Major Ashland nonprofit services provider has transition plan to replace Cass Sinclair, who is moving on to an as-yet-undisclosed job in the region

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news 

Cass Sinclair will be leaving her role as executive director of nonprofit Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance to “pursue a new career opportunity,” according to a message sent to OHRA supporters and signed by Board President Cathy Gerbracht on Tuesday. 

“We are confident that you join us — the entire board and OHRA’s incredible staff — in recognizing Cass’ innovative and mission-driven leadership and her unmatched commitment to people in need in our community. … let me assure you that we have a plan in place for this transition and promise to recruit a new executive director with the same level of expertise and commitment,” Gerbracht wrote in the message. 

Sinclair has served as executive director for three years, with five total years at OHRA, and will remain in her position until Oct. 4. She will then work as a consultant for three months to help train her successor, the message said. 

Highlights of Sincalir’s career with OHRA were included in the message, such as overseeing a $1.6 million renovation of the OHRA center in the former Super 8 Motel on Ashland Street at Washington Steet and establishing partnerships with other service providers. Since opening the center in April 2021, 460 houseless families were housed and 599 families spared from eviction, the message said. 

Sinclair oversaw the organization during a time of rapid expansion. When she joined OHRA in 2019, the organization had five paid staff and a budget of $240,000 dollars. By 2024, the organization had 46 staff members and a $2.6 million budget, according to previous reporting by Ashland.news. Sinclair also oversaw partnerships with the city of Ashland to operate its severe weather shelter and emergency shelter in 2023, according to the story. 

Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Sinclair said she cares deeply about her new career opportunity but could not yet disclose it. She described OHRA as “her baby,” and expressed optimism for the coming change. 

“It’s been amazing to build this organization, it’s such a unique model and it’s working. My hope is the next executive director will come in and take us to the next level, really deepen the mission,” she said. 

In the message sent by Gerbracht, Sinclair focused on gratitude to those she worked with. 

“The greatest gift of all has been all the people along the way. My staff, the board, our donors and grantors, our community partners and our volunteers. I’m so grateful to each and every one of you for making OHRA a pillar of support in our community,” Sinclair is quoted as stating in the message. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].