AMHERST -- K. Lev Ben-Ezra has been named as the new director of the Amherst Survival Center.
She will succeed Mindy Domb, who was elected as state representative in September.
Ben-Ezra currently works at the Greenfield-based Community Action Pioneer Valley, where she has been for more than a decade. She is also a granddaughter of the late long-time Amherst social and human rights activist Isaac Ben Ezra, who died in October 2017.
According to a press release, she developed and implemented leadership and workforce development programs for both youth and adults at Community Action Pioneer Valley. Most recently she served as Director of Youth and Workforce Development, and previously as Director of Youth Programs, according to the release.
"We're thrilled to have Lev joining us," said Amherst Survival Center Board President Lynn Griesemer.
"Lev has the skills, commitment, vision and creativity to sustain the Center's progress and success and lead us to new accomplishments. She has a track record of building bridges and building communities, two efforts that we will need to continue into the next era to ensure the Center's effectiveness and growth," said Ted Parker, board vice president.
In a statement, Ben-Ezra said, "I have grown increasingly passionate about the importance of addressing challenges we face at both the individual intervention and systemic change level.
"I have been impressed for many years by the Amherst Survival Center's commitment to leverage volunteers, donations and advocacy to create inclusive community, starting by meeting people's most basic needs."
Ben-Ezra will begin working at the end of January and Jan Eidelson, former board president, will serve as interim executive director.
Domb had been the director since June of 2013.