Wayne Elsey has resigned as head of Soles4Souls, stepping away from the international nonprofit he founded.
The organization, which provides shoes to those who cannot afford them in disaster areas and developing countries, has named Kevin Goughary, its chief operating officer and chief financial officer, interim CEO. Elsey, who is leaving behind his role as CEO and a member of the board, will continue to consult with the charity during its transition and plans to start a consultant group.
Excerpts from the announcement:
“(Elsey’s) efforts have improved the lives of millions of people, most of whom were hurting and desperate and lacking basic essentials like shoes on their feet,” the Soles4Souls board of directors said in a statement. “For hundreds of thousands more fortunate individuals, he’s galvanized us to a new level of charity and caring for others.”
As a successful shoe industry executive in 2004, Elsey was moved by the televised image of a single shoe washing up on a Southeast Asia shore after the tsunami. Wanting to make a difference in the lives that were so suddenly and tragically impacted by the disaster, he decided to contact a few friends as well as footwear industry leaders.
Since that time, Soles4Souls has responded with crisis relief aid to more than 40 natural disasters worldwide. The charity also assists individuals in developing nations and in the U.S. who cannot afford shoes, and to date, has distributed more than 17 million pairs of shoes across 127 countries.
“I am immeasurably proud of the team at Soles4Souls and of the world-wide impact our donors have had over the last six years,” said Elsey.
Mar 23, 2012, Brian Reisinger, Nashville Business Journal
