The Commonwealth’s leading voice for smart growth, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, has named Stacie Reidenbaugh of Lancaster, Pennsylvania as its new President and CEO. Reidenbaugh was appointed last month by the Board of Directors following an exhaustive search process that began in April 2018.  Reidenbaugh officially assumes her new role on September 6th, succeeding Interim CEO Dan Wofford, who will remain associated with 10,000 Friends as a senior consultant.

“The Board of Directors has enthusiastically selected Ms. Reidenbaugh to be our next President,” said Caroline Boyce, Chair of the Board. “We are fortunate to have someone of Stacie’s caliber and experience step up to lead 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. I’m enormously excited about this next chapter for the organization under Stacie’s leadership.”

A native of Lancaster County, Reidenbaugh brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public policy, planning, and community development to 10,000 Friends. She most recently served as Executive Director of Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, stepping down in January after 15 years. Reidenbaugh is the Board Chair and co-founder of Habitat for Humanity Pennsylvania and serves on the boards of Housing Alliance of PA and Moravian Manor. Reidenbaugh studied government and business administration at Millersville University and Elizabethtown College and serves as faculty for public policy and fundraising for Leadership Lancaster.

“I’ve admired and respected the mission and policy work of 10,000 Friends for years, so I’m humbled to be chosen to lead the organization into the future,” said Reidenbaugh. “Community and economic development are the bedrock of our local communities across the Commonwealth. 10,000 Friends has an important role in convening conversations and bringing partners together to spark community change.”

“We had a tremendous expression of interest from many great candidates; it was a difficult choice because of the quality of the applicants,” noted Bert Cossaboon, Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Search Committee. “Stacie brings a deep commitment to 10,000 Friend’s core values and mission, and a capacity to strategically guide the organization forward.”

“10,000 Friends begins a new chapter with Stacie,” Boyce noted. “One that will support our current project work in local communities, but more importantly provide a platform for broader conversations among stakeholders about Pennsylvania’s economic development and environmental priorities.”

Reidenbaugh will be based at 10,000 Friends’ headquarters in Harrisburg at 240 North Third Street. In the coming months, she will work with the Board of Directors and staff to plan the 2018 Commonwealth Awards in Bethlehem and meet stakeholders and civic leaders from across the state to gain their perspectives on economic and community development.