We are pleased to announce an important leadership transition at Fair Chance, marking the next chapter in our 24-year history of strengthening community-based nonprofits across the DC region.
Effective July 1, Ann Birnbaum Miles, currently Chief Program Officer, will be promoted to Co-CEO of Fair Chance. Over the past seven years, Ann has been an essential member of our leadership team, bringing strategic insight, an equity-centered approach, and a commitment to excellence.
Gretchen Van der Veer, who has led Fair Chance as CEO for the past 12 years, will continue in a Co-CEO role while also serving as Acting Director of the Coalition for Nonprofit Equity (CNE) until a permanent director is hired. Fair Chance is the fiscal sponsor of CNE and remains committed to supporting the broader health of the nonprofit sector.
Meet Ann Birnbaum Miles
Ann joined Fair Chance with more than 20 years of experience leading youth-serving nonprofits in under-resourced communities and fostering partnerships between community leaders and school systems to improve outcomes for young people.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Ann began her career in the field of youth development and went on to establish Community Bridges Beacon, the first school-based community center of the San Francisco Beacon Initiative—a public-private partnership supporting schools, families, and communities to help young people thrive.
She later earned her master’s degree from Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs and moved to Washington, DC, where she led the DC chapter of Experience Corps, placing senior volunteers in public schools to strengthen early literacy and promote long-term student success.
As Fair Chance’s Chief Program Officer, Ann has brought vision and collaboration to deepen community partnerships and grow new initiatives. Her leadership was pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping Fair Chance remain responsive and equitable. Today, the organization is stronger and more adaptive—better positioned to meet the needs of nonprofits working to improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.
Ann is deeply respected by both board and staff. The board values her focus on centering community voice in programmatic decisions. Staff admire her thoughtful mentorship and commitment to strengthening Fair Chance’s capacity to serve.
“There are many advantages to the Co-CEO model, including enhanced diversity of thought, improved problem-solving, and strategically leveraging the strengths of both leaders,” said Gretchen Van der Veer. “We’ve been exploring this structure not only as a way to recognize and elevate Ann, but also to benefit from shared responsibility and leadership. Ann is a terrific partner, a mentor to staff, and deeply committed to Fair Chance’s mission. I’m thrilled the Board is making this announcement today.”
“The board has been consistently impressed with Ann’s exceptional leadership and dynamic thought partnership,” said Board Chair Steven McCullough. “We especially value her commitment to centering community voice in decision-making at every level.
We are proud to elevate her to this Co-CEO role and honor a woman of color whose leadership reflects and strengthens the communities we serve. Ann’s promotion affirms both her outstanding contributions and our ongoing commitment to advancing diverse, representative leadership.”
We look forward to Ann and Gretchen’s continued partnership as they build on Fair Chance’s strong foundation and lead us into our next chapter.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support helps ensure that all children, youth, and families in the DC region have the opportunity to thrive.
— The Fair Chance Board of Directors
