Blog

As I reflect on my first year as CEO of WithinReach, several key themes have emerged that continue to shape my leadership and deepen my understanding of the work ahead. Each of these themes connects to both my personal growth and the mission of our organization—rooted in service to families and communities with compassion, equity, and a vision for a brighter future. I am incredibly proud to lead WithinReach, an organization so deeply committed to making a lasting impact. I am also profoundly grateful for the dedication of our staff and the unwavering support of our community and state partners, who make our work possible. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to WithinReach and to the families we serve.  

Focusing on Prevention as a Path to Thriving 

At WithinReach, we believe that prevention is not just a strategy—it is central to transforming the child welfare system. By addressing the root causes of crises before they escalate, we have the opportunity to keep families together, reduce the need for state intervention, and ensure children grow up in supportive environments. Over the past year, our commitment to child welfare reform has grown even stronger as we’ve seen how preventive approaches, like those in the Plan of Safe Care, can actively disrupt cycles of crisis and system involvement. 

The Plan of Safe Care focuses on the holistic well-being of both the child and the birthing parent, ensuring they receive not only medical and behavioral health support but also access to essential resources like housing, childcare, and food security. By coordinating closely with community-based partners, we offer a comprehensive network of support tailored to each family’s unique needs. This approach demonstrates that prevention isn’t just about avoiding harm—it’s about creating a system where families can thrive right from the start. 

By prioritizing preventive interventions through programs like Plan of Safe Care, we are actively breaking cycles of crisis. This strengthens families, reduces the likelihood of child welfare involvement, and ensures children grow up in stable, supportive environments. Prevention is about giving families the tools and resources they need long before challenges escalate—building a foundation for success and resilience.  

Centering Families and Amplifying Lived Experience 

Throughout my first year, I have come to see even more clearly the importance of centering families in everything we do. It is crucial that the voices of those directly impacted by systemic failures are not only heard but prioritized in shaping the solutions. Families are the true experts on their own needs, and many of them, especially system survivors, carry invaluable insight into how these systems can be transformed. 

At WithinReach, we believe in amplifying the voices of those with lived experience—those who have navigated and survived the very systems that we aim to reform. In my recent blog on the Regional Forum on Child Welfare Transformation, I highlighted a critical conversation around the need for integrating system survivors into the design and transformation of these systems. Their perspectives, grounded in lived experience, offer essential insights that help shape systems to better serve everyone, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. The call to action at the forum made it clear: meaningful change can only happen when the voices of those most affected by systemic failures are prioritized. 

As we work to transform the systems that impact families, we must ensure that they are not just part of the conversation but are at the center of the process. True reform happens when those affected are empowered to co-design solutions that genuinely address the challenges they face.  

Targeted Universalism: Building the Foundation for Equity-Based Support 

As part of my first year’s focus on deepening our commitment to equity, we have embraced Targeted Universalism as a guiding framework for our work. At WithinReach, we believe that every family deserves access to the help they need, when they need it. Targeted Universalism allows us to work toward this universal goal while recognizing that different families face unique barriers to accessing resources. 

This year, we’ve developed a data-informed framework that helps us better understand which families are being left behind by existing systems. By identifying those furthest from resources, we are able to plan and create streamlined pathways that make it easier for these families to receive the help they need. This work has reinforced our commitment to equity—ensuring that every family, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Targeted Universalism exemplifies how we can build more inclusive systems that support all families, especially those who have historically been excluded or underserved.  

Developing Future Leaders 

One of the most rewarding aspects of my first year as CEO has been seeing the growth and development of our staff. At WithinReach, we are committed to not only serving families but also creating an environment where our team members can grow, lead, and thrive. Investing in the development of our staff has been a top priority, because strong leadership at every level of the organization is key to sustaining our impact in the community. 

We’re especially excited to announce that the first-year fellowship in honor of Kay Knox has been awarded to Guita Taheri  at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. This fellowship reflects our commitment to supporting future leaders of color and ensuring that the next generation of nonprofit leaders is equipped to drive meaningful change. Kay Knox, our past CEO, was a dedicated mentor and role model, and this fellowship honors her legacy by empowering emerging leaders to build a more inclusive and equitable future for our communities. 

This commitment to leadership development was recently highlighted when Lark Kesterke had the incredible opportunity to visit the White House as part of our work on the Help Me Grow Washington/Plan of Safe Care. This visit was a testament to the caliber of leadership we are cultivating at WithinReach. Lark’s work, along with that of our entire team, showcases our ability to not only engage in high-level policy discussions but also drive meaningful change that impacts families on the ground. Moments like these inspire us to continue supporting the growth of our staff so that they can lead in powerful ways, both locally and nationally.  

Conclusion: Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Purpose 

As I look back on my first year as CEO, I am filled with immense gratitude for the dedication of our staff, board, and partners. Together, we’ve not only deepened our commitment to equity, prevention, and leadership development but have also laid the groundwork for a future where all families have the opportunity to thrive. At WithinReach, we remain committed to transforming systems, empowering future leaders, and building pathways that ensure every family has access to the resources and support they need. 

The journey ahead is long, but with the strong foundation we’ve built, I am confident in our ability to continue driving meaningful change for families across Washington. Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to the work we will continue to do together.