The Green Chair Project Welcomes Rae Marie Czuhai as CEO
RALEIGH, NC – The Green Chair Project (TGCP), Wake County’s sole nonprofit furnishing and home essentials provider, is excited to announce the appointment of Rae Marie Czuhai as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With an extensive background in nonprofit leadership and a deep understanding of The Green Chair Project’s mission and values, Czuhai is poised to lead the organization into its next phase of growth and impact.
“I am honored and excited to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer of The Green Chair Project,” states Rae Marie Czuhai, newly appointed CEO. “Under the extraordinary leadership of Jackie Craig, our organization has established itself as a force for good in Wake County and beyond. I am committed to building on this strong foundation and working with our dedicated team, board, partners, and community members to create lasting change for those in need.”
Rae Marie Czuhai’s journey with The Green Chair Project began in February 2020 when she joined as the Director of Development. Her exceptional dedication and contributions led to her promotion to Chief Advancement Officer in 2022, a role in which she continued to excel.
Following an extensive national search led by The Green Chair Board of Directors and conducted by Durham-based nonprofit consulting firm moss+ross, during which over 100 qualified applicants were evaluated, Czuhai was formally offered the position. The Board recognized Czuhai’s relentless passion for the organization’s mission and believed her strategic vision, financial planning expertise, and relationship-building skills made her the ideal candidate to assume the role.
“Throughout the search process, which included feedback from current and former staff, Board members, and agency partners, Rae Marie’s embrace of TGCP’s core values demonstrated how well-suited she is to lead the organization at this important time in its history,” states Astra Ball, Board Chair.
“Rae Marie is just the second CEO to take the helm of TGCP, succeeding Jackie Craig, who co-founded TGCP with Beth Smoot in 2010. The Board extends enormous appreciation to Jackie for her creativity and vision as she led the organization through tremendous growth and impact for more than a decade.”
The organization has been a beacon of hope for individuals recovering from homelessness, natural disasters, and other crises. Since its inception, The Green Chair Project has impacted the lives of over 23,000 individuals, providing them with the essentials to sustain their home, donated by generous members of the Wake County community. Its outreach has translated into support for more than 8,100 households and the diversion of over 8,200 tons of household items from landfills, reflecting the organization’s commitment to sustainability.
Rae Marie Czuhai’s ascension to the CEO role comes at a crucial juncture for The Green Chair Project. As the sole furnishings provider in Wake County, the organization is primed to continue the course set forth by The Green Chair Project’s strategic plan. Czuhai’s deep connection to the organization’s mission and strategic acumen will undoubtedly drive The Green Chair Project’s growth and power an even more significant impact on the community it serves.
Jackie Craig, Outgoing CEO and Co-Founder of The Green Chair Project, expressed her enthusiasm for the organization’s future under Czuhai’s leadership: “Rae Marie’s appointment is a testament to her unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership skills. I’ve been grateful to work alongside her and have seen firsthand the difference her dedication makes. Her passion for our mission and her collaborative spirit will undoubtedly drive Green Chair to new heights. I am excited to witness the impact she will make.”
“When Beth and I founded this organization in 2010, even we could not imagine the impact that we’d be able to have,” Craig continues. “My pride for what we’ve created is rivaled only by my gratefulness to the incredible community of agency partners, local nonprofits, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and of course, TGCP staff, who’ve made our impact possible.”
Craig will remain CEO until October 1, 2023, when Czuhai will officially assume the role.
The Green Chair Project welcomes Czuhai with optimism and excitement. The organization is looking forward to continuing to transform lives and communities through its vital outreach efforts in Wake County, NC, and beyond. For more information surrounding the organization’s mission and ongoing community impact, visit thegreenchair.org.
