HARRISBURG, Penn., October 31, 2022 – Americans for Fair Treatment announced today that Chief Executive Officer, David Osborne, will step down from his position for health reasons.
“I’ve decided to resign as CEO of AFFT due to health problems that require immediate attention,” said Osborne.
“I’m proud of the work I’ve done but believe someone else with greater flexibility will be better suited to leading this organization; AFFT continues—and should continue—to experience a steep growth curve, with so many exciting opportunities for growth and success,” he added.
“I’m excited to pass the baton to Elisabeth Messenger, who’s been with AFFT since 2020. As a former public employee, Elisabeth understands the difficult situation AFFT members have been placed in by their public-sector union officials. As an executive, Elisabeth helped build AFFT and will bring renewed energy and growth to the organization. And as a friend, Elisabeth will generously give her time and attention to those around her,” Osborne said.
“Fortunately, I’ll be able to work alongside AFFT and our other allies in Pennsylvania as Senior Fellow, Labor Policy with the Commonwealth Foundation,” said Osborne. “This is an exciting chance to continue helping public employees in a capacity for which I’m better suited right now.”
Effective immediately, Elisabeth Messenger, the organization’s current National Executive Director, will serve as AFFT’s Interim Chief Executive Officer.
“AFFT is comprised of a tremendous team of individuals, and I am honored to support them in this new role as we work together to continue serving public servants. AFFT is writing a new chapter that empowers public servants and gives them a voice in the face of unprecedented union corruption,” said Messenger.
Messenger started her career in the publicity department at Atlantic Records in Los Angeles, CA. From there, she learned how to build organizations that would impact culture through positions in operations and business development at Universal Music Group, VEVO, and Beats Music.
In 2016, she transitioned into working with liberty-focused non-profits, with a particular focus on public-sector labor reform. She served as Executive Vice President of the Palmetto Promise Institute in South Carolina, where she grew up, and then became Executive Vice President at the Yankee Institute in Connecticut.
Elisabeth holds a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina, and her advertising work in grassroots labor reform has won two Reed awards.