Rev. Dr. Sid Mohn, the openly gay president of Heartland Alliance, today announced his plan to retire after 35 years of service to the organization. Since joining Heartland Alliance in 1980, Rev. Dr. Mohn has grown the organization to serve over one million people each year, creating the Midwest's leading anti-poverty organization, with a reputation for quality programming, innovation and thought leadership.
"I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I have had to pursue my vision of creating a world in which each of us realizes our human right to live free from poverty. Through the energy and the vision of a new president, Heartland Alliance will realize a new and exciting set of opportunities to do so as it moves into the next 125 years," says Mohn.
Rev. Dr. Mohn will remain as president until a successor has been identified. Russell Reynolds Associates, a national executive search firm with expertise in nonprofits nationally and globally, will lead the search for Rev. Dr. Mohn's successor.
"I have known Sid for nine years and serving Heartland Alliance under Sid's leadership has been an honor and a privilege," says Lynn Todman, chair of the Heartland Alliance board of directors. "His innovative and inspiring vision has made a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable among us and I'm proud to call him both a colleague and a friend."
"As we strategize around the ever-evolving work of ending poverty and the future of Heartland Alliance's leadership," Todman continues, "we are surrounded by the best and brightest minds in the nonprofit community. We are well-positioned not only to remain among the most innovative thought-leaders in the Midwest, but to maintain the spirit Sid has created within Heartland Alliance — one in which the dignity of each human life is honored."
"Sid has been instrumental in building Heartland Alliance into a leading voice on national and international poverty and human rights issues," said Terry Mazany, president and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. "Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated leadership that is both thoughtful and bold. He is unparalleled in his ability to bring people together to solve poverty issues in the Midwest and around the world."
Heartland Alliance is the leading anti-poverty organization in the Midwest and believes that all of us deserve the opportunity to improve our lives. Each year, we help ensure this opportunity for more than one million people around the world who are homeless, living in poverty or seeking safety. Our policy efforts strengthen communities; our comprehensive services empower those we serve to rebuild and transform their lives. For more information, visit: www.heartlandalliance.org .