Kathy Desmond named President of People’s Emergency Center

When Farah Jimenez stepped down as president and CEO of the People’s Emergency Center in August 2014 after being appointed to the School Reform Commission, she left an open spot in one of West Philadelphia’s most active human services and community development organizations.

During her tenure the organization launched a youth housing program, served as a local partner in the federal Promise Zone initiative, completed a neighborhood plan for Lancaster Avenue, and brought Night Market to Lancaster Avenue.

Nearly a year after Jimenez’s departure, PEC announced this week that Interim CEO Kathy Desmond will formally take over as president on July 1. Desmond served as PEC’s Chief Program Officer prior to taking the interim position.

Before that, she served as the CEO of the child welfare organization Best Nest, one of the first agencies to agencies to provide foster care to children infected with HIV/AIDS in Pennsylvania. Under Desmond’s leadership, Best Nest also became an affiliate of the Public Health Management Corporation — a strategic move to make the company more efficient and stable.

As PEC pointed out in a press release, Desmond’s background in working with children is suited to the organization’s residential programs, which serve families and children in need of housing and shelter.

Desmond received a master’s in social work from Temple University’s School of Social Administration and has also served on a number of nonprofit boards in Philadelphia.

Photo via People’s Emergency Center