[RELEASE] Project HOME Names Donna Bullock as CEO
Bullock will take over day-to-day operations from Project HOME co-founders Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon this summer
Project HOME announced today that its Board of Trustees has selected Donna Bullock to lead the organization forward as its new CEO. Bullock, who has served as a Pennsylvania State Representative since 2015, will join Project HOME this summer and build upon the incredible work of co-founders Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon who, over the past 35 years, have grown Project HOME from a single emergency winter shelter into a nationally recognized model in addressing homelessness.
Bullock has a rich background in city and state government, coalition building, policymaking, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, project management and law. She has represented the 195th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the past nine years. The 195th District spans diverse neighborhoods in North Philadelphia and the Art Museum area, including the 19121 ZIP code where Project HOME focuses many of its resources. Throughout her time in office, Bullock’s legislative and policy priorities have closely aligned with the mission and work of Project HOME, including supporting children and youth experiencing homelessness, increasing opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses, expanding access to school meals and more. She served as Majority Chair for the Children and Youth Committee and Ethics Committee and is an experienced fundraiser who is adept in cultivating and maintaining relationships with key donors.
“On behalf of the Project HOME Board of Trustees, we believe Donna is an ideal candidate for this critical role and have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead this organization forward into its next chapter,” said Estelle Richman, chair of Project HOME’s Board of Trustees. “She possesses a unique combination of professional and personal experiences that will position her well for success – she’s collaborative, sensitive, values relationships and, perhaps most importantly, has a deep understanding of the dynamics of our city and the needs of the people we serve.”
"Throughout her career, Representative Donna Bullock has been focused on serving the people of Pennsylvania – working to tackle our toughest challenges and make Philadelphians' lives better, whether it was volunteering for local nonprofits or serving as the chair of the Legislative Black Caucus," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "Over 35 years, Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon built Project HOME into one of the most effective and important community organizations in the city and I can think of no one better to build on their legacy and expand their impact than Donna Bullock. Project HOME is in good hands, and I look forward to all the work we'll do together to serve the good people of Pennsylvania."
Prior to her time in office, Bullock served as a special assistant to Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke and as the City Council research fellowship director. Early in her career, she spent time in private law and worked for Philadelphia Community Legal Services, where she formed and advised nonprofit organizations, small businesses and community groups. Bullock earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a juris doctor from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law.
“It’s an incredible honor to step in to this role and work alongside the entire Project HOME community to provide housing, healthcare, education, job opportunities and more to the most vulnerable among us as we strive to alleviate and eliminate homelessness in Philadelphia,” said Bullock. “I’m living proof that these services make a difference. They helped break the cycle of poverty in my own family. This mission is personal to me, and I promise to dedicate myself to fulfilling it in the weeks, months and years ahead.”
Bullock’s appointment follows a months-long national search for new leadership. A search committee, led by Trustee Joyce Wilkerson, Richman and other Trustees, worked with McCormack+Kristel, a national provider of executive search consulting services specializing in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, to oversee the process.
“Donna is compassionate, servant-minded and mission-driven,” said Scullion. “She’s spent her career advocating for the underserved, fighting to ensure everyone has a voice. I’m certain she’ll bring that same fighting spirit to her work at Project HOME and I look forward to supporting her as we strive to make our vision a reality: None of us are home until all of us are home.”
As they transition out of their day-to-day roles as Executive Director and Associate Executive Director, Scullion and McConnon will remain actively involved in Project HOME. Scullion will be leading onboarding and transition efforts through December 31, 2024 and McConnon will stay on through July 31, 2024. Beyond that, both will consult on the Estadt-Lubert Collaborative for Housing and Recovery, a groundbreaking collaborative changing the way the opioid epidemic is addressed for individuals experiencing homelessness, through 2028.
