The Lighthouse board of directors has appointedTyra Parker as it the nonprofit’s new Executive Director. Tyra comes most recently from the Weinberg Housing and Resource Center in Baltimore where she served as Director. She brings more than 20 years of non-profit management experience to her important leadership role here with us.
Board president Susan Taylor served on the committee to appoint a new Executive Director to follow Elizabeth Kinney, who is taking on a new and exciting role at The Light House as President of Social Enterprise. A visionary leader from the start, Elizabeth brought The Light House from its former home at 206 West Street to the 24,000 square foot homelessness prevention and support center we have at 10 Hudson Street today. Elizabeth is now spearheading the opening of The Light House Bistro, a 50 seat restaurant at the site of the old shelter, which will serve our community by providing employment and valuable on-the-job experience to graduates of our B.E.S.T. (Building Employment Success Training) culinary arts program.
Finding the right person to build on the work Elizabeth has done and take The Light House to the next level was a daunting task. The Search Committee received many qualified applicants but immediately knew the search was over when they met Tyra. Tyra’s warmth, experience, vision and commitment to our mission was apparent from the start. She truly has a heart for people, especially those experiencing homelessness, and her leadership and management skills are just what we need at The Light House at this time.
The directors invite the community to join them in welcoming Tyra and this exciting new chapter in the life of The Light House. With your support, we will continue to serve those in our community most in need, with programs, services, housing, and employment. We would love to introduce you to Tyra in person, so please stop by 10 Hudson Street or contact her directly to arrange a visit. And don’t forget to check out The Bistro!