New executive director takes over at Urban Alliance

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Urban Alliance has selected Terra Bautista to fill its Executive Director role.

Bautista is well-versed in the operations and mission of Urban Alliance, having served on the organization’s Board of Directors since 2017. She served as Board Secretary in 2018 and as Board Chair from 2020 until transitioning into her new role.

Former Executive Director Chris Pompey stepped down on Jan. 31 after leading the organization for nearly two years. Matt Luckas, a member of the Urban Alliance Board of Directors, has replaced Bautista as Board Chair.

“While Urban Alliance is sad to see Chris leave, we know our organization is in good hands moving forward with Terra,” said Luckas. “Her calling to serve others and support individuals in overcoming challenges is evident in her Board service as well as her past professional roles.”

“We look forward to further solidifying Urban Alliance’s impact on greater Kalamazoo under Terra’s leadership in this new capacity,” he said.

Prior to becoming Executive Director, Bautista previously served as the Maternal Child Health Program Supervisor for the Healthy Babies Healthy Start and 4Dad Fatherhood programs in Kalamazoo. There, she focused on promoting collaboration through community partnerships in order to decrease black infant mortality disparity in the county.

“I believe that every individual should feel valued in our community,” Bautista said. “That’s at the core of Urban Alliance’s work.

“I am eager to work closely with our Board of Directors to ensure our impact and sharpen Urban Alliance’s mission, vision, and goals as we collectively work with the community to build capacity around the issues that are impacting our community the most,” she said. “Alongside the entire Urban Alliance team, I look forward to Urban Alliance’s growth and expansion of services and partnerships and discovering innovative approaches to the work that we do.”

Originally from Holland, Mich., Bautista resides in Kalamazoo with her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Sciences from Western Michigan University and brings more than 20 years of community advocacy and outreach experience to her new role at Urban Alliance.

Bautista is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the organization, its staff, and its initiatives focused on combating gun violence, youth intervention, workforce development, and providing support services to varied populations such as those suffering from substance abuse issues, individuals experiencing homelessness, and more.

Urban Alliance serves as a partner of Hub ONE which, along with Prevention Works, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, serves as a collaborative nonprofit effort to create a shared system of infrastructure, resources, and community support to address the impact of inter-generational poverty in Kalamazoo.

Founded in 1999, Urban Alliance is located at 1009 East Stockbridge Avenue in the city’s Edison neighborhood. In 2020, the organization purchased the former United Methodist Church it has called home since 2015. The property has undergone a series of renovations that have allowed the organization to expand its services and offerings to the surrounding community.

To learn more about Urban Alliance, its services, or volunteer opportunities, visit urbanalliancekalamazoo.org, connect with the organization on Facebook, or call
(269) 348-0978.

Read the full article from Mlive.

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