08/17/2026
First Witness Announces Executive Director Leadership Transition - Executive Director Tracie Clanaugh will retire in March 2027, following more than nine years of transformative leadership.
Clanaugh joined First Witness as Executive Director in 2018 and guided significant growth across the organization. She strengthened programs and community partnerships, expanded prevention and specialized training efforts, and built the organization's capacity to serve more children, families, and professionals.
“Thirty-five years ago, our community made a commitment to children; it has been an honor to carry that commitment forward,” Clanaugh said. “My work with the First Witness staff has deeply humbled me. Their wisdom, expertise, and tireless commitment to our mission leave me honored to work alongside them each day. The First Witness Board of Directors and our Multidisciplinary Teams represent a beacon of hope in our community — a group of committed individuals dedicated to changing our world and working to end child abuse, our nation’s largest social problem.”
Following a comprehensive process, the Board has selected Associate Director Tyra Jaramillo-Kraemer as the organization's next Executive Director. With seven years of dedicated service to First Witness, Jaramillo-Kraemer brings deep knowledge of its programs and operations, strong relationships with regional partners, and a steadfast commitment to its child-centered mission. Clanaugh and Jaramillo-Kraemer will work closely with staff and the Board in the coming months to ensure continuity and a seamless leadership transition.
Read the full story at www.firstwitness.org/news.
