Leadership Transition at Community Forward SF: A New Chapter of Growth

Dear Friend,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share some significant news regarding the leadership of Community Forward SF. After nearly six years of service, Kara Zordel has stepped down from her role as Chief Executive Officer.

Kara’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing our mission to provide housing and care to the most vulnerable in San Francisco. Under her stewardship, we have expanded services, tripled our budget, built an incredible leadership team, and raised wages for frontline staff—all while staying true to our commitment to radical hospitality and compassionate care.

Below you’ll see a letter from Kara reflecting on her tenure and expressing her gratitude to our community for its support throughout this time of transformation.

Looking to the Future

We recognize that change can bring uncertainty, but I want to assure you that we are fully committed to a smooth and positive transition. In order to ensure continued stability and momentum, the board has decided to implement a co-leadership model, elevating two of the organization’s existing leaders, Sammie Rayner and John Uselman, to share the role as Co-CEOs.

Sammie and John each bring unique strengths to Community Forward SF. Sammie Rayner, who has most recently served as Chief Impact Officer and led the path toward expansion of our women’s services, will bring her vision and energy to continue growing Community Forward’s external fundraising and public advocacy efforts. John Uselman, who has served as our Chief Financial Officer for over five years, brings not only his years of experience in finance but also a deep understanding of our operations and genuine passion for our mission.

Throughout this transition, the core of what makes Community Forward SF unique—our focus on supportive housing, women’s services, and medical and behavioral health care—will continue without interruption. Our team remains as dedicated as ever to providing high-quality care to San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents. In fact, we see this moment as an opportunity to build on the strong foundation Kara and our team have created.

We are incredibly grateful for your continued partnership, which has been vital in helping us serve our community. Should you have any questions about this transition, I invite you to reach out to me directly. Your trust and support are what make our work possible, and we look forward to embarking on this new chapter together.

Warm regards,
Rose Bloomin
Chair, Board of Directors
Community Forward SF

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Dear Community Forward SF Supporters,

As I step down from my role as Chief Executive Officer of Community Forward SF, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared.

Over the past six years, we have grown tremendously as an organization. Together, we tripled our budget, raised salaries for our frontline staff, and expanded our services to ensure we are meeting the complex needs of San Francisco’s unhoused population, all in the face of a global pandemic. Our approach to radical hospitality and care has allowed us to make a meaningful impact, particularly in supportive housing, women’s services, and medical/behavioral health services.

While I will be stepping away from this leadership role, I leave confident in the team we’ve built and the vision we’ve set for the future. The resilience and dedication I have witnessed from our staff, board, and partners have been nothing short of inspiring. I know that Community Forward SF will continue to thrive and grow in its mission to serve those who need us most.

As we transition leadership, our focus on launching San Francisco’s first Women’s Center remains a priority, and the board and leadership are committed to maintaining our momentum.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you—our partners, funders, and community members—who have supported our work and made it possible to serve so many in need. It has been my honor to lead this remarkable organization, and I am excited to see what the future holds for Community Forward SF.

Thank you for your partnership and trust. The work we do together is essential, and I look forward to supporting the organization in its next chapter.

It takes us all,
Kara Zordel