It is with a mix of sadness and extreme gratitude that the Board of Directors announces Dan Leal’s departure as Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County. Dan’s last day at the center will be August 25, 2017.
Since 2002, Dan’s leadership has been the driving force behind the success of the organization. We want to thank him for his tireless efforts on behalf of the 18,000 plus children affected by child abuse to whom the CACDC has provided support. Just a few of the Center’s accomplishments under Dan’s leadership include:
• Expanded capacity of CACDC to serve abused children with the completion of a Capital Campaign to build a 14,070 sq. ft. facility in Lewisville and the addition of an office in Denton,
• CACDC selected inaugural non-profit of the year by the Chambers of Commerce in Southern Denton County. CACDC received numerous other local and state awards and recognitions,
• Agency increased from 7 full-time staff and $458,000 annual budget to 22 full-time staff, 7 part-time staff and $2,200,000 budget.
• A 90% conviction rate of adult offenders by CACDC investigative team.
• Worked with Jenna Quinn and State Rep. Tan Parker on passing of Jenna’s Law, which served as the catalyst for Children’s Advocacy Centers in Texas to add education to their service delivery.
Our children are safer and the community more educated thanks to Dan and his team. Dan leaves the Center in an incredibly strong position both operationally and financially. While we will miss him and his inspiring leadership, we wish Dan the best of luck in his new role as Executive Director of Seedling Foundation, a non-profit agency in Austin providing mentoring for children of incarcerated parents.
The transition process and search to find a new CACDC Executive Director has begun and will be completed over the next few months. Obviously, our services and on-going capital campaign to expand the Lewisville Center will continue uninterrupted. An interim Director will be named shortly to ensure overlap before Dan’s departure, as well as lead the Center during this transition period.
Again, we cannot thank Dan enough for the passion, enthusiasm and dedication he has given the CACDC and the community over the last 15 years. He will be greatly missed by the staff, Board members, and the agencies we partner with to bring justice and healing to our children. We also want to thank Dan’s wife and family for their support, for without their support much of what Dan has accomplished would not have been possible. We look forward to following the success of his career and are hopeful and excited for the next chapter of the CACDC as we continue to support the children of our community.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Dan at (972) 538-9605 before August 25 or to Mimi Bishop, Development Director, at (972) 538-9612.
Sincerely,
Brian Hayduk
CACDC Board Chairman
