An Arc of service: Leadership changing, but mission endures

After more than a decade at the helm, Minute Man Arc CEO Jean Goldsberry is stepping down this month, with Kimberlee Schumacher set to take over April 27.

Goldsberry, who has guided the non-profit’s work with individuals with disabilities for 13 years, said the decision comes after a long career in the field.

“It’s time for a new leader to come in,” she said, adding that at 76, she is “well past” regular retirement age.

“It absolutely is bittersweet to walk away,” Goldsberry said. “I have just felt so blessed to take this position and work here. The staff are just an amazing group of people who truly care about the people we serve.”

Goldsberry said that during her tenure, the organization nearly doubled in size by adding “group homes [and] hugely expanded the number of people that we serve.”

“Everything has grown,” she said. 

She said the work has long been guided by the people Arc serves, and as she prepared to step away, she expressed confidence in her successor to listen to them as well.

Building off the work

Schumacher said the organization’s mission drew her to the role.

“I have always been well aware of the great reputation of the Arc and the important work they do for supporting individuals with disabilities and their families,” she said. 

She comes to the job with 20 years of experience with organizations like Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Epilepsy Foundation New England, and Boston Society for Architecture. 

She also brings a personal connection. “It’s a mission that speaks to me,” Schumacher said. “I have a daughter with disabilities and took advantage of some of the same services that the Arc offers.” 

Schumacher said her initial focus will be on continuity.

“My priority is really to build off of the great work that Jean has been doing,” Schumacher said, “and really take time to listen and learn from the staff and also the participants and residents and the families we serve.”

She said she also wants to focus on shifting some funding away from unstable federal government sources to more local ones. 

“The priority is really understanding and meeting with our funding partners to understand communal priorities,” she said, “and the available funding resources to meet those priorities.”

Schumacher said she’s ready to fill the role Goldsberry is leaving behind. 

“I have an open-door policy when it comes to everyone,” she said. “I look forward to meeting as many community members as possible.”