KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Metro Drug Coalition said its executive director is stepping down after 14 years in the role.
Despite moving down from her current role, Karen Pershing said that she will remain within the company as as the director of grants and government relations.
According to its website, the MDC is a nonprofit striving to create a better community, free of substance abuse. The organization has been active for 35 years.
Pershing's list of accomplishments include:
- Increasing staff
- Purchasing, renovating and establishing MDC's "The Gateway"
- Helping to pass state laws that reduce the impact of substance abuse
- Leading initiatives towards causes such as adverse childhood experiences, genetics, trauma, pre-natal and perinatal awareness and family systems and community response.
- Presented a local response about the opioid crisis to the American Public Health Association.
According to MDC, Pershing plans to stay within the company to "sustain the organization's momentum and capacity and continue contributing to its mission."
“Leading Metro Drug Coalition has been an honor and a privilege,” Pershing said. “I am incredibly proud of what we achieved during the last 14 years, and it has been incredibly gratifying to work with the people we serve, staff past and present, board members, volunteers, partner organizations, elected officials, donors and corporate sponsors.”
MDC said a plan is currently in the works to transition to a new director. Pershing will help to guide that person once they are announced. The release of who will be taking over the role is planned for early April.