Children's Legal & Educational Resource Centre Announces Completion of Transition From Founder to New CEO & Executive Director

CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - July 07, 2016) - The Board of Directors of Children's Legal & Educational Resource Centre (CLERC) is very pleased to announce Danielle Doll's new title of CEO & Executive Director. Ms. Doll has been the organization's Executive Director since February 2016 and the addition of CEO to her title commemorates the conclusion of the transition of leadership from founder, Dale Hensley, Q.C. Ms. Doll holds a Masters of Business Administration in Executive Management and has over 18 years of experience in the legal and professional services industries. Ms. Doll was previously the principal in the management consulting firm GovernancePro Corporate Services Inc. where she acquired a strong background in not-for-profit and charitable oversight.

At the same time, CLERC would like to announce that CLERC's founder and former Executive Director, Dale Hensley Q.C., has stepped-down from the management team effective June 30, 2016. The Board of Directors of CLERC is incredibly grateful for all that Ms. Hensley has accomplished since she founded CLERC in 2002. Ms. Hensley's committment to championing the rights, interests and viewpoints of young people for over a decade was recognized with the 2013 Women in Law Leadership in the Community Award. We look forward to working with Danielle and her staff to continue Ms. Hensley's legacy at CLERC, and extend our thanks to her for creating an innovative and successful organization that continues to serve the legal needs of vulnerable children and youth in our community.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Dale for her dedication and leadership over the past 14 years," said Brett Anderson, Chair. "She has been a tireless champion of child and youth rights. We wish her the best in her future endeavours and continued success in the next chapter of her distinguished career. The Board of Directors also congratulates Danielle on her appointment, and looks forward to continuing our work with her."

Ms. Hensley will continue to support CLERC's delivery of legal services through a contract role with CLERC as Senior Legal Counsel providing direct services to children and youth through our Young Voices, Healthy Lives program. Ms. Hensley will also assist with training and mentorship to our staff lawyers and students-at-law.

Questions about any aspect of CLERC including fundraising, new initiatives, current programming or media inquiries, should be directed to Ms. Doll.

About CLERC

CLERC is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable young people through our legal work. We are the only registered charity in Western Canada providing specialized legal support to vulnerable children and youth at no cost to them. Since 2002, our staff and volunteer lawyers have provided legal information, advice and representation to young people caught up in their parents' high conflict custody and access disputes, as well as legal support in civil law matters (guardianship, independent living, pregnancy/parenting, employment, return of property and landlord/tenant). As legal specialists in dealing with children and youth, we also provide education and pro bono opportunities to lawyers looking to give back to the community. CLERC does not provide legal support on criminal matters or to children involved in child protection proceedings. Those young people are referred to government funded agencies: The Youth Criminal Defence Office of Legal Aid Alberta and The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate, respectively.