The Board of Directors of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity would like to announce a significant and exciting transition in our organization’s executive leadership.
Effective December 31, 2017, Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs will be retiring as the Executive Director, a position he has held since 2011. We express our tremendous gratitude for the leadership, vision and integrity that Dr. Cribbs has brought to the organizations during his tenure.
Dr. Cribbs helped to solidify the organization and its work in 3 regions of California: the Inland Valleys of Southern California (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties), Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay area, and expand its programmatic focus on issues of Immigrant Justice and reducing Mass Criminalization. We are deeply grateful to
Dr. Cribbs for the pathways he forged in the work of justice.
The Rev. Deborah Lee, an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, has been appointed to receive the baton and serve as the new executive director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity beginning January 1, 2018. Rev. Lee has been on staff of the organization since 2009 and for the last 3 years has been serving as the Senior Program Director working very closely with
Dr. Cribbs. “Deborah is more than ready to lead the Interfaith Movement into the future,” states Dr. Cribbs.
Rev. Lee comes to this position with more than 25 years of professional experience in community organizing, popular education and advocacy on issues of racial, economic and immigrant justice. Her innovative and passionate work growing the Bay Area Sanctuary network of over 30 congregations with the Interfaith Movement in the San Francisco Bay Area has earned her national and international recognition.
“This is such an important time for the voice, hope and power of faith communities who are engaged in transformative actions and who offer a moral vision of inclusivity and justice for our nation,” says Rev. Lee.
“I look forward to leading our wonderful staff and the many individuals, volunteers and congregations to end the suffering caused by mass incarceration, deportation and detention. With the support of our board of directors, donors, funders, long-term and new allies, we can help build communities where all can thrive.”
We are excited Rev. Lee will follow Dr. Cribbs’ passionate leadership and continue our work building faith-rooted solidarity, direct actions and advocacy in partnership with frontline communities dedicated to ending the criminalization of immigrants and people of color, and honoring the sacredness of each person.
Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity Board
Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs, Executive Director
Mr. Erik Olson-Fernandez, Chair
Ms. R. Terese May, Secretary
Rev. Eric Shafer, Treasurer
Mr. Affad Shaikh, Member
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Member
