Jenny Macke Transition from Executive Director Position
“Just figure out how to love life, how to trust it, how to stand in awe of it, how to enjoy it. Stay alert and be aware—life has a way of drawing you in, of insisting upon your involvement. The world, with all its wild and clamoring demands, will find you soon enough.” — Nick Cave
Do you listen to your heart song and let life draw you in? I did when I accepted the role of Executive Director at Rite of Passage Journeys. At the time, I had clear career plans~this job wasn’t part of them. Yet it tugged at my heart, and I began to dream of possibility.
Possibility of:
• bringing embodiment and its resiliency resources into rites of passage work
• weaving soul into organizational leadership
• sharing the parenting wisdom I had gathered while raising my kids
• and giving back to this organization that guided me on my own vision quest eight years ago
That last one was the truest calling. I wanted to give back. And I feel I have ~ with all of me. Now it’s time to follow the next wild leanings of life.
When I first accepted this position, I told the board that I envisioned a three-to-five-year tenure as Executive Director, and they agreed. Three years later, after a spring Vision Quest of deep listening, I received a clear vision and a dream asking for more quiet, both inside and around me. The land where I live and the community of beings I share it with are calling me to be more rooted on the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River.
I’ve spent much of the year in Bothell, and it’s time to live more fully on the land I call home. At the same time, I can feel the traveler in me waking up, longing to spend far more time in wild places during the summer, something I’ve supported others to do in recent years but haven’t done enough myself.
I’ve shared my decision with the board and will complete my tenure as Executive Director at the end of 2025. The board has already begun the search for the next person to lead Journeys. You’ll find the job description below. If someone comes to mind who could serve this beautiful organization well, please pass it along. They will be stepping into a role filled with ceremony, connection, and the privilege of witnessing transformation ~ a counterbalance to a world longing for another way.
It has been a true joy to serve Rite of Passage Journeys. The guides are gold. The board members are among the most loving people I know. And the full-time staff who have woven in and out during my tenure have each offered their gifts to the mission in unique and beautiful ways. Thanks Jakob, Chris, Tarek & Kiana.
I’m especially grateful to West, our Operations and Outreach Manager, for being such a thoughtful and steady anchor; to Patricia our bookkeeper for support and also a thoughtful ear; to Akasha ~ as a leader for this next generation, for sharing her vision and passion for rites of passage; and to Skyler, who stepped forward this winter to tend key program areas as we navigate staff transitions. Deep gratitude also to those who’ve moved on to other endeavors, you’ve each helped shape this organization.
The next Executive Director will begin from a strong foundation, supported by the thoughtful feedback of guides, board, and staff, and will carry forward the shared vision of making this profound work even more sustainable and impactful.
I welcome any touch-ins or connections in the future. You can find me and my embodiment, parent coaching & nature guiding work at www.jennymacke.com, and I hope we’ll stay in touch there. I expect I’ll continue to guide for Rite of Passage Journeys through our Soulful Leadership Program and perhaps an Adult Quest in the future.
In the new year, I’ll be taking a bit of a sabbatical—some deep rest and a generous space for curiosity and renewal. It feels well-earned and much needed.
