​A New Chapter for Listen First Project: Leadership Transition Announcement

We thrilled to announce to the Karissa Raskin to CEO of Listen First Project (LFP)!
LFP founder Pearce Godwin steps down as CEO after 12 years while continuing as Senior Advisor and Board Chair. Raskin, the former Director of Coalition Engagement, will lead the organization's mission to reduce polarization in America. Please join us in congratulating Karissa on her new promotion! Learn more in the post below.

---

---

Today marks a significant milestone in the Listen First Project's journey as we announce a transition in leadership. After 12 remarkable years of building and leading the organization, Pearce Godwin is passing the torch to Karissa Raskin as the new CEO.

Pearce Godwin's New Direction
Under Pearce's visionary leadership, Listen First Project has grown into a vital backbone organization supporting hundreds of grassroots organizations and national initiatives dedicated to reducing polarization in America. As he steps down from his executive role, Pearce is answering a call to serve more directly on the front lines of our mission, focusing on localized, in-person community engagement.
While transitioning from his executive position, Pearce will continue to contribute to Listen First Project as Senior Advisor, Board Chair, and Movement Champion. His new role will allow him to share the bridging movement's vision and the Coalition partners' work with media, funders, and other stakeholders.

Welcoming Karissa Raskin as CEO
Listen First has announced Karissa Raskin as the organization's new CEO. Having served as Director of Coalition Engagement for the past couple of years, Karissa has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a deep understanding of our mission. Her colleagues praise her talent, wisdom, empathy, and grace, along with her masterful handling of complex organizational relationships. Karissa's promotion to CEO ensures that the service to the organization's collective movement will not only continue undiminished but grow stronger. Her natural embodiment of the Listen First mission and movement ideals makes her the ideal leader for this next chapter.

Looking Forward
As Pearce moves to join Urban Rural Action, one of Listen First Coalition's valued partners, he will focus on bringing Americans together across divides to address local community challenges. This transition represents not an ending but an evolution in our organization's journey to help America find a way forward together.

The Listen First Project remains committed to its mission of overcoming toxic polarization through intentional collaboration. Under Karissa's leadership, the organization looks forward to expanding their impact and strengthening our partnerships across all sectors of American life.

• We invite all our partners and supporters to join us in:
• Congratulating Karissa Raskin on her new role as CEO
• Supporting this next chapter of Listen First Project's mission
• Continuing our collective work to bridge divides and strengthen communities
  ​

Together, we will continue building a movement that creates lasting positive change for our communities.