop PACA into a strong organization for years to come as we grow the cooperative economy here in Philadelphia.
Watch Jamila and Peter discuss the transition in this short video:
We’ll be hosting a Meet and Greet with Peter and Jamila on Thursday, February 23 to give us all a chance to celebrate this transition with them.
Here are the details:
Meet and Greet Celebrating PACA’s Executive Director Transition
Thursday, February 23
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar (upstairs)
220 S. 12th St.
Free entry, pay-as-you-go drinks and food.
RSVP on Facebook.