It is with gratitude and thanks that we announce the departure of our Managing Director, Honna Eichler. After nearly three years of working to increase the capacity of the forum and establishing sustainable internal processes, Eichler will conclude her leadership position on May 31, 2014. Benjamin Barer is assuming the role of Managing Editor and Esther Boyd is slated to become the new Communications Assistant in April.

“Being part of State of Formation these past four years, both as a Contributor and staff member, has been a truly a remarkable experience,” said Eichler. “I am grateful to the initiative’s advisors, my colleagues, fellow contributors, and readers for all working to make State of Formation what it is today. I am thrilled to see where it will go next.” Eichler plans to focus more her new position as Grants Manager for the Golden Apple Foundation in Chicago, IL.

As we said when our Founding Managing Director, Chris Steadman, transitioned from his role: we believe that a transition of leadership is firmly in line with the vision of this project. As a community and forum dedicated to housing and supporting emerging voices, State of Formation ought to provide opportunities for new voices to facilitate its progress.

In that respect, we are excited for the future of State of Formation. Our new Managing Editor, Benjamin Barer, enters this role after being on staff at State of Formation for the past year. During his time as Editor at Large, Barer reviewed all submitted posts to State of Formation and worked to host the first annual State of Formation Workshop at the American Academy of Religion. He also is employed at CIRCLE (the Center for Inter-Religious and Communal Leadership Education, jointly hosted by Andover Newton Theological School and Hebrew College) and the Center for Global Judaism, at Hebrew College.

“I am excited to be taking on more of a leadership role at State of Formation, a project that I find very fulfilling, and one with great potential for growth,” Said Barer. “State of Formation continues to offer a unique and exciting blend of passionate voices of emerging interfaith leaders from around the world, and I consider myself lucky to be a part of such a venture.”

Additionally, we are pleased to welcome Esther Boyd as the new Communications Assistant. Boyd is a humanist working in multifaith chaplaincy at Johns Hopkins University. She holds an M.A. in Religion and Literature from Yale Divinity School and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Colby College. “As Communications Assistant, I look forward to bringing the great work of State of Formation to students and scholars engaging in interfaith work around the world with enthusiasm, humor, and thoughtful reflection,” said Boyd. “I’m excited and honored to help take on this challenge as State of Formation moves forward.”