WBJ: Covenant House Washington Hires Executive Director

Washington Business Journal - by Jonathan O'Connell Staff Reporter

Covenant House Washington has named Daniel Brannen, a former program coordinator at Covenant House New York, its new executive director.

Convenant House Washington, in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Southeast D.C., is part of a Convenant House network of facilities offering food, shelter, clothing and other crisis services to homeless and disconnected youth in 21 cities in North America. It has about a $7 million annual budget, but like many human service nonprofits, faces a tough fundraising atmosphere during the recession.

Brannen, whose first day at the new job was April 27, comes from the Foundation For Scotland School For Veterans’ Children, a 113-year-old residential school in Scotland, Pa. where he was executive director. A former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, Brannen served as a program coordinator at Covenant House New York from 1988 to 1992 and since held other positions in Ohio and Florida working with at-risk youth.

Thomas White, a partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP and Convenant House Washington board chairman, released a statement saying the organization “must find ways to effectively serve more youth.”

“We are confident that Dan’s expertise in program development and fundraising will help us do just that,” White said.

“It is absolutely wonderful to be a part of the Covenant House family again. I am humbled and honored to be associated with so many caring, committed, and courageous caregivers. I know that together, we will continue to improve the life situations of struggling young people who put their trust in us,” Brannen said in a statement.

Brannen replaces Judith Dobbins who retired in December 2008.