After 17 years of service, Jenni Lord, Founder and CEO of Chosen, is stepping away from her role as CEO of the organization.

We are grateful for the foundation she laid, the vision she cast, and the many lives touched during her tenure.

What began as a desire to help families fund adoptions grew into something far greater than Jenni could have imagined. Along the way, she asked a pivotal question: “Who will be with these adoptive families long term?” That question shifted the direction of Chosen, transforming it from a fundraising initiative into an organization dedicated to walking alongside families raising children who have experienced trauma. Her personal experiences, including those within her own family, stirred in her a deep commitment to justice and a bold desire for systemic change in child welfare.

During her years as the CEO of Chosen, the organization expanded from a small, local effort to a national organization using a telehealth model to serve thousands of families around the world. Her passion has helped the organization’s team grow significantly to now include a training and content department and strategic partnerships with organizations like America’s Kids Belong, CarePortal, and For Others, strengthening the impact of our mission.

Jenni’s grit—honed over countless marathon miles—and her drive for innovation have been powerful forces in Chosen’s development. Her belief in the healing power of connection has shaped our work and will continue to influence the field as she pursues new avenues of advocacy through writing and speaking.

To guide Chosen through this transition, Lesli Reece, Vice Chair of the Chosen Board, will serve as Interim CEO. Lesli brings decades of senior-level business experience and a heart to serve vulnerable children, including 15 years in the child welfare space. Our board and leadership team remain fully committed to our mission and to the children, youth, and families we serve.

We are thankful for Jenni’s years of commitment to Chosen. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.