ProAct Indy Makes Executive Changes
Derrin Slack (photo courtesy of ProAct Indy)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe board of directors for Indianapolis-based nonprofit ProAct Indy has appointed founder Derrin Slack chief executive officer. Additionally, the board has selected Faren Jones as the organizations’ new director of operations.
Slack is expected to take the reins as CEO on April 1, succeeding Pitt Thompson. Slack previously served as CEO, however he stepped down in 2019, citing operational and management challenges as the nonprofit scaled its operations. He continued with ProAct as chief program officer.
“At the time, in order to ensure the success and sustainability of the organization, I knew that I needed to either engage myself in leadership development activities and get the right mentors around me to grow as a confident leader, or I needed to move on and get out of the way – I chose the former,” Slack said. “I needed to be in a position of learning, and I am incredibly grateful to our board of directors and Pitt Thompson for their personal sacrifice to mentor me, teach me, and prepare me to assume the role of CEO again.”
Thompson will step down and serve as board chair for ProAct, overseeing governance, accountability and financial integrity.
Faren Jones has previous nonprofit experience with organizations such as Art With a Heart Indianapolis and the IU Health Foundation. ProAct says Jones is known for “having a high standard of ethics, accomplishing any task at hand, and effectively leading teams of varying abilities.”
ProAct Indy aims to combat poverty and racism in Indianapolis by connecting schools, businesses and nonprofits “to empower our youth and better serve our community.”