Board of directors begins search for new leader

April 27, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS – The Coburn Place board of directors has named former IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Chief Operating Officer Marilyn H. Kuhn interim CEO. Kuhn has been an organization development consultant since her retirement from IU last year and takes over after the resignation of former CEO Julia Kathary.

“Marilyn has the breadth of experience, skill and grace that is essential to guide the Coburn Place team through this transition,” says Board Chair Kathi Badertscher. “We are grateful for how far Julia has taken Coburn Place in her decade of service. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we look forward to another 25 years and beyond and wish Julia the best on her new path.”

According to Badertscher, the board of directors is searching for a permanent CEO who can solidify Coburn Place’s reputation as a survivor-centered best-practice leader in the domestic violence services field with a focus on diversity, inclusion and equity. “Marilyn is the ideal choice to lead the organization until we find the best person for this important role at Coburn Place and in the Indianapolis community,” she says.

Kuhn’s consulting practice focuses on organizational development, strategic planning, process improvements, leadership coaching, and team building. She was at the helm of the School of Philanthropy for eight years and also brings her valuable experience as community relations director for The Julian Center to Coburn Place.

“I look forward to working with the team at Coburn Place on their important mission to empower survivors,” says Kuhn. “They have done an excellent job despite the external challenges of the past year, and I am honored to have this opportunity to position them for success as they move into the organization’s next chapter.”

About Coburn Place
Coburn Place empowers survivors of interpersonal abuse and envisions a world where everyone may live free from interpersonal abuse. It is Indiana’s largest and most comprehensive provider of longer-term housing options for survivors. Coburn Place uniquely offers on-site transitional housing and community-based housing in a Domestic Violence Housing First approach to identify and eliminate housing barriers and improve survivors’ overall housing stability and well-being. It is a nationally recognized model program and has provided life-changing support to more than 4,000 adults and children since 1996. For more information, visit www.coburnplace.org.

Contact: Kim Easton, communications manager, kim@coburnplace.org