PITTSFIELD — Melissa Canavan will be stepping down as the executive director of the Berkshire Immigrant Center at the end of May, the organization said Friday.
Canavan will depart after three years at the helm of the nonprofit, which advocates for immigrants, connects them with local resources and assists them with navigating the legal system.
“This decision comes as my family prepares for a move to New York City, and while it is not easy to step away from work that has meant so much to me, I do so with great confidence in BIC’s future,” Canavan wrote Friday in the organization’s newsletter.
In addition to expressing gratitude for her staff and board of directors, Canavan said she was confident the organization would continue to thrive after her departure.
“We have spent the last several years building the internal systems and operational depth necessary to ensure that BIC remains a stable and trusted resource for immigrant families across the Berkshires, regardless of leadership changes,” she wrote.
Canavan took over as executive director in 2023. She succeeded Michelle Lopez, who left the role in late 2022; in between, Lorena Dus served as interim director.
Against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, Canavan broadened the center’s educational offerings by providing monthly updates on immigration policy and expanded “Know Your Rights” presentations. She also established a three-year strategic plan for the organization focused on mission clarity and program expansion, among other priorities, according to a press release.
“One of the biggest challenges was responding to the speed and intensity of policy changes while remaining a steady, trusted resource for immigrant families,” Canavan told The Eagle in an email. “It took an immense amount of effort to stay current on new developments and understand how they would affect clients who were already trying to navigate the process.”
Canavan was raised in southern California and relocated to the Berkshires in 2015. She studied dance at California State University, Long Beach, and previously worked at Jacob’s Pillow. The Berkshire Immigrant Center said Canavan, as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, brought “firsthand experience of the challenges faced by newcomers to the U.S.” when she began the role.
An interim director has not yet been appointed. Jim Ayres previously served as interim executive director from October to March while Canavan was on parental leave, according to the center’s Facebook page.
Josh Hochberg, board president, said in an email that “the search for a permanent successor is just getting underway, so we are not yet in a position to project a firm timeline.”
A job posting for the executive director position is now live on the center’s website, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants should have demonstrated leadership experience in nonprofit work, public service or a related field. Candidates with lived experience as an immigrant, as well as fluency in Spanish or another language, are encouraged to apply.
The job posting does not list a salary range. BIC did not provide one when asked, stating that “specific salary discussions will take place directly with candidates as part of the search process.” Canavan made $48,061 in the role in 2023, the most recent year for which tax filings are available through the Internal Revenue Service.
“I hope BIC’s next Executive Director brings a deep commitment to the mission, strong leadership skills, and real respect for both the staff and the community we serve,” Canavan said. “This is a role that requires steadiness, compassion, adaptability, and the ability to think strategically while staying grounded in the day-to-day realities of the work.”