Subject: Three incredible years with Malala Fund & your help with our CEO search
From: "Meighan Stone" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2016 18:24:31 -0400

Dear Friends:

Writing to share that after three incredible years with the Malala Fund, I
have decided to step down from my role at the end of January 2017 to spend
more time with my young son.  It has been the honor of my life to be of
service to Malala, her family and our dedicated team as we’ve worked
together to educate and empower girls globally.  I'm deeply grateful to
them--  and to you -- for all you've done to make our work possible.

When I showed up to my first day at Malala Fund, like many startups, there
hadn't been time to develop plans, a team or even a logo!  Our great
challenge and honor was to build a mission and organization worthy of
Malala and her family’s sacrifice.  The vision was to empower girls from
the Global South to learn, lead and claim their place at the table.  Sheryl
Sandberg has famously said when someone offers you a seat on a rocket ship,
you don't ask which seat-- just get on.  I'm so grateful I did.

Our recent Malala Day trip was a great gift – to see the results of our
Malala Fund investments teaching girls to code, learn and have confidence
in themselves in Nairobi. To amplify the voices of refugee girls like Rehma
who we met at Dadaab camp. To meet with world leaders and have Malala be
the powerful diplomat she already is at 19.  To hear from Syrian and
Nigerian girls whose lives have been changed through the "He Named Me
Malala" international film campaign.  To witness in action the incredible
staff that started with just a couple people and is now a global, committed
and growing team.

I'm looking forward to the next challenge, in a new way that will allow me
more time with my family.  With the recent deaths of Jo Cox and two other
friends lost far too soon, I became aware of how frequently travel and long
hours kept me from my six year old son.  I've always promised myself that I
wouldn't be the person at the global summit speaking about the world’s
children, while somehow neglecting my own.  I'm looking forward to spending
as much time at my son's classroom as I do in refugee camp schools -- and
continuing to do work with impact and meaning.

So now, a request for your help.  I've committed to our board to support a
thoughtful search and transition in leadership through the end of January,
a process I hope all of you will be part of making a success.  I've
attached the job description here, I hope you will help us find that
incredible next leader to take our organization to the next stage of
growth.  I can’t wait to meet her.

It is my greatest hope and prayer that I have done my small part well to
contribute to the Malala Fund.  More than anything, I'm grateful for every
girl we have helped educate and empower.  I know this work we have started
together will continue to achieve the dreams of so many more girls
globally.

Many thanks,
Meighan

-- 
MEIGHAN STONE  |  President  |  Malala Fund
[Tel / SMS] +1 202.538.9143  [skype] meighanstone  [t] @meighanstone

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