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Leader lets go of her pet project

Eckerd Youth Alternatives chief executive Karen Waddell says it's time to move on after almost eight years at the helm of the nonprofit.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published July 23, 2006

Karen Waddell still isn't quite sure why she was tapped to head one of Florida's leading nonprofits for at-risk youth.

But after almost eight years as chief executive officer of Eckerd Youth Alternatives, she is certain that she has given her all to the organization and that it's time to move on.

Waddell, 56, announced her resignation from the decades-old organization last week.

"It's the hardest decision I've had to make in my life," Waddell said from her Clearwater office. "But the organization has matured beyond my greatest dreams, and it's time to take it to the next level."

The program was founded by philanthropists Jack and Ruth Eckerd in the late 1960s. At first, the vision was a wilderness camp in Central Florida aimed to rehabilitate troubled youth through teamwork and character building.

Today, the nonprofit organization offers about 40 programs, including wilderness camps, family services and aftercare to more than 9,000 youngsters in eight states.

Those close to the organization said a lot of that growth had to do with Waddell's leadership.

"Karen's enthusiasm, energy and passion for kids infused the entire organization and helped carry my father's vision forward," said Eckerd Youth Alternatives board chairman Jim Swann, son of the late Jack Eckerd.

Therapy over punishment has always been a guiding philosophy at Eckerd Youth Alternatives.

The Eckerds hoped that allowing children to express their feelings, while working toward common goals such as surviving in a wilderness camp or canoeing upstream, would build their confidence and in turn help them make better choices.

By the late 1990s, the foundation of the program was set, and it was time to expand.

Waddell was recruited for the post during her tenure as president of the Community Hospitals of Central California Foundation in Fresno, Calif.

During her four years there, she helped the organization raise more than $1-million a year and strategized a plan for long-term giving.

Before leading the foundation, Waddell spent a decade running her own marketing and public relations agency in her hometown of Oklahoma City, as well as working in marketing development for several hospitals in that area.

Still, for all of her business savvy, arriving at Eckerd Youth Alternatives was an eye-opener.

"I never knew there were so many kids with so many problems in this country," Waddell said.

She decided that by giving the community more stake in the program, it could reach more youngsters. In the last five years, she worked to build relationships with churches, schools and the government.

"We told them, 'We aren't just wilderness camps,' " Waddell said. "We told them, 'We're a program that gives kids what they need.' "

During her tenure, the program not only increased its operating budget from $58-million to $92-million, but the organization also expanded to offer services in Ohio.

The board of directors, previously occupied by only the Eckerd family, now includes Karen Brown Dunlap, president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a nonprofit organization that owns the St. Petersburg Times, and Stewart Turley, former chief executive officer of the Eckerd Corp.

"My goal was to build the infrastructure," Waddell said. "I wanted to make it so the organization could go forward."

In the transient world of nonprofits, retaining a CEO for eight years is no small accomplishment.

"Her original commitment was only five years," organization spokesman Tom Denham said. "She really loved the kids, and she loved working with Mrs. Eckerd."

Waddell's resignation came the same week as the death of Ruth Eckerd, who co-founded Eckerd Youth Alternatives.

Mrs. Eckerd and Waddell had forged a close friendship during her tenure.

"She was one of the most gracious, powerful, wonderful people I've ever met," Waddell said.

The board of directors has launched a nationwide search for Waddell's replacement.

She will stay with the organization until the end of August, although she has agreed to be available until the end of the year to assist the organization through the transition period.

On Wednesday afternoon, Waddell reflected on her next move.

There have been offers, in and out of state, she said. For now, she said, she will do some consulting work.

"Our country has not decided how we'll take care of kids," she said. "We haven't figured out if we'll treat them or punish them.

"I think we need to set a policy that until you've reached the age of accountability, our role as adults is to give you all the help you need to build you up."

In the next breath, Waddell, a statuesque brunette with hazel eyes, mentioned her three grandchildren - one only days old - all of whom live outside of Florida. And how deep down inside, she's still a small-town Oklahoma girl who prefers weekly Bible study meetings to skyscrapers.

"But I don't know that I'm ready to move," she said. "I like to know we can be used at any given stage in our life to do anything. I'll never be apart from this mission, I will continue to work to help these children in some way."

Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4162.

[Last modified July 22, 2006, 20:30:00]