AMHERST — After a decade in various roles at the Amherst Survival Center, from coordinating volunteers to overseeing programs, Carleen Basler is stepping into the executive director position.
The board of directors recently announced the unanimous appointment of Basler, who has been serving in an interim role since Oct. 6, after Lev BenEzra stepped down to run Community Action Pioneer Valley, the region’s largest anti-poverty agency. Her selection follows a rigorous and competitive national search.
Basler becomes the sixth permanent for the Amherst Survival Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The center, which began life in the North Amherst School at 1200 North Pleasant St. in 1976, has been operating from 138 Sunderland Road since 2013, and also started up the Campus Pantry at the University of Massachusetts last September.
“Carleen brings a rare combination of institutional knowledge, compassionate leadership, and strategic vision,” said Jen Moyston, who chairs the board of directors. “Her leadership during the pandemic demonstrated her ability to navigate complex challenges while keeping people and dignity at the center of every decision.”
Prior to her interim role, Basler served as director of programs beginning in 2019, handling the center’s core services and strengthening programs that promote food security, stability and compassionate care.
During this time, Basler played a critical leadership role over the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of unprecedented demand and operational complexity. Her work ensured continuity of essential services while adapting programs, safety protocols and service delivery models to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Basler first joined the organization in October 2015 as volunteer coordinator, bringing a background in education and organizing for social change, along with many years of hands-on volunteer service.
The Amherst Survival Center, founded by Jane Holappa, provides food and essential services to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, guided by a commitment to dignity, compassion and community. Others who have served at executive director at the center have been Evangeline Westcott, Cheryl Zoll and Mindy Domb.