Deborah Weinstein, the Coalition on Human Needs’ executive director for more than two decades, has informed CHN’s Board of Directors and staff that she plans to retire at the end of June, 2026. 

“Serving the Coalition on Human Needs has been the highlight of my career, and I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to pursue CHN’s vital goals of social and economic justice by working together with the dedicated advocates who make up the human needs community,” said Weinstein. “CHN’s staff is tireless in bringing together advocates to take meaningful steps towards reducing poverty and hunger, increasing access to health care, education, and good jobs, and building communities of care and justice. Our staff is small, but their effectiveness even in tough times gives me complete confidence that CHN will only gain strength in the years to come.” 

“The CHN Board, staff, and community are indebted to Debbie for her stalwart leadership of CHN over the years,” said CHN Board Chair Ellen Teller. “She inspires, energizes, and charts an advocacy course for us all. Her work at CHN will enable her successor to hit the ground running and continue the important advocacy work that she and her team has established.” 

A search committee has been formed from CHN’s Board of Directors, member organizations and CHN’s staff to conduct a national search for the next executive director. The search committee will be assisted by Corrine Yu, who had formerly represented The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights as the Vice Chair of CHN’s Board, and is now acting as a consultant. “CHN’s Board is grateful that Corrine Yu will help with the extensive search for a new executive director,” said Board Chair Ellen Teller. “Her long familiarity and support for CHN and the community of advocates it serves makes her an ideal partner to carry out an effective search.” 

“In the difficult times we now face, everyone should be assured that CHN will continue its work with unflagging dedication,” said Weinstein. “We know every day requires us to educate more and more people throughout the country about the consequences of cuts and the ways to fight back. And every day we see more people engaged and seeking ways to work together. The Coalition on Human Needs will be there to support that work.” 

CHN will circulate information for potential candidates starting in November. Those seeking information related to the search may send inquiries to jobs@chn.org.