Casa Myrna Vazquez Chief Executive Officer

Casa Myrna believes every relationship should be safe and healthy. We work to end domestic and dating violence and commercial sexual exploitation through intervention, awareness, and prevention.

Founded in 1977 by community activists in Boston’s South End, Casa Myrna was created as a refuge for women and children escaping abuse from their husbands and partners. The organization is named after Myrna Vázquez (1935–1975), a trailblazing actress and activist who mobilized Boston’s Puerto Rican community around critical issues like housing, education, and civil rights. Today, we are Boston’s largest provider of comprehensive, survivor-centered supports, including emergency shelter, housing, counseling, legal advocacy, economic stability, crisis intervention, and prevention education. We operate SafeLink, Massachusetts’ 24/7 statewide domestic violence hotline. Casa Myrna also raises visibility of and works to prevent domestic and dating violence by educating teens and adults through workshops, seminars, trainings, social media, and media engagement.

With a staff of more than 100, multiple sites, and an annual budget of approximately $11 million, Casa Myrna supports thousands of individuals and families each year and plays a critical role in advancing policy, awareness, and systems change across Massachusetts.

Casa Myrna is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed practice. We center the voices and experiences of survivors and work in partnership with communities disproportionately impacted by violence and systemic inequities.

THE POSITION

Casa Myrna’s next CEO will have the opportunity to build upon an exceptional foundation. The organization's current CEO is leaving behind a strong, visible, and well-resourced organization after thirteen years of remarkable growth. The next leader will bring an exciting vision for reaching more survivors, supporting them more deeply, preventing abuse before it occurs, ending abuse in our communities, and advancing the organization's next chapter.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide strategic, operational, and external leadership across a complex, multi-program organization by strengthening internal infrastructure, deepening culture and trust, enhancing program quality, and expanding funding and partnerships. Government contracts represent the majority of Casa Myrna's funding; the CEO must bring demonstrated expertise in acquiring and managing large government contracts and ensuring compliance across a complex, multi-funder portfolio.

This is a highly visible, relationship-driven role for a leader who is equally at home guiding internal organizational evolution and serving as a compelling public ambassador. The ideal candidate brings an informed passion for ending domestic violence and sexual exploitation, a record of accomplishment leading complex organizations, and the humility and humor to lead alongside a deeply committed team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Operational Effectiveness

• Partner with the leadership team and Board to set and execute organizational strategy, translating vision into clear priorities and measurable goals.
• Hold significant day-to-day operational responsibility for a complex, multi-program organization with a staff of 100+ and an $11M budget.
• Assess and strengthen staffing structure, ensuring the organization has the right roles, capacity, and support systems to deliver on its mission.
• Strengthen administrative infrastructure, internal systems, and cross-agency coordination to support sustainable growth.
• Ensure strong systems and processes to track compliance, reporting, and performance standards across a multi-contract government portfolio.
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures for organizational and programmatic performance.

Financial Sustainability & Fundraising

• Ensure the financial strength and long-term sustainability of the organization.
• Lead and expand fundraising efforts across all revenue streams, including government contracts, individual giving, foundations, corporate partnerships, and events.
• Build organizational capacity around government contract acquisition and compliance, ensuring staff has the expertise and systems needed to manage this critical funding source.
• Diversify revenue streams with a focus on increasing unrestricted funding.
• Strengthen donor and stakeholder engagement strategies beyond existing signature events.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and organizational performance.

Organizational Culture, Programmatic Impact & Staff Experience

• Foster a safe, healthy, and supportive work environment for all staff.
• Build a culture of equity, accountability, transparency, and trust; ensure staff have the tools, structure, and leadership support needed to succeed.
• Strengthen programmatic outcomes and service quality, including robust data and reporting systems that demonstrate impact and inform decision-making.

External Relations & Community Engagement

• Serve as Casa Myrna's primary spokesperson and ambassador.
• Build and deepen relationships with community partners, funders—especially state and federal government agencies, and public stakeholders.
• Expand Casa Myrna's visibility and influence across the region.
• Support and advance new and emerging initiatives, including community-based partnerships and prevention efforts.

Board Relations

• Maintain a strong and transparent partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Strengthen engagement and collaboration between staff and Board members.
• Provide timely and accurate information to support governance and decision-making.
• Support Board development, recruitment, and fundraising engagement.

FIRST-YEAR PRIORITIES

• Build trust and strong working relationships across staff, leadership, and the Board.
• Assess and strengthen organizational infrastructure, staffing structure, and internal systems.
• Advance a culture of transparency, accountability, and staff support.
• Evaluate and enhance program quality, outcome measurement, and data systems.
• Create and begin to implement a plan to strengthen and diversify fundraising strategies, including donor engagement beyond signature events.
• Deepen relationships with key community partners and stakeholders across the service area.
• Establish a visible presence as a leader in the domestic violence field and the broader community.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate is a strategic, mission-driven leader with experience managing complex organizations and leading through growth and change. We recognize that no candidate will meet every requirement. If you feel you could be an effective leader and meet many of our requirements, please apply!

Required Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience (CEO, ED, COO, or comparable executive role), ideally in a nonprofit or human services organization, with a track record of translating vision into execution and building strong teams and organizational systems.
• Experience leading organizations with budgets of at least $8 million, with demonstrated financial stewardship and growth.
• Demonstrated success acquiring and managing government contracts and grants, including oversight of compliance and reporting requirements across a multi-funder portfolio.
• Proven fundraising track record across multiple revenue streams, with the credibility and presence to serve as a visible external leader and relationship-builder.
• Previous success building and managing organizational operations at scale, including staffing structure, infrastructure, and cross-functional coordination.
• Deep commitment to Casa Myrna's values and mission of ending domestic and dating violence and commercial exploitation, and promoting social justice and social change; a values-driven approach to leadership that centers equity and survivor-centered work.
• Experience leading teams and mentoring team leaders, with a demonstrated ability to foster a culture of trust, accountability, and staff support.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, planning, and oversight.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a CEO or Executive Director of a nonprofit organization.
• Experience in domestic violence, commercial sexual exploitation, housing, or related fields, including familiarity with trauma-informed, survivor-centered approaches.
• Connections within Boston's philanthropic, civic, or public sectors.
• Demonstrated experience working with survivors of domestic/dating violence, trauma, and abuse, and with marginalized communities, particularly communities of color.
• Fluency in a language other than English is strongly preferred. Preference for Spanish, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, or Haitian Creole.

LOCATION & COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position based in Boston, MA, with a hybrid work environment and regular in-person engagement. The salary range is $200,000–$220,000.

Casa Myrna offers: 35 hour, four day full-time workweek; family-friendly schedule; generous paid time off and holidays; health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance; flexible spending account; health reimbursement account; retirement savings plan with employer match; Employee Assistance Program; and opportunities for professional development.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter through our application portal. Successful candidates can expect an initial screening call with the Positively Partners team, followed by a virtual interview with the search committee. Finalists will be invited to interview at Casa Myrna in Boston. The expected start date is Fall 2026.

Casa Myrna is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity and hiring people with diverse life experiences. Survivors, people who are bilingual/bicultural, persons of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. If accommodations are needed during the recruitment process, email View email address on click.appcast.io.

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