Return brought closure

Following his unexpected resignation as executive director of Mennonite Central Committee on Oct. 23, Robb Davis and some of his colleagues at MCC had some unfinished business – processing why he left the relief agency and looking ahead to MCC’s future.

Davis, as well as interim executive director Bert Lobe, admit there were unresolved conflicts that had to be addressed after Davis’ departure. Both believe reconciliation was found.

Davis said though he initially cast blame on others at MCC for his decision to resign, he ultimately placed the burden on himself. “I have to own up and acknowledge my own immaturity in this,” Davis said in an interview May 4. “I wasn’t a mature enough leader. A mature leader would have stuck it out, and at a certain point I just wasn’t ready to do that.”

Davis’ departure was discussed at a gathering of MCC leaders in January, after which Lobe and Davis decided he should return to the agency’s Akron, Pa., headquarters for a formal farewell and to help clear the air.

This gathering was held March 7. “It was a very impactful meeting,” said MCC U.S. executive director Rolando Santiago.

Lobe said helping Davis make peace with his decision to leave was vital not only for Davis but to MCC’s ability to move forward. “I think the first thing we feel is that we stumbled,” Lobe said June 9. “The most important thing we can do is lend each other a hand when we’re falling.”

—RR