Melissa Burns Named Friends Together Executive Director

After 28 years as executive director at Friends Together, Judy Burns is stepping aside and letting a familiar and capable replacement take over.

Her daughter, Melissa, will assume the role as executive director, and she’s excited to get to work.

“I was making a new career move and this position opened up, and I interviewed for the position, and it was a perfect fit for me right now in my professional career,” said Melissa Burns.

Burns interviewed twice for the position and was recommended by the board to take over. Her mother Judy has full faith in her that she’ll do an excellent job.

“We want to make sure the legacy continues, so she comes to Friends Together with a huge skill set and experience that will really help us as we grow into the next generation of Friends Together,” said Judy Burns.

As for Judy, she’ll still be around friends together, but more so on her own terms now to help with programming and promotional items.

“The important thing is this is the right time to bring in a new executive director and to expand our team, so that we can reach the folks we really need to. I see this as just a win–win,” she said.

Melissa Burns knows she has quite the shoes to fill in replacing her mother, who advanced friends together to what it is today, but the belief in her from the board helps alleviate some of that pressure.

“They are wonderful, and as many people know, the board and volunteers, they are the backbone of this organization, so I completely trust them. I’m glad that they have faith in me to take this to the next part of Friends Together,” said Melissa.

Judy Burns will still be on for the next sixth months as the transitional period begins for Melissa Burns.