A Letter From CVA's Executive Director

There’s an exciting new chapter ahead for the Carlsbad Village Association.

After 12 incredible years leading the Carlsbad Village Association, I have made the decision that it is time for new leadership and for me to begin my next chapter.

This decision has been nearly a year in the making. With my husband, Bill, now retired, I am looking forward to spending more time together and embracing new opportunities beyond my role at CVA.

I will remain Executive Director through the end of 2026, with plenty of exciting work ahead, including hosting the 40th annual California Main Street Conference November 3–5 and a full slate of holiday programming. I look forward to seeing these commitments through while helping prepare CVA for a smooth leadership transition.

I am so fortunate to have the full support of my amazing Board of Directors. The Board’s Executive Committee will serve as the search committee for CVA’s next Executive Director, with the assistance of a Main Street consultant with whom I have also been working. We have a thoughtful process in place, and the goal is to have new leadership in place at the beginning of 2027.

The timing for this change feels right for another reason, too. While I am ready to move into the next chapter of my life, I also believe CVA needs new leadership to navigate the next wave of Main Street. With an increasing emphasis on downtown development, potential streetscape and infrastructure projects, and the need to establish a sustainable funding mechanism such as an assessment district, I feel CVA will be best positioned for its future with someone in place who has the professional experience to take these next big steps in CVA’s history.

I could not be prouder of what I have helped accomplish over the past 12 years, first as a CVA board member and then as its Executive Director. I have accomplished almost everything I had hoped to, and it is my goal to help set up the next leader for success and, hopefully, see them fulfill a thing or two I wasn’t able to complete.

But perhaps what I am most proud of is that my focus from the very beginning—on relationships, collaboration, and building a strong sense of community—never wavered. I truly believe that those relationships have helped make Carlsbad Village a better, more connected and collaborative place.

I will continue working with CVA through the first quarter of 2027 to support the leadership transition, contribute to the new strategic plan, and complete work on a Farmers Market permit modification that will bring an exciting new element to the market.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have led CVA over the past 12 years, building relationships, celebrating local business successes, tackling challenges, and watching Carlsbad Village continue to evolve. There is still plenty to accomplish, and I look forward to making the most of the months ahead while helping position CVA for a strong future under its next Executive Director.

With gratitude,

Christine

We invite interested candidates to learn more about this opportunity by reviewing the Executive Director job description and application instructions here.