Reflections of a CEO

As I prepare to leave Mutual Ground, Inc at the end of the month, I’ve been reflecting on what a privilege it has been to serve our community over these 23 years as an intern, legal advocate, Legal Advocacy Program Manager and, finally, as CEO.

The experiences I have had over the years in these roles throughout the organization have made me who I am today. People have been at the center of all of these experiences. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with so many incredibly amazing individuals.  Clients, co-workers, vendors, volunteers, donors, community members, and colleagues…it has been an absolute pleasure. Even in times of crisis we have had many amazing accomplishments as an organization, and we did it together.

Domestic violence, sexual violence and substance use disorders are extremely heavy subjects. Some of the things we see and hear at Mutual Ground, others only read about once in a while in the news. I have personally witnessed how the gravity of this work affects people in countless ways. Some, much like myself in my early 20’s, come into this work intent on saving the world only to find that the barriers society throws in the path to healing sometimes feel insurmountable. It has taken a lot of patience, time and perseverance to keep pushing forward to keep looking for ways to chip away at those barriers so that the people reaching out for help (which is the hardest first step) do not lose hope.

As I leave this field of work to find my next journey, I would like to remind the team of Board, staff and volunteers that every time you are able to find the strength to push through those barriers to healing through your work with Mutual Ground, you have taken another step toward positively changing the world we live in - one person at a time. I’m so incredibly proud of the team at Mutual Ground and can’t thank you all enough for your passion and commitment to our mission and the people in our community who need us. I am so excited for the next chapter at Mutual Ground. I will be standing at the sidelines supporting all of the new ideas, energy and steps taken to further the mission of an incredible organization that I have had the privilege to lead.

Written by
Michelle Meyer, MBA
Chief Executive Officer