Karen Rutledge, Shangri-La’s current CEO, has announced that she will be retiring in May 2018. Rutledge has served the organization as CEO since May 2013. She started with the organization in 1989 and has held various leadership roles since.
Her leadership over the years helped Shangri-La start several new programs including housing services for adults with chronic mental illness, a correctional education program for men and women incarcerated in Oregon prisons, and most recently an outpatient mental health clinic.
“It is time to shift my focus to my health and my family”, said Rutledge in a retirement announcement to Shangri-La employees. “I have been humbled and proud to be Shangri-La’s CEO. I have valued the relationships and connections with our community. I am confident that Shangri-La is in a good place and that new leadership will infuse energy and enthusiasm in taking the organization into the future.”
Shangri-La’s board of directors, with assistance from Shangri-La’s human resources department, is leading the recruitment process for a new CEO.