KATHY CALLORI

With Amity as her inspiration, guide, and mentor, Kathy Callori, SSN's first paid Executive Director, is highly qualified to lead the organization. With a twelve-year history as a straight spouse, she also brings the skills and insights of many years of financial and operational work.

Kathy has been involved with SSN since 1995 as a member of several face-to-face and online groups. For the past five years, she has moderated a very active NJ group that has provided many volunteers for SSN's work. She served for three years as Secretary of the SSN Board of Directors, stepping down in 2005 when offered the position of the first SSN Operations Director. She became Deputy Executive Director in February 2006 and served in that capacity until her present promotion. “SSN has meant so much to me,” Kathy says, “that I'm committed to give back what was so freely given to me. I want to make sure the organization will be there for years to come for anyone who needs it.”

Developing her financial, organizational, and leadership skills in many areas, Kathy compiled and reported statistics for the State of New Jersey's Employment Division. Prior to her current position as Office manager/Bookkeeper for an architectural firm, she was director of a local non-profit nursery school. She has also volunteered with many local organizations, such as serving as Treasurer for the PTO at her children's school, helping to establish and organize the first town soccer and softball leagues, promoting the alcohol free school Project Graduation, and now serving on the non-profit boards of Indian Field Association and Curiosity Shop.

As Executive Director, Kathy will ensure that SSN's mission of reaching out, healing and building bridges is being met. Working with the Founder, the Board President, and the Board of Directors, she will continue to establish SSN objectives and direct all aspects of operations. She will develop programs of support, education and advocacy that address SSN's mission and will supervise staff implementation of these programs. She will draft the annual budget for board approval, administer expenditures, and prepare progress reports for the Board of Directors and public presentations.

Kathy will also work with the founder to continue collaboration with other non-profits in furthering the mission of SSN and to develvop and expand public relations activities. Finally, yet of utmost importance, she will be heavily involved in fundraising, working with the Founder, Board Fundraising Committee, and Development consultants to double the funds raised so that SSN can maintain its current services and grow to meet the increasing needs of straight spouses or partners and their families.

Asked how she feels about taking the helm of SSN as it moves to the next level of its growth, she replies with a smile “ I look forward to the challenge ahead of me and moving the organization forward.”