In a letter published earlier this week, Cassie Haynes announced that she is stepping down from Resolve Philly.

Haynes, along with Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, co-founded Resolve Philly in August 2018. 

Since it was founded, the news platform has been intent on challenging the field of journalism to be more equitable, accessible, collaborative, and informed through community voices and solutions. 

Haynes’ journey to co-founding and co-leading Resolve Philly began in 2011, when she moved to Philadelphia to begin her career as an attorney.

However, she quickly realized that “lawyering was not my mighty purpose,” said Haynes. 

From there, her career took various turns from roles at the City to starting her own company and other roles in between. 

Each step taken “ended up stepping into exactly what I knew I was meant to do,” said Haynes.

After conversations with Friedman-Rudovsky turned from casual to serious, the two of them would embark on a year-long reporting project that would evolve into Resolve Philly.

Over the past four-plus years, Resolve Philly has gone from a scrappy startup team of just its two co-founders to over two dozen leaders from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds and experiences. 

The growth and impact of Resolve Philly helped Haynes and Friedman-Rudovsky receive an AL DÍA Women of Merit honor last year. 

“As I reflect on my time here, I am struck by how much I have learned and grown both personally and professionally,” Haynes shares. ”Resolve has had a profound impact on my sense of self and my capacity for leadership. Working with Jean, in particular, has challenged my understanding of what is possible in the best, most inspiring way imaginable.”

She added that she is “leaving the role of Co-Executive Director as a more strategic and dynamic leader, a more empathetic collaborator, and a more authentic version of myself.”

As Resolve Philly goes into this current transition period and into a new iteration of its leadership, Haynes will serve as a thought partner to Friedman-Rudovsky as she decides what’s next. 

“I don’t know exactly what the future will bring, but I’m ready for it to unfold,” she said. 

Whatever turn that future may take, Haynes’ legacy will always be one of a shapeshifter and thought leader in the Philadelphia media landscape, alongside Friedman-Rudovsky.

Haynes’ final day with Resolve Philly is June 2, 2023.