A Letter from Christine . . .

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

After 12 incredible years leading the charge for the Carlsbad Village Association, it is time for new leadership. This decision has been nearly a year in the making, and the timing finally feels right.

As many of you know, my husband Bill travels quite a bit for his job as a motorcycle tour guide. He is away from home for as much as six months each year. Bill is retiring next month from Harley-Davidson, and I feel that it is time for me to do the same soon and look forward to making up for some of that lost time together.

I will remain in my position as Executive Director through the end of 2026, as we have so much exciting programming ahead, including hosting the 40th annual California Main Street Conference November 3–5 and a full slate of holiday programming.

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 board member and then as 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.

As we move into this next phase, please rest assured that our team, our Board, and our mission are as strong as ever. And I’m not disappearing anytime soon! This is not goodbye.

I will remain with the Association as a part-time consultant through the first quarter of 2027 to help with the transition, provide feedback on CVA’s new five-year strategic plan, and see through to completion a modification to the Farmers Market conditional use permit that will bring a new element to the market. Stay tuned for more on that! I will be here throughout the transition, working alongside our team and Board to make sure CVA remains strong and that the next Executive Director has the benefit of what I have learned over these past 12 years.

I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to do this work—to build relationships with so many of you, to celebrate your successes, to tackle challenges together, and to watch the Village continue to evolve. Carlsbad Village and CVA have been such a defining part of my life for the past 12 years, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me and in CVA.

There is still plenty of work to do, and I’m not done yet. I’m looking forward to making the most of these next six months with all of you—and then, eventually, to handing over the reins and watching the next chapter unfold.

With gratitude,

Christine