Karen McCreary/Courtesy of ACLU Utah website
SALT LAKE CITY — The Executive Director for the ACLU of Utah has announced she will be retiring in June of 2016, ending her tenure in a leadership position she has held since 2006.
According to a press release from the ACLU of Utah, Executive Director and local community leader Karen McCreary has announced her intent to retire.
“The ACLU is like a second family to me; I feel a deep connection to our mission and to those with whom I’m fortunate enough to work,” McCreary stated in the press release. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside so many wonderful people around the state to address civil liberties injustices with the belief that Utah can be a more just and inclusive place. I am so proud to have been a part of this amazing organization, which makes this a difficult decision for me. But it is important for me to have more time to spend with my immediate family, including my elderly parents who live out of state.”
During her time as Executive Director, the ACLU has more than doubled its staff and seen growth in their statewide presence, and the release states they also built a legal program and expanded their participation in the Utah Legislature.
Under her leadership, the ACLU states they championed a successful legal challenge of Utah’s “Arizona-style anti immigration law HB497”, and they also stated they helped pass Utah’s LGBT non-discrimination act while challenging government impediments to “full marriage equality.”
“We are so impressed with all that Karen has accomplished during her time as our Executive Director; she will be leaving the organization in great shape,” stated ACLU of Utah Board President Michael Weinholtz. “It will be a real challenge to replace Karen, but we are committed to upholding the incredible tradition of civil liberties progress and protection by the ACLU of Utah.”
The press release states the Board of Directors will begin recruiting for McCreary’s replacement in February.
