A Message from Outgoing CEO, Rhonda Oliver
Greetings HandsOn Community,
After 25 years with HandsOn Greater Phoenix and 20 years at the helm, the time has come to explore the next leg of life’s journey. I’m stepping down as CEO and making way for my friend and colleague of 15 years, Todd Byard to lead the organization.
My time at HandsOn has been my professional “happy place”. The work itself has been rewarding beyond measure. And the people I’ve worked with these many years, from staff and board to volunteers and nonprofit partners, are simply the best of humanity. I’ve forged relationships and connections that will last a lifetime.
This was not a decision made quickly or taken lightly. I have been working in partnership with our Board of Directors on a succession plan for the last 18 months around all elements of the transition to ensure that HandsOn Greater Phoenix doesn’t miss a beat in this process. And we are well positioned with an incredible team (both staff and board), a healthy financial position and solid programming that makes our Valley a better place to live and work.
Throughout 2025, I will continue to be part of the HandsOn staff behind the scenes, working on a few key initiatives and supporting Todd as needed. Beyond 2025, I will continue to volunteer with HandsOn, but pursue other professional opportunities on a contract basis, and spend more time with my family and in my garden.
It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of this community and I thank all of you being in service with me to lift up Greater Phoenix and the people who live here. Please welcome and support Todd in his new role- you couldn’t ask for a better person to lead HandsOn Greater Phoenix into the next chapter!
Yours In Service,
Rhonda Oliver
A Message from President and CEO, Todd Byard
Greetings HandsOn Family,
I’m honored to write to you as the newly appointed CEO for HandsOn Greater Phoenix. After 15 years working together with many of you, I step into this role with deep gratitude and a clear sense of purpose.
My work with HandsOn started as a volunteer where I quickly recognized the value HandsOn brings to our community by providing volunteers an easy way to plug into volunteer projects that extend the missions and visions of our hundreds of community service partners.
I’m focused and energized to continue to build on the foundation that our founder Marty Moore, outgoing CEO, Rhonda Oliver, our Board of Directors, and the many staff members and volunteers have built over the previous 32 years.
By developing and executing high impact service projects, our team is committed and equipped more than ever to respond to the ever-evolving needs of our community. Our mission to put volunteers to work where they’re needed most guides every project, every partnership, and every story of impact we’ve shared.
I’d love to hear from you. Your ideas, feedback, and experiences are important to our continued success. Over the coming months, I look forward to connecting, listening, and learning from you.
A special thank you to Rhonda, our Board Chair, Nancy Giles, and the rest of our Board for entrusting me with this position. They’ve provided unmatched care and attention to the succession plan and HandsOn sits in a financially healthy position with strong programing.
Another special thank you to our former Vice President, Chris Helmuth, who I met as a volunteer and decided to take a chance bringing me on staff.
I couldn’t be prouder to work for HandsOn alongside our amazing team and extended HandsOn family and hold closely the privilege it is to do this work. I’m excited for all we’ll accomplish together.
With gratitude,
Todd Byard
A Message from the Board
Ever since Rhonda Oliver first informally announced her intent to step down from the CEO role at HandsOn Greater Phoenix, the entire board has experienced a strange mix of sorrow and excitement. We could not have asked for a better CEO over these past 20 years than Rhonda, and it’s easy to wonder if we’ll be lost without her. With that said, she has done such an incredible job of leaving the organization in a financially and structurally advantageous place, that we can’t help but be excited for the next chapter!
In typical fashion, Rhonda has identified her perfect successor, and has provided him what he needs, in addition to what he already possesses, to be successful. Todd has risen up through HandsOn over the past 15 years, and we have all been working more closely with him over the past year. We could not ask for a better incoming CEO. Todd knows his stuff, makes measured, rational decisions, is happy to get his hands dirty, and, perhaps most importantly, is dedicated to the work we do at HandsOn to make our communities better through service.
Every organization needs to grow and avoid becoming stagnant, so as bittersweet as this moment is, we all know it’s something to be embraced, and that Todd will carve HandsOn’s path for the next generation. I am always a bit in awe that I get to serve on a Board for such a well-run organization.
I could go on and on (and on) about our leadership team, our board, our supporters and volunteers, and our community, but I will close by simply stating that I believe I speak for the entire Board when I say that HandsOn Greater Phoenix has been, and will be, in exceptionally good hands.
With gratitude,
Nancy Giles
Board Chair
.png){kind=logo}
Connect with Us!