Dear friends, colleagues, supporters and partners in the fight for children’s rights
As we approach Juvenile Law Center’s 50th Anniversary in 2025, we write to share — with a mix of wistfulness and excitement — that we will soon be undergoing a leadership transition to make room for the next generation of leaders at this extraordinary organization. Sue will be stepping down as Chief Executive Officer after nearly ten years and Marsha will be stepping down as Chief Legal Officer after decades of leadership at the organization she co-founded. Few of us get to live the life we are truly passionate about. That passion still burns for both of us, and the mission of Juvenile Law Center is as vital as ever, but it is time to pass the torch to new, visionary leaders.
The time is right. Sue, who joined us in 2015, always intended to retire so that new leadership could take the stage at the 50th Anniversary Celebration, scheduled for May 2, 2025 (save the date!). Sue plans to stay on through December 2024. Juvenile Law Center’s Board of Directors is finalizing the CEO search process and hopes to announce a new leader before the end of this year.
Marsha co-founded Juvenile Law Center in 1975 with Bob Schwartz and their Temple Law School classmates, Judy Chomsky and Phil Margolis, and has spent nearly her entire career with Juvenile Law Center. In what Marsha describes as a “pinch me moment,” it is truly amazing to look back over all that Juvenile Law Center has accomplished these past five decades. Our 50th Anniversary is the perfect time to celebrate both Juvenile Law Center and Marsha’s amazing career which are inextricably intertwined. Marsha will continue to work with Juvenile Law Center through December 2025 - one additional year following Sue’s departure. Marsha has no plans (yet!) to “retire,” and is looking forward to planning her next chapter.
Our office has a very special place in our hearts. It is the privilege of a lifetime to lead Juvenile Law Center and we could not be prouder of our work and of our team. As we begin to take our leave, we know that Juvenile Law Center’s future — and the future of America’s system-involved children on whose behalf we have fought so tirelessly — will be in good hands. We look back at our successes with pride – but we know that our staff and board are more than ready to add to that history. We look forward to continuing to lead the office during this transition and will always be available to assist Juvenile Law Center in whatever ways we can.
Thank you for all of the ways you have supported Juvenile Law Center. We know we can continue to count on you as Juvenile Law Center embarks on this next chapter.
With gratitude for the opportunity to lead Juvenile Law Center, appreciation for the community that has worked alongside us, joy for our victories and despair for those we could not help, and excitement for the future,
Onward!
Susan Vivian Mangold Marsha L. Levick
CEO, Juvenile Law Center Chief Legal Officer, Juvenile Law Center
