RMMFI’s North Star begins with the belief that life circumstances are real and sometimes overwhelming, but they should not determine what you can do in the present or be in the future. This applies not only to the entrepreneurs we serve but also to our team.
Today, we are announcing that Rob Smith, RMMFI Co-Founder and CEO, will be retiring on February 15. As some of you know, Rob’s wife passed away unexpectedly in November. In order to best support his 7-year-old son and ensure that RMMFI receives the full attention it deserves, Rob has decided that the best thing will be for him to step away and focus on being a full-time dad.
Jessica Sveen, our current Director of Operations, will be stepping in as Interim CEO with the full support of Rob, the staff, and RMMFI’s Board of Directors. Many of you already know Jessica well. She has been with RMMFI for over six years, has held nearly every role in the organization, and has been a central part in developing RMMFI’s incredibly strong culture and operations systems.
“It’s been a privilege to learn from Rob’s example as a leader and a friend, and I’m humbled and thrilled to lead RMMFI in this new era of growth for the organization. Over the past 6.5 years, I have witnessed the RMMFI community to be a strong, resilient, innovative, and inclusive space for all our stakeholders. We believe people are valuable and amazing! From our staff to our entrepreneurs, volunteers, donors, and partners, we create the space for everyone to recognize their unique potential through the power of entrepreneurship. Our heartbeat continues to be for our entrepreneurs, who are leading the way and have positioned their businesses to create lasting change and impact in their communities and families.”
Later this year, the Board of Directors will begin the search for a full-time CEO through an open, equitable, and inclusive hiring process. Our goal is to have someone named by the end of our fiscal year in September, and we will make sure to keep our community updated and engaged throughout the process.
This transition comes at a time of strength and growth for the organization – culturally, financially, and strategically. While Rob will certainly be missed by all, we are confident that the foundation he and many others have laid will allow RMMFI to continue on that trajectory and create an ever-greater impact in the communities we serve.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jessica at jessica@rmmfi.org or 720-314-9631. If you would like to share any thoughts with Rob, he can be reached at rob@rmmfi.org until February 15.
