Page 18 - Southern Exposure - March '25

Page 18, Southern Exposure

buSineSS SPotlight

Announcing Interim CEO Of The Lord’s Place

Kerry Diaz Accepts Interim Position As Long-Term CEO Diana Stanley Retires

The Lord’s Place Board of Directors recently announced the driving force behind The Lord’s Place’s growth and
the decision to appoint an interim and highly experienced impact, transforming the agency from a struggling nonprofit
leader to take over Diana Stanley’s role of CEO on a with 30 employees into a highly-recognized organization of
temporary basis. Kerry Diaz, J.D., has agreed to step into $17 million in revenues – employing 130 staff, operating 15
the role of Interim CEO while the CEO search committee housing campuses, and providing services to close to 1,900
continues to identify the agency’s next permanent leader. individuals annually on their journey out of homelessness.
“Finding the right individual to replace Diana after 17 Stanley has advocated relentlessly for the most vulnerable
remarkable years of dedication and visionary leadership in in our community and has developed new partnerships
expanding services and resources for the most disadvantaged and collaborations between local agencies – elevating and
in Palm Beach County has required a thoughtful and thorough championing the local nonprofit community. She has led the
process. We want to ensure the right candidate assumes agency and community in viewing the end to homelessness as
the position to continue inspiring our team, enriching our more than housing including the services and skills training
community, and, most importantly, serving those in need,” that ensure individuals become productive citizens.
stated Cornie Thornburgh, chair of the Board of Directors. Diaz will officially return to The Lord’s Place starting
Diaz most recently served as The Lord’s Place Chief January 27, 2025. Stanley will remain CEO until February 3,
Operating Officer from 2021 to 2023, where she oversaw the 2025, ensuring a thorough handover of responsibilities and key
agency’s operations, including its information technology, relationships. On February 3, Stanley will become president of
property management, and housing acquisition/expansion The Lord’s Place Foundation where she will remain connected
components. She has strong knowledge of the many dimensions to the agency as she and a dedicated foundation board oversee
of nonprofit management, including programming, finance, donors’ investments for long-term sustainability.
advancement, research and evaluation, legal compliance, “Once again, we express our profound gratitude for
human resources, and administration. She also previously Diana’s extraordinary leadership, exemplary service
served as chief executive officer of the Quantum Foundation. to the community, and unwavering passion for making
Thornburgh added, “Given Kerry’s proven track record a difference in the lives of the poor and homeless. In
in nonprofit leadership, operations, and strategy – coupled Kerry Diaz and Diana Stanley at The Lord’s Place Ending tandem, we are most grateful to Kerry for agreeing to
with her compassion and love of our mission – we have Homelessness Breakfast in 2023. (Photo by Capehart serve as Interim CEO. As an already valued leader within
Photography) our agency and our community, Kerry will make this
transition as smooth as possible as she continues to drive
full confidence in her ability to lead The Lord’s Place as key initiatives, advise on strategy, and manage change
we continue our careful search. Additionally, Kerry is fully until we elect a new permanent CEO,” said Thornburgh.
known to the board, staff, community, key stakeholders, and For more information on The Lord’s Place and its
donors – making her a great choice to move into the interim mission to break the cycle of homelessness for men,
role as CEO.” women, and children, visit thelordsplace.org.
Stanley announced her retirement in March 2024. Her
servant leadership and indefatigable work ethic have been Business Spotlight on page 19

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