An important message from Yeardley’s mom, Sharon Love

Dear One Love family:

I’m writing to keep you informed of some important leadership changes at the One Love Foundation.

Following several months of discussion and reflection, decisions were made by the majority of the Board of Directors and by CEO Katie Hood, to part ways with the One Love Foundation. The principal factor was a difference of opinion on the governance structure of the organization. When my family and I founded One Love, it was important to us that, as guardians of Yeardley’s memory, we retain ultimate control of Board and CEO positions. As One Love has grown, some felt uncomfortable with that structure, a position we respect and understand, but it will not change. We have accepted Katie’s resignation with regret. Her last day with One Love will be this Friday June 23.

Over time, we will begin to re-establish One Love headquarters in Baltimore, where Yeardley and Lexie were raised, and where I continue to make my home. As we absorb the effects of these changes, the most important aspect of the organization is unchanged and unwavering – the commitment to empowering young people, educating them, and bringing an end to relationship abuse and domestic violence. The amazing team at One Love has been asked to carry on with the work and make the decisions to keep it flowing and the team has more than risen to the occasion.

I want to reiterate that One Love would not be the success it is today without the guidance of the Board and Katie’s leadership. I would like to personally thank Katie for all of her hard work and dedication. Her unique combination of skills and passion has produced a remarkable organization that has touched the lives of many. We sincerely wish Katie well in her future endeavors.

The Founding Members (me, Lexie, and Yeardley’s brother-in-law, Jamie Hodges) are in the process of completing a CEO search and will be announcing new Board members in due course. The past few weeks have been incredibly busy as we have been gathering people and information so that we can make important decisions about our strategic plan. Focus has been on three key areas: leadership, finances, and communication/transition.

We remain confident in the One Love Foundation and our mission of ending relationship violence and abuse. Our guiding light is to honor the memory of my daughter Yeardley and do everything possible to make sure that what happened to her does not happen to others.

Thank you for your ongoing support and service. We will continue to inform you of developments as they become available.

Sincerely,

Sharon Love