Kristin Byrnes Stepping Down as CEO and President of Project Access

NEWPORT BEACH, California, March 19, 2015 – Kristin Byrnes, CEO and president of Newport Beach, California-based nonprofit Project Access, has announced that she will be leaving the organization after 11 years when a successor is found. She joined Project Access in 2004 as executive vice president of Resident Services.

“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life,” said Byrnes. “During the past five years as the CEO and president, I along with my team, have grown our revenue from $2.6 million to over $4 million, allowing Project Access to serve over 11,000 individuals annually. Recognizing the commitment needed to take Project Access to the next level, I have decided to focus my attention on being a great wife and a mom to two wonderful little girls.

“Fortunately, this organization is in great financial shape and deserves a leader who can be all-in and energized for the next level of growth,” she said. “While that can’t be me, I am confident that Project Access will benefit tremendously from the strength and experience of its new leader and superb staff who will successfully carry out the inspiring vision and mission that has been established.”

She said that Project Access strives to be the leading provider of vital on-site health, education and employment services to families, children and seniors living in California, Arizona and Colorado.

“We wish Kristin well and thank her for her many years of service and for growing the organization from having a staff of just nine to over 60 and expanding operations from eight to over 60 Resource Centers across three states,” said Project Access Founder and Chairman of the Board Jonathan B. Webb, president of Affordable Housing Access, Inc.

In 2014, the Orange County Register named Byrnes one of the county's 100 Most Influential People, considered to be among the year's top game changers, innovators and newsmakers. She brought more than 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector in areas that include leadership, strategic planning, program development, business development, and organizational development. Prior to joining Project Access, she held various leadership positions in nonprofit organizations over a period of 10 years.

The Resource Centers operated by Project Access foster a culture of change by assisting over 11,000 residents from a broad range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds to improve their lives through education, employment, wellness and financial capability, among other programs.

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