Dear HCH,

As a valued member of our community, I want to share that after almost 20 years at the helm of the Holocaust Center for Humanity, I will be retiring effective June 2024.

Planning for this transition began several years ago when the Executive Committee of the Board and I started the thoughtful and rigorous process to prepare the organization for my retirement. We made important changes that have strengthened and readied the Center for this next step.

The Board formed a Search Task Force under the direction of former Board Chair, Lynne Smith. After vetting numerous search firms with national reach and expertise, the task force selected Kittleman to lead the search for a new CEO.

Together, we will ensure that the mission and values driving the Center will continue throughout the search process and transition to new leadership. I am confident that this change will lead to greater opportunities and growth for the Center. 

As I look ahead, I can’t help but acknowledge how far we've come. In 1992 I began my work with the Center as a volunteer. The organization was small and scrappy with a very long name and shared office space with the Jewish Federation. In spite of multiple challenges, we grew and I too grew. I am exceptionally grateful to our staff, volunteers, community partners, and especially the survivors and their families. Your dedication has made the Center the force for justice and empathy that it is today.

I have dedicated over 20 years to the Center and consider it my life’s work to preserve and share the lessons of the Holocaust in order to create a better future. I’ve always said that the struggle to end hate is one that every generation must fight. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to lead the Holocaust Center for Humanity in doing just that. My commitment to teaching this history and to our community will continue long after my retirement. This isn’t the closing of a book so much as the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Center and for me.

"Dee’s insight, empathy and innovative leadership have left an indelible mark on The Holocaust Center for Humanity, and the organization is in a strong position as we enter this new chapter. Her accomplishments and bold vision will continue to inspire our leadership team as we work to further The Center’s important mission.”

-Paul Bloom, Board President

Warmly,

Dee Simon

Chief Executive Officer

Holocaust Center for Humanity

206-582-3000

HolocaustCenterSeattle.org