Following a national search, the board of directors for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has unanimously selected Ryan Haygood as the new president and CEO.
Haygood will start in August.
"As a high school student, I was transformed by the courageous people in Eyes on the Prize — our forebearers who put everything on the line for freedom and justice," Haygood said. "We are summoned now, like those brave freedom fighters before us, to both fight the assaults on our democracy and build what must come next. The SPLC has the history, strength and team to do just that, and was built precisely for moments like this. I am humbled and honored to join the SPLC's incredible team and stellar board at this pivotal moment."
For more than a decade, Haygood has led the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice as president and CEO.
"At this defining moment, when our country desperately needs both the courage to resist and the vision to construct what has never existed before, the SPLC board is proud and grateful to welcome Ryan to the helm," said Karen Baynes-Dunning, board chair, SPLC. "Ryan has the leadership skills, the heart, and most importantly, the vision to lead the SPLC during trying times for the country and for the organization itself."
The DOJ recently indicted the SPLC on 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank and money laundering.
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