Interfaith Works Welcomes Lauren Puryear as Chief Executive Officer

Interfaith Works is pleased to announce the selection of Lauren Puryear as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. A mission-driven nonprofit executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience across homelessness services, behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and community-based programming, Puryear will lead Interfaith Works in advancing its mission to support its neighbors in need by providing vital services and a pathway to stability.

“Interfaith Works serves more than 35,000 Montgomery County residents each year through shelter, housing, workforce development, and essential needs services,” said Debra Munk, Chair of the Interfaith Works Board of Directors.

“As demand for these services continues to grow, Lauren’s deep operational expertise, strategic leadership, and longstanding commitment to dignity, equity, and systems change make her exceptionally well-positioned to lead Interfaith Works into its next chapter.”

Before joining Interfaith Works, Puryear served as State Director of Operations at St. John’s Community Services, where she oversaw a $20 million portfolio spanning multiple states and led organizational growth, operational modernization, and service expansion initiatives supporting vulnerable populations. Previously, she held executive leadership roles at Covenant House Greater Washington and Volunteers of America Chesapeake, where she launched new housing and supportive services programs, strengthened organizational systems, and advanced regional responses to homelessness and housing instability.

“I am honored to join Interfaith Works and continue building on its extraordinary legacy of service and community partnership,” said Puryear. “Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to ensuring that individuals and families facing crisis are met with dignity, compassion, and meaningful opportunities for stability and growth. I look forward to partnering with staff, board members, volunteers, and community stakeholders to advance Interfaith Works’ critical mission.”

Puryear advanced through an extensive national search led in partnership with Good Insight, an award-winning, Washington, DC-based executive search firm with an exclusive focus on nonprofits, associations, and foundations. She will begin her new role on June 1.