Welcome and Farewell!

Dr. Kathy I. Kennedy and Arron Mansika

The RIHEL team you’ve come to know and trust continues to evolve! With bittersweet excitement we announce the retirement of Dr. Kathy Kennedy, who served as the founding Executive Director of RIHEL since its inception in 1998 until October 31, 2021. Her passion and persistence contributed to the development of thousands of health and environment leaders across our region. She is now confidently handing the baton to Arron Mansika, who began as RIHEL’s Executive Director on November 1, 2021. Arron holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental/Resilient Leadership and recently stepped down as Executive Director of a large and active natural products trade association he co-created and led since 2006. Prior to that, Arron served as Co-Director of an environmental and social advocacy group, worked as Managing Director of a multi-issue nonprofit peace and justice center, then founded, grew and sold his own small organic products business. Arron embraces the RIHEL model and community and will lead with heart and mind. The positive work of RIHEL is sorely needed, highly regarded and poised to expand while also deepening. Thank you for being part of this caring and impactful RIHEL community. We are excited to explore new approaches to our prized programming and develop entirely new programming to further empower and inspire you! We do this work for you and with you. Thank you.