I recently made the difficult decision to step down as executive director of StopBadware. Though I didn’t start StopBadware—credit for that goes to John Palfrey, Jonathan Zittrain, and their collaborators—it has been my adopted baby for over five years now. What once was an energetic and chaotic Berkman Center project is now an independent (though still energetic and at times chaotic) nonprofit organization working together with many of the world’s greatest Web companies. I’m proud of the contributions I’ve made to StopBadware’s success, and I’m gratified that the organization has matured to a point that I can feel comfortable passing the reins to someone else. In fact, it’s not just that I feel comfortable doing so; I actually look forward to it. After five years, I think StopBadware will benefit from some fresh ideas and a new vision of what can be accomplished by leveraging the organization’s dynamic team, supportive partners, impressive board of directors, and positive reputation.

I believe the change will do me good, as well. During my time at StopBadware, I’ve built relationships with a lot of amazing people and learned from a boatload of mistakes (and the occasional success). I’m ready to take that experience into a new environment with new types of problems to solve. A reboot for my professional soul, if you will.

Some people have asked me where, specifically, I’m headed. I’m still exploring my options, but I do have some ideas of what I’m looking for. I know I want to remain in greater Boston, though I’m open to some travel. I’d like to make the best possible use of my experience leading a team and an organization. I enjoy building external relationships, public speaking, and otherwise interacting with people. Remaining in the security field would be ideal, though another area of interest is the intersection of technology and education. And, perhaps most of all, I want to feel good about what I’m contributing to my organization and what my organization is contributing to the world. Private sector? Nonprofit? Government? I’m open; it all depends on the fit.

Meanwhile, I’m not walking out the door at StopBadware until we’ve found a new executive director. Please, if you know a strong candidate, pass along the job description. And if you’re a strong candidate, let the Board’s search committee know why by sending a cover letter and resume to execsearch@stopbadware.org.