White Center Now: The blog about White Center

In December, Aileen Balahadia announced she would leave her position as White Center Community Development Association executive director this spring. Now, her successor has just been announced. Here’s the news release received by WCN:

The Board of Directors of the White Center Community Development Association (White Center CDA) proudly announces the hiring of its new executive director, Sili Savusa, a longtime community advocate and White Center resident.

The current CDA Executive Director, Aileen Balahadia, plans to leave her position the end of March, after serving in her leadership role since 2004. Sili Savusa will be leaving her position as Family Center Coordinator for Southwest Youth and Family Services to lead the CDA beginning March 19, 2012.

Aside from her long tenure at the agency, her other accomplishments include being elected to the Highline School Board Director in 2007 as the first woman of color, position #1, and founding the first Samoan/Pacific Islander Parent Teacher Student Association in the Nation in 2002, to address education issues impacting Pacific Islander students and their families.

“All of my work in human services and community development has allowed me to build an extensive network of important relationships,” said Ms. Savusa. “But perhaps the strongest experience I bring is as a resident of this gifted and capable community. My unique skill set, as well as my perspective as a resident whose family is impacted daily by community issues, uniquely qualifies me for this new and exciting role.”

Aileen Balahadia says good-bye to the community she has been honored to serve for the last eight years. Accomplishments under her tenure include the successful management of a multi-million dollar Making Connections comprehensive community change initiative of the Annie E Casey Foundation, the launch of an emerging White Center Promise Neighborhoods campaign, the opening of the 30-unit Unity Village affordable housing project last year, and the stewardship of core CDA programs like Family Connections and neighborhood business district revitalization.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the choice of leadership and how well Sili embodies the values and high quality of our organization,” said Ms. Balahadia. “I want to thank the CDA board of directors, staff, volunteers, members, partners, small businesses and residents for your service and leadership and I look forward to seeing all the community’s brightest dreams achieved in the future.”

Please join us for a good bye and appreciation party for Ms. Balahadia and to meet Ms. Savusa on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at the Greenbridge Community, Educare Building (adjacent to White Center Heights Elementary) at 625 SW 100th St. Seattle, WA 98146.

(Photo from King County Elections Dept. website)

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