(ARLINGTON, VA) July 1, 2019 — The Student Conservation Association (SCA) today announced that after five years of service as president and chief executive officer, Jaime Berman Matyas has stepped down to pursue other opportunities.
SCA Board Chairman Bob Unsworth thanked Jaime for her tireless efforts on behalf of the organization, and announced that Kathy Bonavist has been named interim SCA president and CEO. Ms. Bonavist, who has served on the SCA board of directors for the past two years, brings two decades of relevant expertise to her new role.
As a consultant, she has worked with Ruffalo Noel Levitz, the nation’s leading higher education consulting firm, and has served in leadership roles with numerous academic institutions, specializing in managing organizations through transition and cultural shifts. Her success in facilitating organizational change, strategic planning, and repositioning organizations in a competitive marketplace are valuable proficiencies for this interim appointment.
“With her extensive background in organizational management and serving young adults, Kathy is superbly qualified to take on these important role,” Mr. Unsworth states. “Additionally, I and the entire board have full faith in the capabilities of SCA’s dedicated professional staff. We are committed to ensuring SCA’s organizational continuity and effectiveness as our search for a new CEO takes place.”
Given her new duties, Ms. Bonavist has taken a leave of absence from the SCA board. She is working with colleagues at Albright College to transition from her current responsibilities there.
Mr. Unsworth indicates the SCA board has formed a search committee to work with an executive search firm.
