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LifeMoves, the Silicon Valley nonprofit that emerged over the past decade as a regional leader in providing interim housing and support services for homeless individuals, in now undergoing its own leadership change, with CEO Aubrey Merriman stepping down from his role.
Merriman, who has been at the helm of the organization for five years, will be succeeded by Nick Hodges, who will serve as interim CEO while LifeMoves looks for a permanent successor, according to an April 9 announcement.
Merriman’s exit follows five years of significant growth for the organization, which has built 26 interim-housing development in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, including the 100-unit community in Mountain View that opened in 2021 and that was touted by Gov. Gavin Newsom as a promising and innovative approach for adding housing.
LifeMoves is now completing an 88-unit transitional-housing project in Palo Alto, a development that it expects to complete in late spring. It also operates the Navigation Center in Redwood City and the Opportunities Services Center in Palo Alto, facilities that provide living spaces, case management and other services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Merriman joined LifeMoves in February 2021, succeeding former CEO Bruce Ives. He said in a statement that he’s had to privilege over the past five years “of witnessing what’s possible when a dedicated team and an engaged community come together with a shared purpose.”
“Alongside our government and private-sector partners, we’ve expanded LifeMoves’ reach and served more clients than at any point in our 40-year history,” Merriman said. “I am deeply proud of the LifeMoves team and grateful to the civic, nonprofit and business leaders across Silicon Valley who have made addressing homelessness a true priority. This progress is the result of collective commitment, and I’m honored to have been part of a team working every day to create lasting change.”
According to its impact report, LifeMoves served 6,317 individuals and families in the most recent fiscal year. It also reported that 96% of the families that transitioned from its programs to permanent housing remained permanently housed a year later.
Melissa Selcher, chair of the LifeMoves board of directors, said in a statement that when the board hired Merriman five years ago, it saw in him “the vision, passion and commitment to innovation and outcomes that would help LifeMoves grow in its role as Silicon Valley’s leading provider of interim supportive housing and services.”
“During his tenure, LifeMoves has experienced extraordinary growth and visibility, when the need is more acute than ever,” Selcher said. “We are deeply grateful to Aubrey for his service and for the meaningful impact LifeMoves achieved during his tenure.”
The board plans to initiate a search process for its next CEO, according to the announcement. In the meantime, Hodges will serve as interim CEO. Before joining LifeMoves, Hodges had served as COO at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and Schwab Charitable.
Tammy Crown, vice chair of the LifeMoves board, said in a statement that the organization is “well-positioned for continued to success.”
“We are as confident as ever that the foundation built over the past several years — including expanded programs, strong community relationships and a respected fundraising platform — ensures that LifeMoves will continue delivering critical services and driving solutions to homelessness throughout Silicon Valley,” Crown said.
