FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8th, 2025

Contact: Michelle Slaybaugh

mslaybaugh@siecus.org

WASHINGTON, DC, April 8th, 2025 – SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change announced today that Christine Soyong Harley will be stepping down as President & CEO later this year. Harley, who has led the organization since 2018, will remain in the role until a successor is identified and will support the leadership transition process to ensure a smooth succession.

During her tenure, Harley has played a pivotal role in redefining SIECUS’s position as a national policy and advocacy leader in comprehensive sex education. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its federal and state advocacy, strengthened financial sustainability, and deepened its commitment to an intersectional approach that centers racial, reproductive, and LGBTQ+ justice.

“Serving as President & CEO of SIECUS has been an honor,” said Harley. “When I stepped into this role, the organization was looking to expand its impact in policy and advocacy. I am proud of all that we’ve accomplished together—rebuilding SIECUS as a stronger, more resilient organization that leads boldly in the fight for comprehensive, inclusive sex education.”

A Legacy of Growth and Advocacy

Under Harley’s leadership, SIECUS has achieved significant milestones, including:

• Expanding federal and state advocacy to combat restrictive policies and pass progressive sex education across the country.
• Strengthening the organization’s financial infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability with the establishment of a $3M endowment fund.
• Launching new initiatives including rebranding to “SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change”, co-initiating the rebrand of May as Sex Ed for All month, establishing the annual National Sex Ed Week of Action, and launching the annual Sex Ed on the Hill event.
• Deepening cross-sector coalition partnerships with over 60 state and movement-building organizations through the launch of the Sex Ed Policy Action Council.
• Elevating sex education as a social justice issue, positioning SIECUS as a leading advocacy voice aligned with reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice organizations.

“Christine has been an extraordinary leader, guiding SIECUS through a critical period of transformation,” said Caleb Arring, Chair of the SIECUS Board of Directors. “Her dedication to advancing comprehensive sex education and her commitment to intersectional advocacy have strengthened the organization and laid a solid foundation for future leadership.”

Following this news, SIECUS has announced the launch of a nationwide search for a new Executive Director. The search process, led by Kevin Chase Executive Search Group, will identify a dynamic leader to advance the organization’s mission of comprehensive sex education advocacy at a critical time in the fight for reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights.

SIECUS seeks a visionary leader who will build upon the organization’s policy and advocacy successes while continuing to integrate an intersectional approach to sex education that centers racial justice, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

“As we look toward the future, SIECUS is searching for a leader who is deeply committed to sex education advocacy and will continue driving policy change that ensures all young people and communities have access to inclusive, medically accurate, and affirming education,” said Caleb Arring, Chair of the SIECUS Board of Directors.

Search Process & Timeline

The Executive Director search will be national in scope, led by the Kevin Chase Search Group, and will seek diverse candidates with expertise in policy, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. SIECUS encourages interested candidates to apply or nominate potential leaders.

TO APPLY:

Inquiries, nominations, or applications (including a resume and cover letter framing interest and fit with this Recruitment Profile) can be sent confidently to search@kevinchasesearch.com. We are pleased to answer any questions or supply further information.

Kevin Chase Executive Search Group has been retained to lead this recruitment effort on behalf of SIECUS. SIECUS is an equal-opportunity employer that champions a diverse workforce and anti-racist principles and practices. KCESG and SIECUS do not discriminate on any basis, including sex, age, class, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, genetic information, marital status, physical or mental ability or disability, race, religion, sexual orientation.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Please send all applications, requests, and referrals to search@kevinchasesearch.com.

SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as a leading national voice for sex education since 1964, asserting that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. Through advocacy, policy and coalition building, SIECUS advances sex education as a vehicle for social change—where all people receive sex education, are affirmed in their identities, and have power to make decisions about their own health, pleasure, and wholeness.