Some Big Changes @ SAiF...
Date of Release: September 8, 2022
SAiF Board of Directors
St Albert, Alberta
Photo by: CHRIS COLBOURNE/St. Albert Gazette
The Stop Abuse in Families (SAiF) Society Board of Directors are taking this opportunity to formally announce that our current Executive Director, Areni Kelleppan, will be leaving the organization as of October 14, 2022.
Areni has provided exceptional leadership to the SAiF Society during her tenure which has resulted in a markedly stronger and more responsive organization. Her work has been instrumental in building financial resilience, operational efficiency, and strengthening evidence-based programming to support local families impacted by family violence. Never has the need been greater for our services and thanks to Areni's leadership, and the talents of the SAiF team, SAiF has been able to meet those needs.
Areni has also been a driving force in raising SAiF's profile and visibility. During her tenure as Executive Director, the Society received a number of awards including the Government of Alberta's Inspiration Award, the St Albert Chamber of Commerce's Community Stewardship Award, and the St Albert Gazette's Readers' Choice Award. In response to Covid-19 limitations to fundraising, Areni launched two new events during the pandemic that helped raise over $50,000 in their initial year. She has spearheaded popular social media campaigns on healthy relationships, started our child play therapy service, initiated the new family counselling program, brought in the WiseGuyz educational program, and worked to restore group programs. Areni also helped to initiate SAiF's first ever endowment fund as a foundation to building its long-term sustainability.
Areni will be the first to say that this was a team effort - Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and a range of stakeholders that have helped SAiF to achieve mighty things for such a small organization. Nonetheless over the last three and a half years, Areni has ensured that SAiF consistently and actively championed its vision in working towards a society free of abuse. We have no doubt that Areni will continue to make an impact wherever she goes and we are grateful to her for her incredible work ethic and ability to positively engage with individuals and organizations that help keep SAiF a beacon for all those impacted by family violence.
The Board is currently conducting a search for SAiF's next Executive Director. Updates will be posted to SAiF's Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. For more information on this recruitment effort, please contact Denyse Michelutti by email at dpmich@hotmail.com.
Inquiries regarding SAiF’s leadership transition can be directed to Areni Kelleppan, Executive Director, via email areni@saifsociety.ca until October 14, 2022. You may also choose to direct your inquiries to our Board of Directors' representative, Thomas Holmes, at tjnholmes@gmail.com.