Backyard Growers has welcomed a new executive director who brings international development experience to the Gloucester-based nonprofit.
Julee Allen began her new position Aug. 3 and said “it means the world” to be the nonprofit’s newest leader.
“I have been aware of the work of Backyard Growers for years, never imagining that I could actually work for this organization,” Allen said. “I have been consistently impressed by its really thoughtful work in the community.”
The first five weeks as executive director have included getting through the remainder of the summer and early fall growing season. The period has included “extraordinary growth,” she said, and working with the school programs whose students are now harvesting this summer’s crop.
“We also had our big annual fundraiser which went really well. It was an extraordinary opportunity for me to meet supporters, old and new, and to get to know the Backyard Growers community,” Allen said.
Prior to joining the nonprofit, Allen spent 25 years working in the nonprofit sector, primarily in international education development.
Allen worked for Save the Children, an international nonprofit that works to improve children’s lives, for 13 years at its headquarters as well as in Haiti and Nepal. Allen also worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development.
During her four years in Haiti, Allen led the education sector portfolio for the nonprofit in the country; and in Nepal, she spent over four years as the nonprofit’s education director as well as the program and quality director.
“It was actually when we were in Haiti that we bought our house in Gloucester because we needed a home base in the U.S.,” she said.
The Chelsea native, who has family on the North Shore, spent summers on Cape Ann before ultimately deciding to live in Gloucester full time.
Moving forward, Allen said her goals as executive director are to work on an impact plan for the nonprofit over the next few months, finish this growing season and prepare for the next one, and continue to plan for the future.
Staff Writer Bobby Grady may be contacted at 978-675-2714 or bgrady@gloucestertimes.com.