Thank You, Mary Strasser

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Dear AmeriCorps VISTA Project Sponsor, 

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Mary Strasser, the Director of AmeriCorps VISTA, has decided to retire.

Mary joined us in 2005 as the Pennsylvania State Director after 30 years in non-profit management with United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia. 

Since Mary took the reins of AmeriCorps VISTA in 2011, the program successfully implemented the performance-management system. She also aligned its programming with agency priorities in education, economic opportunity, healthy futures and veterans and military families.   In addition, Mary ushered in the use of more online resources to improve communication with AmeriCorps VISTA members and project sponsors.

Among many highlights during Mary’s tenure, she helped further position AmeriCorps VISTA as a resource for innovative public- and private-sector partnerships alike:

  • President Obama recently announced that AmeriCorps VISTA members will be deployed to five Promise Zones. AmeriCorps VISTA members will be on the ground working with local communities, businesses, and federal agencies to help coordinate resources. 

  • AmeriCorps VISTA is leading the way in launching STEM AmeriCorps, which President Obama announced at last year’s White House Science Fair. AmeriCorps VISTA members are working with nonprofits to inspire young people in under-served communities to excel in science, technology, engineering, and math. 

  • Working with Bank of America and Points of Light, AmeriCorps VISTA is providing the backbone for a new Financial Opportunity Corps. These AmeriCorps VISTA members are training low- and moderate-income families how to better manage their money, reduce debt, and build emergency funds. They are bringing hope and new skills to families in difficult situations.

We are proud of everyone in the VISTA community who helped create innovative and cost-effective partnerships like these. They carry out the goals set by President Obama when he recently established the Task Force on Expanding National Service.

As we salute Mary for her many contributions on behalf of Americans, we also will continue to build on her achievements. I have asked Erin Dahlin, our Deputy Director of Program Coordination, to serve as the Acting Director of AmeriCorps VISTA beginning on March 3. Like Mary, Erin is a passionate and effective national service leader. Since joining CNCS in 1998, Erin has distinguished herself as someone who, true to the AmeriCorps spirit, “gets things done.” That’s really not a surprise since, prior to her federal service, Erin served as an AmeriCorps member in City Year and as an AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader. 

Please join me in thanking Mary for her inspiring service and leadership. 

Warmest Regards,

Wendy Spencer, CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service