Change is all around us this time of year in the form of fall colors, crisper weather, and shorter days.

In the spirit of the season, Bainbridge Youth Services is experiencing some changes of its own. We are expanding our free and confidential professional counseling and tutoring programs, upgrading our website, and offering more career opportunities and job skills for teens.

The biggest change, however, is a bittersweet one. Our extraordinary executive director, Marina Cofer-Wildsmith, has decided to step down to allow more time to focus on the changing needs of her family and aging parents.

On a personal note, Marina is a dear friend, and I support and have the greatest respect for what I know was a very difficult decision. Speaking on behalf of the board and everyone else who is involved in or has benefited from the work of BYS, we are thankful for her service and in awe and admiration of her years of devotion to the social and emotional health of our Island’s youth. The good news is that she will remain committed to the work of BYS as its newest board member.

Cezanne Allen, M.D., outgoing director of the Healthy Youth Alliance, will take over as executive director of BYS Dec. 1, 2017. Her decision to take on the job couldn’t be better news for BYS.

She has been director of the Bainbridge Healthy Youth Alliance for the last three years, and she and Marina have worked closely together for the last five years in support of healthy youth development.

Before moving to Bainbridge Island, Cezanne was a physician and department chair at a large multi-specialty medical clinic in Minnesota. On Bainbridge, she has served on the board of the parenting education nonprofit Raising Resilience for six years and teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at Dayaalu Center. Cezanne believes in the mission of BYS, knows that the vitally important free and confidential counseling BYS provides is unique in our area, and that skills and strengths teens develop now will benefit them the rest of their lives. With her background, the transition in BYS’ leadership will be seamless.

Again, thank you Marina for your service, and welcome aboard Cezanne!

Tom McCloskey is president of the board of directors for Bainbridge Youth Services.