Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) has named Linda Eaves its executive director.

Eaves replaces Lauren LaViola, who joined CORE in 2011 and has served as its executive director since 2013. LaViola will transition into a role overseeing development and partnerships for CORE.

“Linda brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, tourism/hospitality, development and marketing,” says Joe Smith, CORE board chair. “Linda’s passion for CORE’s mission and leadership expertise—along with Lauren’s strengths in fundraising and partnerships—will help set the stage for CORE to continue to grow and serve more families in need.”

Eaves was previously the executive director of Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL), a nonprofit in Wichita, KS that provides GED test preparation and English language classes for adult learners. Her nonprofit experience also includes serving as executive director of the YWCA of Abilene, Texas.

Her career also includes running a communications consulting firm and serving in tourism leadership roles in Tennessee and Kentucky. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.