Family House CEO Alexandra E. Morgan to Retire at Year’s End
Published on January 20, 2023
Alexandra E. Morgan, CEO
Family House San Francisco’s Board of Directors has announced that Alexandra E. Morgan, CEO of Family House, who spearheaded the extraordinary growth of the organization for more than two decades, will retire on December 31, 2023.
With a relentless focus on family-centered care in partnership with UCSF, Morgan fulfilled the founders’ vision to provide free housing and basic needs for the families of seriously ill young patients. Under her transformational leadership, what started as ten rooms on Irving Street, run entirely by volunteers with an annual operating budget of under $200,000, has grown into a five-story, 80-bedroom facility in Mission Bay that can house more than 250 people per night. Family House has become so much more than just a place to stay for the more than 60,000 families served in its more than 40-year history – it’s a home away from home, and a supportive community dedicated to providing a caring environment for the entire family while their child is undergoing treatment.
“It’s been a privilege to lead Family House in our growth to house up to 80 families per night in a new, state-of-the-art building,” said Alexandra E. Morgan in a letter to the Family House Community. “I am deeply grateful to our excellent staff and board members with whom I have had the honor of partnering to alleviate some of the stresses of serious childhood illnesses. Without wonderful donors, volunteers, and the greater community, none of our growth would have been possible, and I extend my gratitude to you.”
The Family House Board of Directors will lead the process to choose Alexandra’s successor, working with Koya Partners—the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven organizations.
“Alexandra’s decision to announce her retirement early gives us plenty of time to prepare for her departure, execute a national search for a CEO, and plan for the transition between now and the end of the year,” said Todd Kovacevich, chair of the Family House Board of Directors. “We are in a position of great strength thanks to Alexandra’s leadership, and we are confident in our ability to attract exceptional candidates. We look forward to sharing news about the transition in the coming months.”
During her 22-year tenure, Morgan has led Family House through tremendous growth. She joined Family House in 2001. She was hired by Dr. Arthur Ablin, Chief of Clinical Pediatric Oncology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), who established Family House in 1981, in partnership with others, as a cost-free place for patient families to stay. At that time, Family House was in its original location on Irving Street in the City’s Inner Sunset neighborhood and housed 10 patient families.
In 2001, Morgan spearheaded a two-year capital campaign that raised more than $6.5 million to purchase, renovate and endow a new building on 10th Avenue with the capacity to house 34 families per night.
When UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital announced their move to Mission Bay, Morgan was instrumental in planning Family House’s move–raising $43 million, purchasing land, designing, building, furnishing, and opening a brand-new building, the Nancy and Stephen Grand Family House, in 2016. Now, Family House can support up to 80 families per night and offers communal kitchens and living spaces, a toy room, meditation room, outdoor courtyard, and more, just blocks from UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.
Now with more than 25 employees, Family House has been a haven for more than 60,000 families while their child is undergoing treatment for cancer or another life-threatening illness. Throughout, Morgan has maintained a strong commitment to provide the best care possible for patient families, and continuously sparked the development of the board, staff, volunteers, endowment, and annual fundraising.
During her career, Morgan has received numerous accolades, including commendation from Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2005 and the Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Golden Gate Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. And, under her guidance, Family House was named “Best Place to Volunteer in San Francisco” by San Francisco Magazine five years in a row.
“It’s been an honor to work with Alexandra,” said Kovacevich. “Her commitment to the mission of this organization is unmatched and so many families have benefited from her compassionate leadership. I will miss my daily interactions with this exceptional leader for whom I have such deep admiration and respect. I am proud of the incredible organization we have built under her leadership and excited by the opportunities that lie ahead.”
For more information, please view: A Letter from Alexandra E. Morgan
For more information, please contact: Arleen Bandarrae, Marketing Manager, abandarrae@familyhouseinc.org or 415.650.7422.
Koya Partners, the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven organizations, has been retained to lead this search. Alex Corvin, Managing Director based in San Francisco, is leading the assignment. To learn more, please contact: familyhouse@koyapartners.com