Mari Offenbecher Joins Launch as Interim Executive Director

The Launch Board of Directors recently announced they have selected Mari Offenbecher, from Valtas Group, as the interim Executive Director.

Valtas Group will also help guide the Launch Board of Directors through the Executive Director search.

Mari has spent her professional career as a nonprofit leader including 25 years as the Executive Director of long-time Launch partner School’s Out Washington (SOWA). In her role at SOWA, Mari worked to advance quality, equity and innovation in building the field of afterschool and youth development across Washington State. Since leaving SOWA, she has worked as an Interim Executive Director at a variety of other local organizations including other youth-serving nonprofits.

Throughout her career, Mari has been dedicated to bringing quality educational opportunities and supports to children and youth. She has extensive experience building local, statewide and national coalitions and initiatives that impact systems change for children and youth.
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Launch, formerly Community Day School Association (CDSA), is a nonprofit that provides affordable, high-quality before and after school, preschool and summer programs at 12 locations in Central, Southeast, and West Seattle. 

Launch’s goal is to provide a safe, fun, nurturing place where children develop the social-emotional and academic skills they need to be successful throughout their lives. Every year they serve more than 1,250 children ages 3-12.

Launch was founded in 1977 as Community Day School Association. The first location at Montlake Elementary was the first after-school private child-care program to operate within Seattle Public Schools (SPS). It was started by a group of parents who wanted to create a safe and nurturing after-school environment with quality programming for their children.

Launch has formed strong partnerships with the City of Seattle, Seattle Public Schools, and a wide variety of local nonprofit organizations. They are leaders in the fields of early learning and youth development, and have earned the respect from local families, partners, and community.

We are excited about the future as Mari supports Launch through their transition and are looking forward to working with their stakeholders throughout the process.

About Valtas Group

Valtas Group works as Interim Executive Directors, supporting organizations in times of transition and helps organizations navigate uncertainty during leadership change.  
 
Valtas Group also leads the search process in partnership with the board and staff leadership, as consultants for recruiting and search to support organizations identify the ideal Executive Director or leader.
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Valtas Group partners with board members and senior nonprofit leaders on a variety of strategic consulting assignments. Valtas Group has a variety of comprehensive resources to guide your transition needs.  Contact us to learn about executive interim and placement services.