Events & Highlights

MS, CCC-SLP, MBA

January 2024

Hello PCDA Community,

I hope your New Year is off to a great start! 

I am reaching out to introduce myself as the new Interim Executive Director of PCDA.  

I have been a fan of PCDA since very early in its history and have enjoyed watching it grow and evolve over the years. While serving as Executive Director of a similar organization in Encino, I worked with founders Dr. Diane Cullinane and Mimi Winer on statewide initiatives to develop and strengthen interdisciplinary Early Intervention programs for children under the age of three. Those days seem long ago, and the industry has changed much since that time, but PCDA’s commitment to fostering a sense of security, connection, and empowerment among children with Autism and other developmental disabilities through exceptional interdisciplinary care and partnership with parents has never wavered. Since joining the staff on December 4th, I have been inspired and touched by the resolve of each staff and board member to live out the core values of PCDA each day, and I am deeply honored to serve in this role.  

2023 was a year of many transitions for PCDA. We moved from our Lake Avenue location to a pair of smaller spaces located at 118 Oak Knoll and 790 Green Street, and we rolled out our new brand. We also congratulated our beloved co-founder, Mimi Winer, on her retirement and bid her farewell with tremendous gratitude for her 27 years of service. Christopher Perri stepped down as Executive Director to pursue new opportunities, and we began the process of shaping the next chapter for PCDA. 

With changes in leadership and physical location, amidst the backdrop of Covid and an ever-changing world, PCDA is embarking on a period of simultaneously stabilizing and reimagining its future. 

Interim Leadership offers a specialized support in helping organizations navigate transition by working with boards, staff, clients, community members and other stakeholders to assess the state of the organization, collaboratively intervene in areas of difficulty and prepare the organization for the permanent successor to lead. As I learned during my training to become an Interim Executive through The Third Sector Company, “Choosing an interim executive as part of an intentional succession plan is a strategic opportunity to provide stability and ensure productive, transformational management as the organization prepares for its next chapter.” 

We begin 2024 with excitement and ongoing commitment to break barriers to care, address immediate needs while never losing sight of the long-game, and excel in all ways as we live our mission to create a community that builds on strengths and relationships to prepare young people with Autism and developmental disabilities for a future in which they are empowered, fulfilled, and feel the security of belonging.  

We passionately engage in our work because we believe in our clients’ right and ability to live fully as their authentic selves. As a community, we rely on teamwork and collaboration, because we know we can go further when we go together. 

We invite you to see what’s new at PCDA and be a part of our future. Visit our new location; give us a call at 626.793.7350 and speak to Candee to set up a tour. Browse our website www.pcdateam.org to learn our core values at PCDA and see our new brand. 

Our future looks bright, and we are excited to share this journey with you.  

Sending you my warmest wishes for a happy and healthy New Year and look forward to connecting soon.

Sincerely,

Pam Jacobson

Interim Executive Director