Calmer Choice, a thought leader in secular mindfulness and social-emotional health and wellbeing in schools and communities, today announced that Emily Smalley has been chosen as its next Chief Executive Officer.
Smalley will succeed Fiona Jensen, founder and current Chief Executive Officer of Calmer Choice, who will retire on December 31, 2021, after more than a decade at the helm of the nonprofit.
“Calmer Choice has been successful beyond my wildest dreams, evolving from a grassroots effort from concerned parents and community members to operating in over 33 schools and a variety of community-based organizations on Cape Cod,” said Jensen. “I am immensely proud of what we as a team have accomplished and the lives we have touched during the past 11 years. Under Emily’s leadership, I am confident the organization will continue to thrive and deliver new and innovative mindfulness programs to children and adults across Cape Cod and beyond.”
Smalley, who joined Calmer Choice in 2017, previously served as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.
“We are so fortunate to have Emily as our next CEO,” said John Fulone, Chair of the Calmer Choice Board of Directors. “Since joining Calmer Choice four years ago, Emily has played a key role in developing, implementing and updating our long-term strategic plan, formalizing our operations and programming, and most recently leading us through the pandemic. Emily has forged relationships with many friends of Calmer Choice and will no doubt grow and expand our reach in her new role. We couldn’t be happier for Emily or more excited about what lies ahead for Calmer Choice.”
Prior to joining Calmer Choice, Smalley held senior leadership positions at several Boston-area nonprofits and educational institutions, including Scholar Athletes, Cristo Rey Boston High School, McLean Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston and the Harvard School of Public Health. As a woman in long-term recovery as well as someone who has experienced her own health and wellness concerns, Smalley is well-equipped to lead Calmer Choice, an organization that seeks to support and improve the outcome for many of these very same challenges.
“I am honored to have been chosen to lead Calmer Choice into its next decade of service, which I am confident will be magical and transformative for the Cape Cod community and beyond,” said Smalley. “I wish Fiona Jensen a long, healthy and well-deserved retirement and will strive to honor her legacy as we guide Calmer Choice to its next era of growth and accomplishment.”
Smalley holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has also earned certificates in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Tufts University and Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
Headquartered in South Yarmouth, Mass., Calmer Choice teaches secular mindfulness-based social-emotional education in Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts schools, businesses, and communities. The organization collaborates with administrators and educators to provide full-school programs that build a culture of mindfulness and kindness across entire schools. These partnerships are growing and extend well beyond school systems and into the community at large.