WATERTOWN, NY — The Board of Directors of the Watertown Urban Mission is excited to announce that Dawn M. Cole, Deputy Director and Comptroller of Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County (CAPC), has been selected to become the Mission’s seventh Executive Director in the fifty year history of the organization.
During the last two months, the Board has conducted a thorough search, reviewing a large number of applications and interviewing several strong candidates. Ms. Cole’s wealth of experience in the not-for-profit world of Watertown, and particularly her experience serving individuals in need of help and support, makes her the ideal candidate to lead the Mission in the years to come.
Ms. Cole has served as Deputy Director and Comptroller of CAPC since 2010. Prior to that, Ms. Cole worked in Marketing at Car-Freshner Corporation and with the 1000 Islands Tourism Council. Ms. Cole also served in not-for-profit leadership roles at Trinity Episcopal Church, Jefferson Community College Foundation, and WPBS-TV. “Dawn Cole’s deep roots in the Watertown community, her experience in the not-for-profit world, and her passion for serving those in need of assistance will serve her well in her new role at the Mission,” said Stephen Todd, President of the Watertown Urban Mission Board.
“We are thrilled to have Dawn join us at the Mission, and we are confident that she will help us to maintain the positive momentum we have enjoyed.”
“Watertown Urban Mission has a long history of uniting the community to offer support and fellowship to our friends and neighbors in need,” said Ms. Cole. “I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity and look forward to working with the Mission’s many stakeholders to build resources that stabilize individuals and strengthen the community.”
Ms. Cole will succeed Joanna Loomis, who left the Mission on September 14 for a new role with the North Country Initiative. The Watertown Urban Mission Board and community are deeply grateful to Ms. Loomis for her strong leadership of the Mission during her tenure as Executive Director, and we look forward to a smooth transition as Ms. Cole takes the helm in November and continues the positive momentum the Mission has enjoyed in the last several years.
During the interim period, Dr. Richard Halpin is providing superb leadership of the Mission as Interim Executive Director, and the Board and Mission community are deeply grateful to Dr. Halpin for his help in that capacity.
