Mercy Corps Northwest Welcomes Lynn Renken as Interim Executive Director

Outgoing Director John W. Haines to lead and expand Mercy Corps’ Community Investment Trust

Portland, Ore. — The board of directors of Mercy Corps Northwest has appointed Lynn Renken to lead the agency as interim executive director. Renken brings 20 years of experience to the role, including leadership roles for Mercy Corps in Kenya, Indonesia and most recently in Portland as Mercy Corps’ Senior Youth and Adolescent Girl Advisor.

The regional affiliate of the global organization Mercy Corps, Mercy Corps Northwest works in the Pacific Northwest and primarily in Portland; the agency offers small-business training as well as matched savings grants and financing, helps citizens re-enter their communities from prison and hosts the AmeriCorps program.

“Lynn has deep experience executing programs that empower people to survive a crisis and build a stronger future for themselves and their families,” says Larry Ettner, Mercy Corps’ Northwest Board Chair. “The organization will continue to flourish under her leadership.”

Renken succeeds John W. Haines, who will manage and expand the Community Investment Trust, a program focused on making investment opportunities available to Portland and Gresham residents. Designed to remove barriers to financial inclusion and provide a low-dollar investment, the program provides opportunity in commercial property to local residents.

“Under John’s expert leadership of the past 15 years, Mercy Corps Northwest has grown numerous essential community programs to help local entrepreneurs and former prisoners,” says Ettner. “The Community Investment Trust is his brainchild and has garnered many accolades as a model for communities across the United States. We look forward to his focusing 100 percent of his energy on this program.”

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