by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Many may know that the I.M. Sulzbacher Center’s President and CEO Sherry Burns has resigned, but she has much more than just two weeks to pack up her office, say her goodbyes and finish what she came to do.
Burns handed in her resignation as the Sulzbacher Center’s president and CEO in May. More than two weeks have passed, so why hasn’t she left yet?
“I will be here until early October or later if the board needs me,” said Burns. “I don’t think it will take more than a couple of months to find my replacement.”
The Sulzbacher Center’s board of directors has appointed a committee to search for Burns’ successor and Burns was invited to serve on the search committee. The committee is in the process of putting an ad together, but Burns said they have already received some unsolicited applications.
“I am confident they will have a wide range of individuals to chose from,” said Burns. “It (the job) is open to anyone at this point.”
Burns added that she has not recommended anyone for the position.
Julia Taylor, current chairman of the board of directors, said the board thought it was important to have Burns on the search committee because of her expertise.
“She knows better than anyone what is involved in this position,” said Taylor.
She added that Burns put the board in a perfect position to search for her successor.
“She put us in a wonderful situation. Usually people leave very quickly, but she (Burns) has been very flexible with us,” she said. “We are very grateful she gave us time to go through this process.
“With everything in order, I think it will be a very positive transition.”
The board of directors is looking for a leader and someone with vision to take Burns’ place.
“If you have leadership skills and can manage people, you will definitely be a strong candidate,” said Taylor. “You have to really believe in the mission and have a great big heart.”
Like Burns, Taylor said she is confident they will find her successor over the next few months.
“I really can’t imagine we won’t find someone by then,” said Taylor. “Burns showed us we need a leader and someone with a vision who can come in and bring it to the next level like Sherry did.”
Burns does not have a specific last day, but she said once the board has chosen her successor and they feel secure, it will be time for her to leave.
“I have a timetable set in my head,” she said. “I love this place and I will stay longer if needed, but I don’t think it will take longer than a couple of months.
“I want to make sure the board has plenty of time to find someone with a heart for this kind of work.”
Burns added that it would have been unfair to her successor if they came to the Sulzbacher Center before Transformations because it is such a big undertaking. As a result, she and the board decided October would be the ideal time for her successor to take the reins.
From the time she handed in her resignation to the day she leaves, Burns said it will be business as usual at the Sulzbacher Center. They are currently working on the strategic plan and preparing for their annual meeting at the end of the month.
“We are in the thick of planning for Transformations, our biggest fundraiser, and we are working on our holiday card campaign,” she said. “Our new buildings are open and now we are looking at restoring the shelter.”
When asked why she thought after nearly four years at the center, this was the right time, Burns said the center was at a very good place right now.
“If there was ever a time, this seemed like a good time,” said Burns. “I’ve accomplished the goals I set, the buildings are open and we have the right staff.”
Burns will turn 60 this summer and she can’t complain about where her life has taken her.
“I’ve had a wonderful career and I enjoyed my career at the center, but I think there is something else I need to do,” she said. “This has been one of the greatest privileges I ever had — working with people who want to help and the people who need help.
“I was transformed by the experience.”
So what are her plans after she has left the Sulzbacher Center?
“I am taking time off to refurbish a farm house on the eastern shore of Virginia,” she said. “I really never stopped working for 45 years.
“It is time for a time out.”
Burns lived in the area before and is looking forward to going back.
“I am going to reconnect with an area that I have loved for many years and reconnect with friends,” she said.
The house, she said is 150 years old and “nothing fancy.”