The Second Step Hires A New Executive Director

Newton Resident Sarah Perry to Build Agency’s Capacity, Increase Revenue and Serve Survivors of Domestic Violence

The board of directors of The Second Step, Inc, a Newton-based non-profit organization providing comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Perry as the agency’s next executive director, only the third in the organization’s 21-year history.

Perry’s depth of expertise in strategic planning, capacity building, partnership creation, revenue generation, and organizational growth position her to lead the agency and leverage new opportunities as the economy begins to rebound.  With a 20-year track record of success and experience as an executive director at Harvard Business School Community Action Partners, as a managing director at New Sector Alliance, and as a director of civic and social enterprise with City Year, Perry is poised to lead The Second Step into its third decade.   

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have someone with Sarah’s breadth of skills and commitment to social justice as our next leader,” said Sharon Johnson, president of The Second Step board of directors. “The Second Step, our community and most of all the families we serve will benefit from her leadership.”

Perry most recently served as the executive director of the Harvard Business School Community Action Partners (CAP), an organization that provides pro bono performance improvement services to Boston-area non-profits. During her combined five-year tenure at CAP, she made CAP financially self-sufficient and doubled the number of organizations served. Perry has experience leading boards and personal commitment to helping non-profits agencies in the community, having served on numerous local and national boards, including Combined Jewish Philanthropies - Women’s Philanthropy, The Jewish Women’s Archive, the Peirce Elementary School PTO and many others.

“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to sustain the excellent work of The Second Step, and to lead the organization into its third decade,” said Sarah Perry. “We will continue to focus on our core mission of providing critically-needed services to survivors of domestic violence, while positioning the organization for the long-term by sharpening our strategic priorities, strengthening our internal capacity, and expanding our revenue base.  I look forward to working with the staff, the board, our supporters and the entire community to further our important work.”     

As a co-founder and managing director of Community Wealth Ventures (CWV), a for-profit subsidiary of Share Our Strength, that helps non-profit organizations become more financially self-sustaining by generating new revenue streams, Perry brings years of experience influencing both non-profits and corporations to think differently about market-based approaches to their social sector activity. CWV today employs 20 people and generates significant annual profits to further Share Our Strength's anti-hunger and poverty work. Prior to her leadership at CWV, Perry worked as an associate at the management consulting firms McKinsey & Company and L | E | K Consulting.

Perry begins her role as executive director in June, 2013.  Previously, the organization was led by Newton resident Roberta Rosenberg, who retired after five years as executive director, and Elisabeth Kirsch, who was the agency’s first executive director.  Since October, the agency has been led by Andrea Shapiro, who has served as interim executive director and played a significant role in readying The Second Step for the next leader.

Perry resides in Newton with her husband and three children.  She is a graduate of Yale University, and has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

About The Second Step

Founded in Newton in 1992, The Second Step provides comprehensive programs and services to survivors of domestic violence that address the aftermath of abuse and helps survivors achieve new possibilities. The Second Step offers transitional housing, advocacy, safety planning, mentoring, children’s programs, legal case management, and an array of supportive services for families transitioning away from abuse. The Second Step works to empower survivors over the long term—for as long as needed as they rebuild their lives. Each year, The Second Step helps transform the lives of 200 survivors and their children. Some still live with their abusers, some live with their children in our communal residences, and the majority live independently. For more information, or to receive support for a survivor, volunteer or to make a donation, please visit the agency’s website at www.thesecondstep.org  or call 617-965-3999.