Julie Baumgardner
First Things First Chairman of the Board Mike Webb announced Wednesday that long-time CEO
Julie Baumgardner will be stepping down in January. Ms. Baumgardner has accepted a leadership position with the WinShape Foundation.
“Julie has been a phenomenal leader for FTF for over 23 years and will be greatly missed,” said Mr.
Webb. “Her dedication to serving the Chattanooga community and efforts to equip people at home and in the workplace with the tools they need to grow healthy, thriving relationships will leave a positive and lasting legacy. But as with any great leader, Julie has also prepared the organization and her excellent team to move forward with extraordinary momentum.”
The FTF board of trustees has named FTF’s Communications Director Lauren Hall to serve as interim CEO while a national search is conducted. The search will include internal and external candidates. “Ms. Hall’s leadership in FTF’s successful adaptation to meet people’s relationship needs in the midst of the pandemic has been invaluable,” Mr. Webb said. “We believe Lauren’s proven skills, experience and significant contributions to our organization's growth will ease the transition and continue to further the mission of First Things First.” Prior to joining FTF in 2015, Hall worked for The Johnson Group.
A brief look at recent numbers shows the wisdom of FTF’s strategic moves. In 2019, First Things First engaged with 23,710 people through in-person classes and events. In 2020, the diligent work of FTF’s strong team of professionals converted those resources to engage with more than 4,425,171 unique visitors on their digital platforms and expand their reach to the national stage.
"Chattanooga has been, and will always be, our first priority," said Ms. Baumgardner. “The isolation
created by the pandemic made it imperative to creatively expand our online relationship resources. Though we look forward to the day we can meet in person, there is no denying that people are craving the connection and relationship tools we can provide through our website and social media outlets.”
Departing from the well-known community resource, Ms. Baumgardner said, “I'm leaving what's grown from a good idea and a staff of two people into a solid organization that is able to serve the community and now, the world. I didn’t seek or anticipate this new opportunity, but after much prayer and consideration, I am excited to take on this new challenge."
Lauren Hall