After less than two years at the helm of the Sunlight Foundation, Christopher Gates is headed for the exit.
Sunlight Foundation co-founder Michael Klein announced today that Gates, who was appointed president of the government transparency nonprofit in September 2014, is stepping aside while the foundation searches for a new executive director.
Klein did not specify a reason for Gates’ departure in his announcement. A spokesperson for the Sunlight Foundation declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Gates’ exit.
Gates addressed the transition in a Facebook post, noting that “it’s time for me to move on to find my next challenge.”
Klein praised Gates’ tenure in a statement to Poynter.
“He has worked incredibly hard over the past year to prepare us to pursue a refreshed vision as we enter our second decade,” Klein said. “We thank him for all he’s done.”
Gates joined Sunlight from the Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement, where he was executive director. Before that, he was president of the National Civic League and co-director of the United States Healthy Communities Initiative.
His last day is today, according to a Sunlight Foundation spokesperson.
