INELDA NAMES NEW CEO – DOUG SIMPSON
INELDA’s Board of Trustees has named Doug Simpson as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2022. The leadership role was made available when INELDA co-founder and Executive Director Henry Fersko-Weiss announced his decision to step out of his full-time role at the end of the year. Doug was formerly INELDA’s Director of Operations and Finance and has been with the organization since 2019. He was chosen from a field of 200 applicants.
The Board unanimously selected Doug for the position, basing their decision on his past performance with INELDA, his demonstrated heart for the organization and its mission, and how his leadership has supported INELDA’s transition, vision, and teams. “We feel Doug embraces the essential elements of a solid leader for INELDA while also remaining humble in continued learning and growing in a leadership role with the organization,” their internal announcement read.
Doug brings to INELDA 25 years business operations experience holding leadership positions in global brands, striking a balance between insightful strategic sensibility, exceptional communication skills, and rich analytical business acumen. His passion for team development and employee satisfaction is a unifying thread woven through his career. “At my core, I believe that the development and engagement of the team is what drives an organization forward and allows us to achieve our goals,” Doug said. “I am eager to reflect on the history of INELDA while leading an outstanding team of individuals forward to deliver the organization’s mission and serving the Board of Trustees.”
MEET the CEO – Open Webinar
Learn more about Doug’s intentions for his leadership role and INELDA’s direction during a “Meet the CEO” webinar January 26th from 7 – 8:30, open to all. Registration for this event will open on January 13th and a link will be provided here on that date, as well as in our monthly newsletter, NOTES for the Journey. Following the event, a recording link will be available here.
DOUG SIMPSON’S BIO
Doug Simpson is an accomplished and multi-talented organizational leader with over 25 years experience launching and developing global brands in corporate and non-profit environments. With equal strengths in strategic thinking, communication, and business acumen, he is adept at orchestrating interdisciplinary teams to operate collaboratively to achieve business goals. Simpson brings a growth-oriented leadership approach to aligning efforts with broader corporate initiatives, cultivating a customer-oriented working environment, and maximizing ROI. He honed his unique combination of talents and experience working with Birchbox; Juicy Couture; Gap, Inc.; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Gucci America; and startup brands on successful retail ventures before turning to the non-profit sector. With a deep desire and commitment to end-of-life care, Simpson has been instrumental in the organizational growth and development of the non-profit International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) since 2019, first as a volunteer and soon as Director Operations & Finance. Today he is INELDA’s Chief Executive Officer. When not working to advance INELDA’s mission Simpson, his husband Raphael, and son MacArthur enjoy traveling, pizza, and legos amidst four-legged friends Zippy, Eddie, and Mugsy.