A Boys & Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley official confirmed Sandra Silva, who was to assume the role of recently retired longtime leader Jim Ventress, is leaving the organization.

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LIttle detail was available Monday afternoon, as club board members such as Gloria Mercado-Fortine, had just received the news.

Silva was hired in April in anticipation of Ventress stepping down after 37 years with the Boys & Girls Club.

Related: Boys & Girls Club Of SCV’s Jim Ventress Honored By Santa Clarita For Service

“I was thinking, ‘Wow, this is a bit of surprise,’” said Mercado-Fortine, who’s not only a board member but also works with the club as a member of the Hart district’s governing board.

“(Silva) had a stellar background and experience, and certainly the skillset that the Boys & Girls Club was looking for,” she said.

Mercado-Fortine confirmed officials have received an email regarding Silva’s departure.

Silva underwent a three-month transition to the position she reportedly left Monday, Mercado-Fortine said.

She referred further comment regarding the details of Silva’s departure to governing board President Diane Fiero, who was not able to be reached for immediate comment Monday evening.

Related: Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club New Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Silva

From an earlier story regarding the hiring of Silva:

The board selected Silva based on her extensive leadership background in national non-profit organizations. Silva brings 25 years of experience as a nonprofit executive to her new role, recently serving as Vice President of Membership for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.

She also served as CEO of the Girl Scouts Spanish Trails Council, successfully leading the council into the 2008 GSGLA merger.  Prior to joining Girl Scouts, Silva served as CEO for the American Red Cross – Inland Valley Chapter, and as a senior executive with the American Cancer Society in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.  

A health educator and second grade teacher earlier in her career, Silva has been recognized for her leadership and service to the community as well as serving on boards of organizations dedicated to serving women and children.

She currently serves as a nonprofit management consultant, specializing in nonprofit transitions and is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach.  She will start working with the Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club as of April 2nd and takes the helm after Jim’s retirement as of July 1, 2014.

“Sandy comes to us with a wealth of experience in leadership, fundraising and team-building. She is a results-driven professional who we believe will build our capacity and help take us to the next level. As a Club kid in her youth, she understands firsthand the importance of our work with kids. We believe she has the right mix of dedication to youth and non-profit leadership experience needed to guide the Club’s continued growth and development,” stated Dr. Diane Fiero, Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club Governing Board President.

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