501 Commons Welcomes Pat McCowan as Interim Executive Director

Dear 501 Commons Community,

First and foremost: thank you. The generosity, partnership, and trust you have extended to 501 Commons — especially through this period of transition — have made everything that follows possible. We are deeply grateful.

Thanks to the steadfast support of our donors, funders, nonprofit partners, clients, and Executive Service Corps members, 501 Commons is still delivering on its mission and serving our community. That continuity is a testament to you — and to the strength of this community.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to share that Pat McCowan has been appointed as Interim Executive Director of 501 Commons. Pat is the Founder and Principal of Xanthus Nonprofit Consulting and brings extensive experience as both an executive director and board chair, along with advanced degrees in nonprofit leadership and certifications in interim executive leadership and board consulting. She is widely recognized for her ability to strengthen nonprofits through shared vision, capacity building, succession planning, and cross-sector collaboration — and her commitment to building a more just and equitable world is at the heart of everything she does. Pat began engaging with our community on April 27, 2026, and we are genuinely excited to welcome her.

We are also grateful to board member Marc Garcia, who stepped off the board in September 2025 to provide hands-on operational leadership at a critical moment. Marc led with steadiness, integrity, and clarity, and it was the generosity of our donors and supporters that gave him the footing to keep the organization stable and forward-focused. We are pleased that he will return to the Board.

Our sincere appreciation also goes to the members of the Executive Recruitment Steering Committee — Kevin Sheets, Peg Hunt, and Diane St. John — who gave their time and care to a thorough, values-driven search process. Their commitment to finding a leader well-aligned with our mission made all the difference.

At our core, 501 Commons exists so that nonprofits can better serve their communities. That work belongs to all of us — and it moves forward because of you. Your continued support is critical to sustaining this work.

With appreciation on behalf of the 501 Commons Board of Directors,

Richard N. Starnes
Board President, 501 Commons