DSANV Executive Director Search Update
By DSANV Executive Committee
The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) is excited to share an update on the search for our next Executive Director. This is a pivotal moment for our organization, and the Board of Directors is committed to ensuring the process is thorough, equitable, and transparent.
Recruitment & Selection
We are actively in the hiring process for DSANV’s next Executive Director. To ensure this search is conducted fairly and in full compliance with HR laws, we have once again engaged our trusted HR search partner, Blackwell HR, to guide us through recruitment, hiring, and onboarding. This is the same approach we used in our last Executive Director search, and it helps us uphold fairness, consistency, and best practices throughout the process.
Behind the scenes, the board has carefully reviewed the budget and approved the replacement of the Executive Director role within the organization’s financial framework. A hiring committee — made up of the executive committee and designated delegates — has been formed based on HR recommendations and nonprofit best practices. The process is led by Blackwell HR to ensure professionalism and impartiality.
We have also updated the job description with input from the outgoing Executive Director, board, and staff, aligning the role with DSANV’s strategic plan — a plan shaped by community survey responses and feedback over the past year.
Process Transparency
Candidates apply directly through Blackwell HR. Their team conducts the initial screenings and recommends candidates who meet the requirements of the position. Eligible candidates then move forward to interviews with the hiring committee, guided by a structured set of questions and a scoring matrix designed specifically for this search.
Following interviews, the hiring committee will review the results and vote on a candidate. The recommendation will then go to the full board for discussion and approval. If the first candidate is not approved, a second candidate will be presented. This structured process follows our bylaws and ensures fairness and accountability.
Please note: the hiring committee cannot share confidential candidate information or discuss candidate standings. In addition, consistent with past practice, board members interested in applying for the role were required to resign from the board by a stated deadline to avoid conflicts of interest.
Progress So Far
We are pleased to share that we currently have 25 applicants for the Executive Director position. There is no official closing date at this time; Blackwell HR will recommend when the candidate pool is strong enough to set one.
You can help by sharing the job post on DSANV’s social media with your networks. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please encourage them to apply.
Community Input
While the board will make the final hiring decision in accordance with our bylaws, community voices are essential in shaping DSANV’s future. Here are the ways you can participate:
Listening to Community Priorities: We are hosting short surveys asking questions like: “What’s one thing you hope the next ED will carry forward?”
Small Group Conversations: Just like tonight’s Heart-to-Heart and our previous two town halls this year, we will continue inviting parents, self-advocates, and members to share priorities in one-hour conversations with board members.
Meet & Greet with the New ED: Once the new Executive Director is hired, we will host a welcome event for families to meet them — similar to what we did when Heather was hired.
Ongoing Feedback Channels: As laid out in our strategic plan, community voices will continue to guide programming and strategic direction through surveys, town halls, advisory groups, and more.
Transition Timing
The timing of the transition depends on several factors — candidate availability, onboarding scheduling, ongoing activities, and holidays — many of which are outside our direct control. Our goal is to have the transition take place during the last quarter of the year (October–December).
We look forward to keeping you updated as the search moves forward. In the meantime, we invite you to share your answer to this question: “What’s one thing you hope the next Executive Director will carry forward?” using this form: https://wkf.ms/46vxEpN
Link To Apply to the Executive Director Position: https://lnkd.in/eUF6JhzE