Maria Devlin, president and CEO of Families in Transition
The president and CEO of Families in Transition, a nonprofit that provides housing solutions, emergency shelter, food access, and substance use treatment services, announced she will step down from her role in the coming months.
Maria Devlin has led the Manchester-based nonprofit for six years. Devlin assumed leadership in June 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, Families in Transition expanded its portfolio of affordable permanent housing, increased emergency shelter capacity for individuals and families, enhanced services and infrastructure at the Adult Emergency Shelter, and opened an expanded food pantry in downtown Manchester. She also played a key role in advocating for increased statewide support for emergency shelter services.
“I am deeply honored to have served alongside such an incredible team,” says Devlin. “I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished in service to our community, especially in the face of significant challenges. While this was not an easy decision, I believe this is the right time for new leadership to build on our momentum and guide Families in Transition into its next chapter.”
Devlin will remain in her role while the board of directors conducts a national search for her successor, a process expected to take several months. She has committed to ensuring a smooth transition, though a formal departure date has not yet been set.
“We are incredibly grateful to Maria for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission,” says Stephen Norton, chair of the board of directors. “Her impact on our organization and the broader community will be felt for years to come. Thanks to her leadership, Families in Transition is well-positioned for continued growth and service.”
Prior to joining Families in Transition, Devlin served for 14 years as Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Northern New England. When she arrived in Manchester, her immediate focus was adapting services to meet urgent community needs during the pandemic.
“Our mission has always been to treat every individual with kindness and respect,” Devlin said. “During the pandemic, we had to reimagine how we delivered services while preserving that core value. I am especially proud of the partnerships we built with city and community leaders, and I hope that spirit of collaboration continues long into the future."