Press release from OnTrack WNC Financial Education & Counseling:
After 14 years, OnTrack WNC’s Deputy Director, Sarah Brown’s last day on staff at OnTrack WNC Financial Education & Counseling will be Friday, March 19, 2021.
OnTrack WNC’s Executive Director, Celeste Collins, said “As anyone who has crossed paths with Sarah knows, she has done remarkable work with OnTrack WNC. Her energy, creativity, passion and excellence have given us dynamic programs, engaged staff, and community connections — all of which truly make a difference for those we serve. Plus, Sarah is fun to be around! Her enthusiasm and straight-forward approach to information sharing has lightened and livened up our work.”
Not one to jeopardize the agency and to provide ample time to plan the transition, Sarah announced her resignation plan in August 2020 with the target date of March 19, 2021.
Reflecting on the past 14 years, Sarah Brown said, “The most rewarding part of my time with OnTrack has been working closely with our staff and cultivating relationships where they felt heard, respected, and challenged, empowering each of them to stretch into their next best professional self. I leave with incredible gratitude for how each person has taught me and propelled my own growth in ways that will positively affect my life and career for many years to come.”
“We were shocked and saddened to learn we would lose Sarah from the OnTrack WNC team,” said Collins, “but we celebrate her, thank her for years of dedicated, inspired, transformative work, and offer our heart-felt best wishes for this new chapter in her life.”
What’s next for Sarah? In her resignation letter Sarah wrote, “While my ideas about what’s next are still in their infancy, I am excited by the possibility of developing my own business working with organizations and businesses in multiple capacities such as: innovating, operationalizing, and implementing special projects; supporting non-profits in organizational transitions as an Interim Executive Director; or providing coaching and training to managers on how to supervise with grace, humanity, and humility while providing their staff with support and accountability.”
New Agency Leaders
The announcement of Sarah’s resignation, gave OnTrack WNC months to reinvision our organization structure and workflow. We formed a staff Transition Team, engaged the help of consultant Greg Walker Wilson thanks to a Capacity Building Grant through WNC Nonprofit Pathways and The Community Foundation of WNC, and brought this “opportunity” into our work with racial equity consultant Marsha Davis. All this led us to restructure, reconfigure and reallocate Sarah’s duties. Congratulations to two new Directors!
Amanda Hunsucker, Program Director
Amanda joined OnTrack WNC in July 2015 as a Financial/Housing Counselor. Over these five years, Amanda’s contributions and responsibilities have grown. Most recently, as Matched Savings & Homebuyer Programs Director, Amanda managed the successful pilot and expansion of OnTrack’s SECURE Matched Savings Program and employer-based matched savings for homeownership programs. Because of Amanda’s experience, client-centered focus, creativity, and enthusiasm for helping people build financial capabilities, she was a perfect fit for the role of Program Director.
Jonathan Stansell, Operations Director
Since joining OnTrack WNC in 2006, Jonathan has served many roles: Volunteer Tax Project Coordinator, Financial Educator, Housing Counselor, and Homebuyer Program Director. Most recently, in his role as New Programs Director, Jonathan researched and help create the high-impact Bridge Program which helps employers address unaffordable housing and childcare for their workforce. His interest in financial coaching, behavioral economics, and human-centered design informs his approach. His extensive analytical expertise and attention to systems, make him a great match for the Operations Director position.
OnTrack WNC’s Work Continues
OnTrack WNC’s team might be changing, but the commitment continues! The agency’s counselors, educators and volunteers are ready to help people file taxes, create an emergency cash flow plan, avoid foreclosure, buy their first home, and more. Check OnTrack WNC’s webinars and other services www.ontrackwnc.org or call 828-255-5166.
OnTrack WNC helps people achieve their money and housing goals through financial education, counseling and support so that they can overcome crises, afford basic needs, improve money-management skills, and make sound financial choices rooted in their values. Rewrite Your Financial Story! For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call OnTrack WNC at 255-5166 or toll free 1-800-737-5485 or www.ontrackwnc.org.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.