Britepaths Names Abra Kurt Executive Director
We are pleased to announce that Abra Kurt will assume the position of Executive Director effective November 1, 2024.
In early 2023, Kurt joined Britepaths as development director, leading organizational fundraising, event planning, and communications strategy. Prior to her work with Britepaths, Kurt ran her own nonprofit consulting practice and had served as chief development + communications officer at a Washington, D.C.-based women’s reentry organization. In the private sector, Kurt managed Mid-Atlantic corporate social responsibility communications for a Fortune 500 financial services company and worked with high-profile clients through a boutique public relations firm. She has also served as an adjunct professor of media relations and messaging and on several nonprofit boards and advisory committees, contributing to a diverse range of local and national causes.
Kurt succeeds Lisa Whetzel, who is retiring after 17 years as executive director. Under Whetzel’s leadership, Britepaths expanded programming to align with a more holistic approach to social services, including adding workforce development and financial empowerment training. She also led a rebranding of the organization in 2016, to better reflect its mission and oversaw the distribution of $7 million in emergency financial assistance during the pandemic. Earlier this year, Britepaths’ board of directors partnered with Good Insight, an executive search firm with an exclusive focus on mission-driven organizations, to conduct the search for Whetzel’s successor. Whetzel will serve as an executive consultant to Britepaths through the remainder of the year.
“At the culmination of our milestone 40th anniversary year, we are thrilled to elevate Abra to the role of Executive Director. Alongside her history of nonprofit leadership and strategic and business acumen, Abra brings a passion for social justice work and growth-oriented changemaking,” said Karen Wheeler, board president. “We are deeply grateful to Lisa for her years of dedication and commendable service. She is a true pillar of the Fairfax community and has shaped Britepaths’ legacy of trusted relationships with state and local government, social service agencies, and nonprofit partners.”
A visionary and analytical leader, Kurt plans to build on Britepaths’ success while continuing to strengthen business practices, enhance operational impact and outcomes, and position the organization to scale its programs and services.
“Our theme this year has been ‘Stronger Today, Brighter Tomorrow,’ and Abra is the right leader at the right time to carry Britepaths forward and into the future,” said Wheeler.
