Neighborhood Interfaith Movement’s new executive director to begin Sept 10

After months of deliberation, the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement (NIM) has named Jane Maloney as its executive director. She will begin on September 10.

Maloney has extended experience in education serving as a director of admissions for Rosemont College for seven years. She also worked for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Business Leadership Organization for Catholic Schools programs developing and fundraising for the secondary schools in the Archdiocese.

She also served as director of the Corporate Work-Study Program at St. Martin de Porres High School in Illinois, director of national program for Habitat Humanity International and director of development for Sarah’s Circle, a residence for low-income senior citizens.

Being of service to others coupled with faith traditions is what interests her so much about the position with NIM. “When I saw the interfaith nature of NIM, I was immediately attracted to the organization and when I saw the kinds of work it was doing and the way it approaches its work, I was just really really excited,” said Maloney.

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Maloney will take the place of Bessie Jordan-Byrd who served as the interim executive director for nearly a year. Jordan-Byrd will still be an active board member, but is not sure if she will have an official role in the organization.

“I think the healthiest thing for me would be to kind of step aside for at least a year or so since I have been so involved in the running of the organization, but I will be there to help with the transition,” said Jordan-Byrd.

Jordan-Byrd is optimistic for the future with high hopes that NIM will be more progressive, stronger and focused on addressing more community and societal issues such as the recent Voter ID law. She said they also will continue all of their signature programs such as the annual Martin Luther King Interfaith Celebration, which included a lecture from Daisy Khan, who is widely known for proposing to build an Islamic cultural center near ground zero in conjunction with her husband.

“NIM has always been on the leading edge of taking steps like that,” said Jordan-Byrd. “The NIM that I know will always try to be on the forefront of civil rights issues and other social action issues and I think Jane will bring that same type of leadership to the table.

NIM is an alliance comprised of over 50 congregations and other faith-based organizations throughout Northwest Philadelphia including the Germantown Jewish Center in Mt. Airy, Masjidullah in West Oak Lane and St. John the Baptist in Manayunk. It has 28 employees for its Early Learning Alliance, Long Care Ombudsman, and Resources for Older Adult Living programs in addition to its administrative staff that includes the executive director and development team.

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