Executive Leadership Transition at The Carpentries
Today, The Carpentries’ Board of Directors announces a significant leadership transition. Dr Kari L. Jordan will step down as Executive Director on 1 September 2026, after six years of leading the organisation. Associate Director Erin Becker will also step down after ten years of service. Beginning 2 September, Dr SherAaron Hurt, currently Director of Workshops and Training, will serve as Interim Executive Director.
Kari joined Data Carpentry in May 2016 as Deputy Director of Assessment, and became The Carpentries’ Acting Executive Director in January 2020 and was appointed Executive Director later that year. Under her leadership, The Carpentries navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, became an independent 501(c)(3) organisation, expanded its global community and training programs, introduced a new Partnership Program, and completed its 2020–2025 Strategic Plan. She also led the development of The Carpentries’ 2026–2028 Bridge Strategic Plan and helped position the organisation to respond to the changing research and education landscape brought about by artificial intelligence.
From Kari:
“Serving The Carpentries has been one of the greatest honours of my career. I am deeply grateful to the Core Team, Board, Instructors, Trainers, Maintainers, volunteers, partners and learners who have trusted me to lead this community. Together, we have strengthened an organisation that helps people build the skills and confidence to work with data and code. I believe this transition gives The Carpentries the best opportunity to protect that mission and continue evolving for the future.”
Erin has served The Carpentries as Associate Director from May 2016 and has been instrumental in strengthening its operations, programs and organisational systems. Her contributions have shaped how The Carpentries supports its staff, community, and partners. We are deeply grateful for the care, expertise and commitment she has brought to the organisation.
From Erin:
“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to support The Carpentries community for the past ten years. This resilient community has continually adapted to the challenges of our changing world, and I am confident that you all will carry our values and mission forward for many years to come. I can’t wait to see what is next for The Carpentries.”
Responding to a changing financial environment
This transition comes at a challenging time for The Carpentries and many organisations working across research, higher education, and open science. Demand for Carpentries training remains strong. At the same time, reductions in university funding have eliminated or reduced the training budgets of several long-standing institutional partners, and anticipated gap funding was not secured.
After carefully considering the organisation’s financial position, Kari and Erin determined that stepping down was the most responsible decision for The Carpentries’ long-term sustainability. Their departures are part of a broader restructuring that will significantly reduce operating costs and allow the organisation to continue its essential work with a smaller Core Team and a more focused programme portfolio.
Some Core Team positions and working hours will also be affected by the restructuring. We will share more details about these changes on our blog this week. We recognise the significant personal impact of these decisions and are committed to treating every affected team member with dignity, care and respect.
These changes are difficult, but The Carpentries is not closing. The organisation will continue delivering training, stewarding active grants and partnerships, supporting our global community and fulfilling our confirmed commitments. Some programmes and activities will be reduced, paused or concluded so that available resources can be concentrated on the work that is most essential to the organisation’s mission and sustainability. Once again, we will share more information about specific programme changes as soon as these decisions have been finalised.
Leadership for the next phase
SherAaron brings extensive knowledge of The Carpentries’ programmes, community and operations to the Interim Executive Director role. She will lead the continuing Core Team, steward the organisation’s grants and partnerships, and work closely with the Board to implement the revised operating model.
From SherAaron:
“Nine years ago, I started working for The Carpentries as a part-time employee, and then as Workshop and Logistics Manager, never imagining it would grow into a career and a community that means so much to me. I fell in love with this community and its passion for spreading knowledge openly. At the time, I didn’t even know what Open Science was, but I quickly fell in love with this community and its passion for spreading knowledge openly. Along the way, the Core Team became my family. I am beyond grateful and humbled to step into the role of Interim Executive Director and lead this amazing organisation into its next chapter. I’m excited for what’s ahead and beyond honoured to support our continuing Core Team and community while keeping our mission at the heart of everything we do.”
The Board has appointed SherAaron for a 6-month interim term, providing continuity while The Carpentries stabilises its finances, implements its revised programme and staffing model, and considers its longer-term leadership needs. The Board will share information about the process for selecting a permanent Executive Director when that process has been determined.
From Phil Brooks, Chair of the Board of Directors:
“Kari and Erin have each made extraordinary contributions to The Carpentries, and the Board is deeply grateful for their leadership, commitment and care for this community. These are difficult changes, involving colleagues and friends who have given a great deal to the organisation. As we navigate this transition, the Board’s responsibility is to protect The Carpentries’ mission while putting the organisation on sustainable footing for the future. We have great confidence in SherAaron’s leadership, vision and dedication to this community. We will work closely with her and the continuing Core Team through this next phase. Together we are committed to approaching the work ahead with transparency, care and a clear focus on the long term health of The Carpentries and the community we serve.”
Kari will work closely with SherAaron, the continuing Core Team and the Board through 1 September to transfer organisational knowledge, decision-making responsibilities, grant and partner relationships, and key operational functions. Funders, partners and other stakeholders with active relationships will receive updated points of contact.
Continuing the work
The Carpentries’ mission remains as important as ever. As data, computing and generative AI reshape research and education, people need inclusive, evidence-based learning experiences that help them develop practical skills, confidence and community. The Carpentries will continue contributing its expertise in learner-centred teaching, open curriculum development and community-led training to this changing environment.
The organisation will also continue collaborating with the AI Carpentry project to develop and pilot its AI Carpentry curricula. This work will help educators and researchers engage thoughtfully with generative AI while enabling The Carpentries to test approaches for keeping its curricula current as the technology evolves.
We know that members of our community will have questions. A leadership transition FAQ provides additional information and will be updated as further decisions are made. Questions may also be directed to team@carpentries.org.
We extend our deep appreciation to Kari and Erin for their leadership and service, to the Core Team members whose work has strengthened this organisation, and to the global Carpentries community for continuing to teach, learn, contribute and care for one another. Additional updates concerning specific roles and programmes impacted by this reorganisation are forthcoming. We intend to provide a more comprehensive breakdown of these developments via our blog.
The Carpentries’ next chapter will require intention, creativity and partnership. We remain committed to navigating it with transparency, responsibility and care.
Dr Phil Brooks (Chair of the Board), Dr Kari L. Jordan (Executive Director/CEO), and Dr Erin Becker (Associate Director/COO)