Leadership Transition at People Powered
/Dear People Powered supporters,
We’re writing to share important news. On July 31, Josh Lerner will step down as Co-Executive Director and transition out of People Powered’s staff. His fellow Co-Executive Director Greta Ríos will remain as Executive Director. We share details and next steps below.
From Josh:
For the past 17 years I’ve served as a founder and executive director of two exceptional organizations - the Participatory Budgeting Project and then People Powered. This has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
I’m so proud of what People Powered has achieved, with you. In 2019, we launched the Global Participatory Budgeting Hub, to tackle global challenges of participatory budgeting. In 2020, we broadened this hub into People Powered, to expand people’s power to make government decisions around the world. Since then, we’ve:
Convened and supported a global member community. 300+ members drive People Powered’s work, and we’ve directed $5.5 million to these local organizations and leaders.
Built shared global resources and programs to renew democracy. We created practical resources to put knowledge in people’s hands, such as digital participation tool ratings, impact data, and the Participation Playbook. We connected over 1,500 advocates with support through mentorship and accelerators, helping them launch or improve over 200 participatory programs.
Addressed common challenges of democracy. We convened international partners through programs on digital participation, inclusion, climate democracy, and democracy narratives. Members named these as shared challenges, and we took collective action.
Launching the Global PB Hub in Mexico City in 2019.
The People Powered 2026 Convening in Nairobi.
I’m stepping down to write a book on our narrative challenge - how to change the story of democracy. For three years I’ve had a big life goal of writing another book, but little time to put words on a page. In April and May I took a sabbatical, finished a book proposal, and identified a path for publication. It became clear that I could write the book or return to my job, but I couldn’t realistically do both.
The current system of democracy is outdated and in crisis, and I believe that we have a unique window of opportunity to put forward new models. To counter the authoritarian appeal, we need to do more than defend the status quo, or elect new politicians, or enact a single magical reform. We need bolder visions for what democracy can be. So I’m writing a book on the future of democracy.
I’m able to step back because People Powered is in a strong position. While many organizations have struggled through recent funding cuts and political chaos, People Powered has built a skilled staff with a 93% annual retention rate, almost a year of cash reserve, successful programs, and strong partnerships. My fellow Co-ED Greta is ready to lead, as she shares below. I believe that rotating leadership is essential to democracy, and I can’t wait to see what the team and members do next.
That said, founder transitions can be difficult. I’ll remain a champion and supporter of the organization, in whatever ways are helpful. I’m also supporting People Powered by making a monthly donation, and I hope you join me.
From Greta:
There are many things that make People Powered a great organization, but the biggest two are its staff and its members. Through our 6 years of existence, we have managed to assemble a truly impressive team of professionals from around the world, who create magic by coordinating work across time zones and language barriers. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to lead such a remarkable organization. Dear team, let’s dream big and take People Powered to uncharted territory together!
Whenever something feels difficult or overwhelming, I tend to think about our community of members, as a reminder of why it is that we do the work we do. Among my most precious People Powered moments are the success stories shared by our members working around the world. They find participatory solutions to climate change, implement participatory budgeting with school children, run life-changing legislative theater projects, or simply send lessons learned, questions and good vibes to their peers. I have the absolute pleasure of having met almost all of our more than 300 members in person and it fills me with joy to know that we have a long way to go ahead. Dear members, please rest assured that the spirit of People Powered will continue to have our members at its core and that, as always, I am at your service to make this community even stronger and tighter.
I will always be grateful to Josh for inviting me to join the organization he started, for learning together how to nurture an international community of members, for trusting my leadership and asking me to co-direct alongside him, and now for opening this new stage for People Powered. Josh, you will remain an ally and a friend to all of us.
Moving forward, I am convinced that People Powered will become a bigger, even more diverse and inclusive organization, where participatory democracy practices get documented, replicated, shared and improved by our global community of practice, as we use participatory democracy as a tool to shape the world into a better place for us all. Please stay tuned for updates and collaboration opportunities!
From the Board of Directors:
The Board extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Josh for his visionary leadership as the founder, Director, and Co-Executive Director of People Powered. We congratulate him on the incredible achievements and global impact realized under his guidance. While he will be dearly missed, we wish him the absolute best as he begins this exciting new chapter and completes his upcoming book. We are confident in People Powered’s future with Greta stepping up as sole Executive Director, and we are excited to support her leadership.
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Thank you for your collaboration and support!
Josh Lerner and Greta Ríos
